FY 2012 Operating Budget and FY 2013-2017 Financial ... - Septa

Glossary
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 - This federal act requires many changes to transit
vehicles, operations and facilities to ensure that people with disabilities have access to jobs,
public accommodations, telecommunications, and public services, including public transit.
Accessible - As defined by FTA, a site, building, facility, or portion thereof that complies with
defined standards and that can be approached, entered, and used by persons with disabilities.
Accessible Service - A term used to describe service that is accessible to non-ambulatory
riders with disabilities. This includes fixed-route bus service with wheelchair lifts or ADA
Paratransit service with wheelchair lift equipped vehicles.
Accrual Basis - A basis of accounting in which transactions are recognized at the time they are
incurred, as opposed to when cash is actually received or spent.
ADA Paratransit Service - In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA),
SEPTA provides comparable service for people with disabilities who are functionally unable to
use regular accessible fixed-route bus service for some or all of their transportation needs.
Eligible individuals can travel whenever and wherever buses operate in SEPTA’s five-county
service region. See also “CCT Connect”.
Amtrak - Service Mark of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation and subsidiaries.
Primarily provides nationwide intercity passenger railroad service.
B
Balanced Budget - A budget in which expected revenues equal expected expenses during a
fiscal period. SEPTA’s enabling legislation requires the Board of Directors to adopt a balanced
budget before the beginning of each fiscal year.
Blue Line - See “Market-Frankford Subway-Elevated”.
Broad Street Line - A rapid transit subway running under Philadelphia’s main north-south
street. The Broad Street Subway opened in 1928 with several extensions over the years. A
spur under Ridge Avenue to 8 th and Market Streets opened in 1932. Also referred to as the
BSL, BSS and “Orange Line”.
Budget - A plan of financial activity for a specified period of time indicating all planned revenues
and expenditures for the budget period.
Bus - A transit mode comprised of rubber tired passenger vehicles operating on fixed routes
and schedules over roadways. Vehicles are powered by diesel, gasoline, battery or alternative
fuel engines contained within the vehicle.
C
Capital Expenditure - Expenses that acquire, improve, or extend the useful life of any item with
an expected life of three or more years and a value of more than $5,000, e.g., rolling stock,
track and structure, support facilities and equipment, and stations and passenger facilities.
SEPTA includes capital expenditures in the Capital Budget, which is published separately from
this document.
Car-Mile - A single mile traveled by either a single vehicle or a single rail car in a multiple car
consist.
SEPTA Fiscal Year 2012 Operating Budget 169