$8 million for SEPTA, other reverse commuters

SEPTA and local transit services are to get about $8 million in Pennsylvania and federal funding this year to help pay for routes that serve reverse commuters, according to the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission.

The money, in 35 grants, is designed to help welfare recipients and low-income workers by improving nighttime, weekend and other off-peak service, especially on routes that take urban residents to suburban jobs.

Without these grants, the routes would not be financially viable.

This service will provide transportation for about 5,000 commuters each week to 300 employment sites in the five-county Philadelphia region.

The grants will be formally announced tomorrow at Market East Station.

The grants, from the Federal Transit Administration and the state Department of Transportation and made through the DVRPC, are for these routes:

SEPTA bus routes 37, 305, 1, 14, 95, 304, 96, 201, L, 14, 18, 20, 56, 65, 108, 129, 124, 206, 111, 105, 109, 110 and 113 and the PhiladelphiaPark Casino & Racetrack service.

SEPTA's R1-Airport and R5-Thorndale regional rail routes.

Bucks County Transport welfare-to-work service.

Delaware County Transportation Management Association (TMA) "Quick Service" shuttle programs 1 and 4.

Greater Valley Forge TMA "suburban link" program 4.

Impact Services' "get me to the job on time" van service.

Partnership TMA "community coaster" shuttle bus.

Bristol Riverfront RUSH service.

Doylestown DART service.

Newtown RUSH service.

Street Road RUSH service.

Warminster RUSH service.

TMA Chester County for the Coatesville Link service and the SCCOOT service.