Tuesday SEPTA-related news

• The federal government is becoming involved in the transfer debate:

  In the letter, dated Friday, the [Federal Transit] administration's office of civil rights told SEPTA that it must conduct an analysis as to whether any proposed fare increase would "have a disproportionately high and adverse effect on minority and low-income riders."

  I think we already know the answer there; less clear is what action, if any, the federal agency might be prepared to take (funding cuts?). The letter was discussed as part of the hearings being held. A decision in the local case is expected no sooner than Friday.
  
  
• The DN has a related story with the headline SEPTA transfers to stay - for now, which also describes arguments being made.
  
  
• The Metro's version catches the quote that the head of SEPTA's ridership division was unaware of the federal mandate to do an impact study before undertaking restructuring of fares. oops.