The Nov. 3 election saw Democrats take control of the Pennsylvania state Senate, potentially opening the door to increased SEPTA funding.

Locally, state Sen. Art Haywood defeated Republican challenger Todd Johnson to retain his seat in the 4th District. Elsewhere, Democrats flipped four Republican-held seats in the 6th, 16th, 24th, and 40th state Senate districts.

Democratic newcomers like Chris Johnson, who ran for state Rep. Chris Rabb’s seat in the 200th District, enter their first term with more potential to push for campaign promises.

“I am thrilled to join the legislature under a new Democratic trifecta. The voters have entrusted us to lead, and now we must deliver for them,” Johnson told the Local. “The trifecta gives us a tremendous opportunity to fully fund SEPTA and our public schools. Our transit systems and school buildings need to be modernized, and I look forward to finding every penny possible to make it happen. It is long overdue.”

He added, “We must also act boldly to address the rising costs of healthcare, childcare, and utilities, which are crippling many residents and working families.”

Controlling a trifecta of the governorship, state House, and state Senate, Democrats have an opportunity to push through public transit funding initiatives that have previously stalled in the Senate.

“A Democratic trifecta creates an opportunity to dedicate more state funding toward sustainably supporting public transportation, which is a lifeline for Philadelphia and the surrounding region,” Haywood wrote to the Local in an email. “The trifecta also means we can potentially renovate existing school buildings and construct new ones across the commonwealth. We have a real opportunity here to advance the day-to-day lives of Pennsylvanians, which would make us one step closer to achieving dignity for all. I’m excited to see Harrisburg navigate this challenge.”

At a press conference the day after the election, Gov. Josh Shapiro promised to fund mass transit, raise the minimum wage and protect women’s reproductive freedom.

In Northwest Philadelphia, locals have rallied around the Save the Train cause. SEPTA has identified the Chestnut Hill West line as likely one of the first cuts to regional rail if funding gaps persist.

Bob Previdi, policy director for Save the Train, has emphasized that SEPTA has plans in place to revitalize public transit in Philadelphia — if they get the funding.

“I think the governor has a real opportunity now to follow through on what a number of people and legislators have been working on, which is a comprehensive package for funding transportation issues across the state,” Previdi told the Local. “[SEPTA] has clearly expressed a vision. A lot of people in Harrisburg last year were saying, “Oh, there’s no plan.” They’ve demonstrated they’ve got a plan. … It just needs investment to make it attractive to run frequently.”

The funding gap has been long in the making, according to Haywood.

“For the last 30 years, we have suffered from divestments in Harrisburg. It will take a multi-year approach to address these funding gaps, but I’m optimistic my colleagues and I can work together to deliver for Pennsylvanians,” Haywood said. “There are several potential options to increase state revenue, including taxing skill games and large corporations, as well as legalizing adult-use recreational marijuana. Much advocacy is still needed to reach these milestones, but exploring these opportunities could create a baseline for the long-term investments our communities need.”

So what does a fully funded SEPTA look like?

In September, the agency released an outline of its “vision for safe, reliable and accessible service.”

In that outline, SEPTA highlighted four main targets: Trolley Modernization, Modern Metro, the New Bus Network, and Reimagining Regional Rail.

For Trolley Modernization, SEPTA would purchase 130 new low-floor trolleys. Along with adding more reliable equipment, trolley stations also become more accessible.

Modern Metro would see SEPTA purchase 200 new subway cars and eventually new cars for the Broad Street Line and Norristown High Speed Line.

The New Bus Network, which SEPTA has already implemented in part, would invest in new transit centers and more frequent bus routes.

Lastly, Reimagining Regional Rail would see SEPTA invest in new regional rail cars along with increasing service frequency to “15-minute or better service at nearly half of the approximately 150 stations.”

Frequency is the key to drive up ridership, Previdi said.

“It’s been proven over and over again … the Northwest has a lot of people with disposable income, and they’ve got a car sitting at home,” he said. “What we have to do is just make that choice simpler. We’re certainly politically inclined. We worry about the environment, but that’s not the whole thing. I still have to get there and back, and I have to worry about how much time I’m spending doing that.”