The Pennsylvania House will convene over the next two days as the August 14th deadline looms. Without legislative action, SEPTA could be forced to cut 50 bus routes, five regional rail lines, and close 66 stations, while also raising fares.
"Think of the people that this is affecting," said Thomas Fortunato from Ridley as he waited for his train at Suburban Station on Friday night.
The impact will even be felt throughout Pennsylvania and across state lines in Delaware.
The service cuts will disrupt the Wilmington/Newark Regional Line. On January 1st, the Delaware line would be eliminated along with four others.
"It's a travesty," said Fortunato. "That station in Delaware in Wilmington is so beautiful. It's a great connection between Delaware and Philadelphia."
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Delaware Senate Republicans stepped in by sending a letter to the Pennsylvania Senate in June. It states that service cuts would undercut the economies and values of both states. They said they're ready to collaborate to find solutions.
Meanwhile, Pennsylvania lawmakers gathered at the North Wales Transit Station on Friday to urge Senate Republicans to reconvene and take up the funding measure.
The House has passed a major transit funding bill four times, most recently in June, but the Senate has yet to act on it.
"Your inaction has consequences. History won't remember your excuses. It will remember the power you had to save our transit system and you chose not to," said State Senator Maria Collett (D).
The latest version of the bill includes $300 million in funding, along with Senate Republican-backed provisions for increased investment in rural roads and highways, and additional oversight of SEPTA.
Once the House passes the bill again, it will return to the Senate for a vote.
The deadline for action is next Thursday.
"Time is running out. The clock is ticking. Our commonwealth's future is quite literally on the line," said Collett.
Senate Republicans told Action News they're concerned about the overall budget deficit. So, they're trying to find solutions and other funding sources, such as taxing games of skill.