SEPTA is planning to increase fares by 29 percent from the current rates and also shut down many routes in an effort to help fund its operating expenses.

The decision was made this week after it became clear that much needed state funding may not be coming any time soon. SEPTA faces a $240 million budget deficit. SEPTA is also currently negotiating a new contract with its workers’ union, Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 234, which is demanding wage increases and safety improvements for both passengers and transit workers.

A bill funding SEPTA $161 million per year has passed the Pennsylvania State House with bipartisan support, but is being stalled in the Senate.

Starting January 1, 2025, SEPTA fares may increase to $2.90 per ride, according to a proposal announced this week. This is the second fare increase proposed by SEPTA this year. The first increase, from $2.00 to $2.50 per ride for SEPTA Key and contactless card users, was proposed in September and will likely become effective on Dec. 1.

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SEPTA has erected metal fences around the 40th Street portal in preparation for the potential workers strike, according to the University City District (UCD). The exact purpose of the fences is not clear.

The strike was expected to begin as early as today (Nov. 8), right after the expiration of the contract between SEPTA and the Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 234, but since some progress was made during the negotiations of the new contract in the past couple of days it has been postponed.

“After months of bargaining we finally began to make some progress over the past couple days, but we simply ran out of time. We’re willing to go the extra mile and grant additional time to reach a fair agreement,” TWU Local 234 President Brian Pollitt said yesterday. “However, let me be clear if SEPTA’s managers fail to meet our demands, we will be on the picket line by the end of the month.”

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Here’s an interesting shakeup at the storefront located at 4508 Walnut Street (near 45th and Walnut), which was until recently occupied by Lulu Cafe. The cafe specializing in Taiwanese street snacks and bubble tea, has recently closed its doors on Walnut and announced its move to 28-30 S. 40th Street, the space formerly occupied by the Green Line Cafe. The space on S. 40th Street is currently under renovation and Lulu is expected to reopen at this new location next month.

While the space at 45th and Walnut has been vacant since late August, a new sign appeared in its window, announcing that a new restaurant, Urban Sushi & Kitchen, is going to open there soon. The new establishment will serve halal food, according to the sign. So far, no additional information is available. We’ll let you know when we have more details.

Keswick Cycle opening in University City in 2011 (Archived photo).

Keswick Cycle has unexpectedly closed its University City location on Locust St. near 40th after 13 years of operation. There were no prior announcements about the closing on their social media, but there is a message on their website that reads simply:

“We are saddened to announce the closing of our University City location.”

The last post on the store’s Facebook page is dated Oct. 15. Some operations at the store are still temporarily ongoing for those who have pending order pickups.

The business was founded in 1933 in Glenside. The University City shop was their only location in Philadelphia. Two other remaining shops are in Glenside and Paoli where customers are now referred to by Keswick Cycle.

The 2024 general election will take place Nov. 5, when registered voters can cast their votes in person at the polling locations around the city, but here are a few reminders for those who want to vote earlier.

Voter registration has been closed, but those who have registered can still apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 29. The Philadelphia City Commissioners has opened ten Satellite Election Offices throughout the city, one in each council district, where voters can apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot, complete it, and/or return it. All election offices are open Mon-Fri 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat-Sun 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Here are the election offices in West and Southwest Philadelphia:

2nd Council District

6100 Woodland Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19142

3rd Council District

4029 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104

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The Philadelphia City Council passed a bill today that prohibits vehicles from stopping or standing in any bike lane in Philadelphia.

The proposed legislation, called the “Get Out The Bike Lane” bill, would penalize stopping, standing, or parking in a bike lane with a fine of $125 in Center City and University City, and $75 in other parts of the city. Councilmember Jamie Gauthier introduced the bill on behalf of Council President Kenyatta Johnson. It was passed unanimously.

The “Get Out The Bike Lane” bill replaces the current law, which went into effect in January 2013 and penalizes parking in a bike line with a fine of $75 in Center City and University City and $50 in other parts of the city.

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