October 28, 2015
SEPTA officials report last month’s papal visit cost the agency an estimated $4 million but consider the overall event a win, according to CBSPhilly.
“The papal visit for SEPTA was definitely a success and we were happy to play a role and we’ll find some ways to offset these costs as we move forward,” SEPTA spokesman Andrew Bush told CBSPhilly.
Bush said the $4 million can be attributed to employee overtime, planning and crowd control. Overall ridership in September was down 5 percent compared to last year, and road and business closures likely contributed to lost ridership, he said.
The goal is to make up the loss through a potential reimbursement from the Department of Homeland Security and budget adjustments, he said.
Read the full report at CBSPhilly.
