Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority
Dates
- Existence: 1963 - Present
Biography
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) was created by the Pennsylvania legislature on August 17, 1963, to coordinate government subsidies to various transit and railroad companies in southeastern Pennsylvania. It commenced on February 18, 1964.
On November 1, 1965, SEPTA absorbed two predecessor agencies: 1. The Passenger Service Improvement Corporation (PSIC), created January 20, 1960 to work with the Reading Company and Pennsylvania Railroad to improve commuter rail service and help the railroads maintain otherwise unprofitable passenger rail service. 2. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Compact (SEPACT), created September 8, 1961 by the City of Philadelphia and the Counties of Montgomery, Bucks, and Chester to coordinate regional transport issues.
On September 30, 1968, SEPTA acquired the Philadelphia Transportation Company (PTC). On January 30, 1970, SEPTA acquired the Philadelphia Suburban Transportation Company. On March 1, 1976, SEPTA acquired the transit operations of Schuylkill Valley Lines.
SEPTA is governed by a 15-member board of directors. The City of Philadelphia appoints two members. Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties appoint two members each. The majority and minority leaders of the two houses of the Pennsylvania State Legislature (the Senate and the House of Representatives) appoint one member each. The governor appoints one member.