At Careda’s Caribbean Cuisine in Reading Terminal Market, owner Careda Matthews faces challenges beyond her recipes. Her employees rely on SEPTA for their daily commute, which adds stress to their routine, especially as SEPTA plans to cut services.
“It’s going to create a lot of stress for my staff,” Matthews said. “I might need to find temporary help or they will have to figure out their rides.”
Reading Terminal Market hosts around 80 family-owned businesses. CEO Annie Allman notes that about 600 jobs are connected to the market, and nearly half of those employees depend on SEPTA. Among them is Marcus Henderson, who serves ice cream at Bassetts. “SEPTA is my primary way to get to work. I don’t have to worry about Uber or owning a car,” he shared.
The potential cuts have left Allman concerned. “It’s devastating, especially with the semiquincentennial celebrations coming to Philadelphia this year,” she expressed. The market is significant not just for tourists but also as Pennsylvania’s largest SNAP and EBT redemption center. Many residents depend on public transit to access affordable groceries.
Destiny Maillard, a local resident, also worries about the impact of service reductions. “It will affect my ability to buy fresh produce for my kids. In West Philly, we don’t have many markets offering that,” she said, emphasizing the need for accessible options.
As the deadline for SEPTA’s service cuts approaches, Matthews and others are strategizing how to handle the upcoming changes. “Using Ubers or taxis will be expensive. Not everyone has a car, and this will hit hard,” she added.
Experts highlight that public transportation disruptions can have wide-reaching impacts on communities, particularly among low-income families who rely heavily on services like SEPTA. According to a 2022 study by the Brookings Institution, approximately 25% of low-income workers are less likely to commute efficiently when public transport is limited. This emphasizes the need for reliable transit systems to support job accessibility and community well-being.
In a city bustling with life, the outcomes of these transportation cuts will undoubtedly shape the experience of many workers and families in Philadelphia.
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SEPTA, Pennsylvania, Food & Drink, Philadelphia
