Federal Official Gets Look at SEPTA's Infrastructure Problems
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - It was more than a "three-hour tour" for a top Obama administration official, who was in Philadelphia today getting a firsthand look at the crumbling infrastructure of the SEPTA transit system.
"We are old," was the blunt assessment of SEPTA chief engineer Jeff Knueppel in his talk with Peter Rogoff, who heads the Federal Transit Administration. Rogoff was then treated to a firsthand tour of precisely how old SEPTA's infrastructure is.
Rogoff says he hopes the Obama administration and Congress can reach agreement on a long-term deal for transit funding.
"Especially at a time when you're looking at $4-a-gallon gasoline, it's absolutely imperative that we have a transit alternative for folks to keep more of their paycheck in their wallet instead of handing it over at the gas pump," he said.
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First stop was the City Hall station, where SEPTA needs about $100 million in repairs and renovation. The FTA estimates SEPTA's total needs at $4 billion.
Reported by KYW City Hall bureau chief Mike Dunn
