Cuts, fare hikes, canceled expansions: How failed Pa. transit funding talks could affect small systems

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HARRISBURG — Leaders of small transit agencies across Pennsylvania say they’re preparing to cut services, raise fares, and freeze hiring as early as next year now that additional funding won’t be in this year’s state budget.

These systems, which mainly run buses and on-demand shared ride services, serve tens of thousands of people in communities from Scranton to Canonsburg. Like many transit systems, they have struggled to make ends meet after the pandemic reduced ridership and subsequent federal aid ran out.

For months, routing more state funding to transit has