Recently, some #34 Trolley riders spotted and commented on a new sign pasted on the driver’s cabin that read “Dude It’s Rude… Two Seats – Really?” Yesterday, SEPTA announced the launch of a new “Dude It’s Rude” passenger etiquette program and released some more details about it.

“The new initiative uses strong visuals and minimal words to get passengers thinking about their own personal travel habits,” according to SEPTA. This is a more direct approach to tackling the issue of passenger etiquette. Prior to this campaign, SEPTA used a lighter approach with cartoon-like characters and implemented a more successful cellphone use campaign, which combined humor with direct messaging.

SEPTA hopes that the new campaign, with an edgier tone, will improve customer travel habits that have continuously been reported as big problems, including cursing, taking your trash with you, blocking the front aisle, and seat hogging. SEPTA intentionally did not include its name or logo on decals and posters to get its riders thinking more about the messages instead of who is delivering it.

Initial response to the new campaign has been positive, according to SEPTA’s General Manager Joseph Casey. “Customers appreciate our efforts to tackle the issues that bug them…,” Casey said in a statement. But more feedback and comments are welcome.

Here are more signs (courtesy of SEPTA):

SEPTA has announced changes and adjustments to bus, subway, and trolley schedules that come into effect on Sunday, Aug. 31 – Tuesday, Sept. 2. The changes address routing changes and timetable improvements. Major adjustments include the Route 11 and 13 trolleys. Both routes will resume regular service on Sunday, Aug. 31. Shuttle service had been in effect over the summer to accommodate a rail replacement project in Southwest Philadelphia and Darby Township.

Most of the other route schedule changes address minor timetable improvements aimed at improving customer service and account for seasonal changes in ridership, according to SEPTA’s press release. All passengers are advised to pick up new schedules now available at SEPTA service locations. You can also view and print the new schedules on SEPTA’s website.

As the city prepares for the big Labor Day weekend, SEPTA has released information on available services and rerouting during the Made in America Festival, which will take place on Saturday and Sunday (Aug. 30-31). Due to planned street closures around the Parkway, SEPTA Bus Routes 7, 32, 33, 38, 43, and 48 will be detoured before, during, and immediately following the event. Subway weekend service will operate Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings with additional trains on both lines. Trolleys will also operate in the tunnel on Sunday evening. For more information, go to this page.
 

There will be a bus substitution on the Trolley Route 10 from 63rd and Malvern to 33rd and Market from 12 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, through 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 29, according to SEPTA. The substitution is due to Philadelphia Streets Department work in the area.

During the bus substitution, Route 10 riders can use trolleys Routes 11, 13, 34 and 36 for travel between 33rd and Market to 13th and Market. Buses will take passengers between the 33rd and Market Street trolley stop and 63rd and Malvern.

There’s no word yet on the extent of the road work scheduled in this area. Stay tuned for updates.
 

Some great news, folks! No more trolley diversion to 40th and Market Streets as after almost a three-week break the trolley service has resumed in the tunnel. The tunnel was closed for Trolley Tunnel Blitz, a 17-day maintenance and construction project. The trolley diversion during this period caused some traffic delays on 40th Street, especially during rush hours. The tunnel service resumed before the rush hour this morning, according to SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch.

We’re not fully in the transportation clear yet though. Some segments of Spruce Street will be closed this week for Penn students move-in. Here are the dates, times and areas you should avoid:

Thursday, Aug. 21: 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.: Spruce Street between 34th and 38th Streets
Friday, Aug. 22: 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.: Spruce Street between 34th and 38th Streets
Saturday, Aug. 23: 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.: Spruce Street between 38th and 40th Streets

They’re very likely going to ask you to walk your bike along those blocks and, of course, they are closed to vehicle traffic.

Now back to SEPTA news:

The “Night Owl” 24-hour weekend subway service, which is a pilot program, has been extended until November 2. The pilot was initially scheduled to run through Labor Day weekend. The extension will let SEPTA evaluate the service during fall ridership season.

SEPTA has just released a new mobile app for Android users that offers riders a variety of SEPTA travel information. The new app allows you to check your schedule, check for alerts, detours and service advisories on your route, find the location and get real-time information for regional rail trains, find the travel option nearest you, and stay connected with SEPTA. You can download the app on this page.

BTW, a new sign has been spotted on the Route 34 Trolley that reminds riders of seat etiquette:

Bandit campaign of passive aggression continues on @SEPTA_TRL_34 pic.twitter.com/iysOB3k4DL

— Amara Rockar (@arockar) August 18, 2014

Is the summer already over? Penn is preparing for a big student move-in, which means that Spruce street will be closed again between 34th and 40th Streets on certain days starting Sunday, Aug 17. Watch out for traffic detours and bus re-routing during street closure times (see below). Also, you will have to walk your bike on closed Spruce Street segments.

Here are more details from the Penn Division of Public Safety:

“To facilitate new student move-in, closures of Spruce Street will take place on the following dates, times and locations:

Sunday, August 17th: 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.: Spruce Street between 34th and 40th Streets
Thursday, August 21st: 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.: Spruce Street between 34th and 38th Streets
Friday, August 22nd: 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.: Spruce Street between 34th and 38th Streets
Saturday, August 23rd: 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.: Spruce Street between 38th and 40th Streets

UPPD  will be on location to assist with traffic flow.

• Emergency vehicles and hospital patient transport vehicles will be permitted access.

• Access will be provided to the Ryan Vet Hospital: Access will be provided for non-emergency cases by way of 40th and Spruce Streets, emergency cases will be permitted access at 38th and Spruce Streets.

• No taxi cabs will be permitted access.

• Vendors will be permitted access to enter the street prior to the street closure.

• Bikes will need to be walked on Spruce Street while the streets are closed to traffic.

• Septa Routes 40 and 42 will be re-routed.

• HUP, Morgue and Wistar deliveries will be allowed to enter Spruce Street at 34th Street.

• Garage 14 will be open and accessible throughout move-in.”

Here’s a reminder that the trolley tunnel closes tonight at 10 p.m. for Trolley Tunnel Blitz, a 17-day maintenance and construction project. During this time, SEPTA Trolley Routes 10, 11, 13, 34 and 36 will operate only west of 40th Street. Passengers traveling east of 40th Street can switch to the Market-Frankford subway line at 40th and Market where all the trolleys will divert to. You can also take a bus (Routes 42, 21).

The trolley service in the tunnel is expected to resume on August 18 at 4 a.m. We’ll keep you posted if there are any changes.

Check out this video, recently put up by SEPTA, that explains the Trolley Tunnel Blitz: