At a Friday morning press conference in Philadelphia, Gov. Josh Shapiro announced that he is redirecting $153 million in federal highway funding to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA).

The regional public transportation agency operates bus, rapid transit, commuter rail, light rail and electric trolleybus services for the five counties in and around Philadelphia.

SEPTA is grappling with a $240 million budget shortfall and was considering planned service cuts to deal with the deficit.

“Just like we repair and maintain our roads and bridges in those rural and in those suburban communities, I think we owe it to the good people Pennsylvania that take mass transit to be there for them and their families as well,” said Shapiro while standing in the Frankford Transportation Center.

“I’ve directed Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll to immediately begin the process of transferring $153 million from seven highway projects across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to fund SEPTA’s needs. That money will prevent service cuts and will prevent the dramatic increases in fares that SEPTA has been contemplating, at least until next July. It’s going to ensure that the people of Southeastern Pennsylvania who rely on SEPTA every day, that they’re going to be able to get where they need to go.”

The governor also announced that each of the five counties that support SEPTA – Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia – will also make significant investments from their local budgets.

“Thank you to these great community leaders, from the mayor to our county commissioners to our county council people, everyone has stepped up and made clear just how valuable SEPTA is to this region,” said Shapiro.

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker congratulated Shapiro on his efforts to support the region.

“We know that ‘getting shit done’ is not a slogan for you,” she said. “We know it is the way you operate. So I want to say, on behalf of the people of the city of Philadelphia, and quite frankly, the 790,000 residents from Southeastern Pennsylvania who depend on SEPTA, thank you for not just talking the talk, but walking the walk.”

Shapiro called upon the Republican-controlled state Senate to finish the job when it comes to long-term sustainable funding for mass transit.

“I know my colleagues in the capital are mindful that mass transit agencies all across Pennsylvania are struggling right now. Why? Back in February, when I introduced my budget, I proposed the first major new investment in public transit in more than a decade. The House of Representatives, led by Speaker (Joanna) McClinton and leader (Matt) Bradford and Chairman (Jordan) Harris, saw to it that my proposal for mass transit passed not once twice, but three different times in the House of Representatives on a bipartisan basis. Three times.

“So for us to make any progress, including the substantial progress we’ve already made, requires us to come together. Democrat, Republican, and put the good people of Pennsylvania first. SEPTA faces serious challenges and is in desperate need of more funding. Without urgent support, they are going to be forced to dramatically raise prices and to cut services in a significant way. I’m here to tell you, we can’t let that happen. We cannot let that happen.”

Local officials say surrounding counties will contribute roughly $20 million additional dollars for SEPTA. Jamila Winder, chair of the Montgomery County board of commissioners, announced on Friday that Montco is planning to increase its SEPTA funding by 13 percent from $8.3 million to $9,4 million.