Letters to the Editor | Dec. 9, 2024

As Leslie S. Richards steps down as SEPTA’s general manager and CEO, we reflect on her leadership during one of the most challenging periods in the agency’s history. Under Richards, public transit’s role in the economic health and vibrancy of Greater Philadelphia was fully acknowledged. From contactless tap-to-pay to initiatives like Trolley Modernization and Reimagining Regional Rail, she advanced infrastructure projects, supported Philadelphia’s broader economic ecosystem, and helped create a transit network to serve our growing region. Consequently, SEPTA is a lifeline for over 700,000 daily riders.

Her work has been critically important as Philadelphia prepares to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday, host FIFA World Cup matches and the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, and more in 2026. World Cup projections indicate the 6,000-plus jobs created will depend on SEPTA, and robust public transportation infrastructure will be essential to accommodating visitors, residents, and workers. Long term, SEPTA helps position our region as competitive for work and play, providing equitable access to jobs, health care, education, and entertainment. A cornerstone of our infrastructure, SEPTA should be continually supported and funded in Harrisburg to ensure inclusive growth and accessibility.

The SEPTA Key Advantage program exemplifies Richards’ legacy. It provides employer-sponsored transit access to nearly 100,000 workers, supporting economic growth while reducing traffic and pollution. Richards also advocated for a more equitable fare structure and prioritized accessibility projects, setting Philadelphia apart from other cities. Meanwhile, her leadership of the Safer Cleaning on Public Environment program enhanced public safety and cleanliness. Richards’ time with SEPTA is marked by resilience, innovation, and inclusivity, setting the region on a path to future success. We look forward to continuing to work alongside new SEPTA leadership who can build on the foundation she laid.

Chellie Cameron, president and CEO, Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, and Angela Val, president and CEO, Visit Philadelphia

What problem is the twice-weekly trash collection program intended to solve? Not the general litter problem. Not the lack of curbside street cleaning. Not the deficient ways residents and property owners manage their trash and recycling (and dog waste). Not more targeted placement and consistent management of public bins. These are some of the fundamental, intractable issues that keep our neighborhood streets filthy week after week. And what about sustainability goals? Doubling the days when huge, noisy trucks lumber down our streets just feet from our front doors. Creating an incentive for people to generate more waste and to throw it to the curb twice as often. I asked neighbors in Graduate Hospital what they thought of the program. The consensus: a waste of money.

Janet Lorenz, Philadelphia

I love how The Inquirer uses language that does not reflect the reality of the situation. First, they are not “undocumented immigrants.” They are illegal aliens breaking the law, and under federal law, harboring an illegal alien is a felony. Do you really think it is fair for sanctuary cities to use taxpayers’ money to dole out shelter, food, clothing, and even stipends? My gosh, California even gave them debit cards. Most of our ancestors from other countries who wanted to come to America were properly vetted when they arrived and subsequently became U.S. citizens. If Philadelphia and other sanctuary cities refuse to assist federal agencies in deporting illegal aliens, then yes, President Donald Trump and Congress have the right to withhold federal funds, as the mayors of those cities are literally breaking the law.

Paul Benedict, Broomall, paulcbenedict@gmail.com

New Jersey’s gas tax is increasing by nearly 3 cents starting Jan. 1. I’m amazed at the audacity of our governor and other elected officials. They passed a bill that forces us to create an income stream that satisfies the interest burden of the transportation infrastructure. When the current income doesn’t meet the needs, the tax must increase. Yet, they are giving tax incentives to buyers of electric vehicles, which then contribute nothing to infrastructure funding. Self-fulfilling prophecy. Electric vehicles are even heavier than the average car, so they add to the wear and tear of highways. Our governor has referred to people as “knuckleheads” when they’ve challenged him, which seems offensive on the surface. The fact that we have not held these elected officials accountable shows that maybe we are the knuckleheads he references. This is not right.

William B. “Ben” Young, Cinnaminson

Philadelphia just celebrated the first-ever RockyFest, a week of Rocky-related events. Like thousands of other Philly folks, I drive by the Art Museum on a regular basis and witness the constant lines of fans waiting patiently to have their pictures taken with the champ himself. It’s great, and though I’ve never personally posed there, I’m all in for the whole experience and love that it brings such gratification to so many Philadelphians and visitors.

However, we could do more to parlay the experience into an opportunity to educate and broaden appreciation for a real-life Philly champion: Smokin’ Joe Frazier. Wouldn’t it be great to offer an opportunity to celebrate both Rocky Balboa and Frazier at the same time? A solution is right before our eyes. Stand in front of the Art Museum steps. The Rocky statue is to the right. To the left is an empty and available space just crying out for a statue of Frazier. It gets better. The statue already exists. Artist Stephen Lane created one that now sits on Pattison Avenue near the South Philadelphia sports complex.

It would be perfect for relocation to the Art Museum. After all, the Rocky statue did time at the South Philly site before being moved to its current location. So now it’s time for Joe to move uptown. Sure, it will cost something to make the move, but we can do it. I’ll write a check for the first $1,000, and I am confident Sylvester Stallone could cough up a little more. Everyone wins. The Rocky fans go on taking their selfies and, at the same time, learn some real history.

Bernard J. McBride, Philadelphia

Shouldn’t SEPTA be innovative instead of always asking for more tax money to stand still doing the same old things? Computer-driven trams are common in large airports here and abroad to take us safely from terminal to terminal. The Waymo cab company operates autonomous taxi cabs safely in the very complicated streets of San Francisco and other cities. Our SEPTA commuter trains go straight on fixed steel rails, stop at predetermined stops, and then return. Easy as pie! Why not drive the trains autonomously?

Replace the expensive conductors and engineers with computers. It may be harsh, but please ask: Where did thousands of highway toll collectors across the U.S. go when their jobs became completely obsolete? E-ZPass and computer toll readers replaced them all. Why employ people for obsolete jobs? Remember the guys who shoveled coal for steam engines? Let us encourage SEPTA’s management and board to serve our needs by being efficient, as other transportation providers have been, by stepping forward innovatively, instead of standing still like a bump in the road.

Gardner A. Cadwalader, Philadelphia, gacadwalader@gmail.com

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