Philly Transit Workers Split $172 Million Lotto Win - East Idaho News
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Philly Transit Workers Split $172 Million Lotto Win

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Thinkstock B 032511 LottoTicket?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1335548715157Stockbyte/Thinkstock(PHILADELPHIA) — Trains and subways might zip along a little faster in Philadelphia this week after a group of 48 transit workers hit a $172 million Powerball lottery jackpot.

The workers, who will get about $3 million apiece, are choosing to remain anonymous, but range in rank from senior managers in the purchasing department to “a favorite janitor,” according to Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) spokesman Richard Maloney.

“They have all asked to be anonymous on this. When you get a windfall, it’s easy to be joyous for a second, and then, you know, you don’t want everybody in the world to know,” Maloney said.

The workers range in experience with the company, from just under a year to close to 40 years service, and all work in the headquarters in Philadelphia. The “floating pool” the workers took part in has been going on for years, with certain members joining in or sitting a week out depending on personal choice, Maloney said.

This week, for the $172 million Powerball, workers each put in $5 to buy 120 tickets.

The winning ticket was sold three blocks down from SEPTA headquarters at the News Stand at the Gallery, 9th and Market streets in Center City.

“We’re excited to have sold this jackpot-winning Powerball ticket in Pennsylvania, and this will be the second Powerball jackpot we get to award in just five months,” Pennsylvania Lottery Executive Director Todd Rucci said. “Today also marks the 23rd anniversary of the April 26, 1989, Super 7 drawing that awarded $115.5 million to 14 winning tickets and still holds the record as the largest jackpot awarded by the Lottery.”

Maloney said that despite winning it big this week, no employees had tendered their resignation or booked trips to Hawaii yet.

“Not so far. While it’s a lot of money for anybody, for a young person who still has a career, to continue working, it’s a nice cushion. If they’re nearing retirement, it’s a nice nest egg,” Maloney said.

Many of the winners worked on the 11th floor, in purchasing, he noted, and are well-versed in managing finances.

Colleagues of the workers told ABC News affiliate WPVI that their peers were excited.

“You go up there, you feel the vibe. It’s just so great just to walk up on the floor, just to hear somebody that close to you won,” SEPTA employee Cynthia Griffin said.

The Pennsylvania Lottery said that no winners had officially come forward yet.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

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