SEPTA is presenting an open information meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 1, on improvements planned for 40th and Market St. Station. This is a great chance to learn more about the project, which will address ADA and some other improvements at the station. The 40th St Station ADA Accessibility Project is expected to begin this winter and will take more than a year to complete – through Spring 2017, according to SEPTA. The project broke ground earlier this month.

The scope of the project includes the following work at the station and in the adjacent area:

• Installation of a machine roomless elevator on the NW & SE corners of 40th & Market Streets
• Installation of new headhouse covering to all four stairs accessing the station
• Installation of new restrooms in the subway level
• Reconstruction of new city sidewalks within work area
• Installation of new informational signage
• Installation of new doors, gates and architectural enhancements

The meeting will take place at Oshiver Hall, 3901 Market St., beginning at 6 p.m.

Police are looking for an unidentified man who they say slashed another man in the head on SEPTA Market-Frankford line Night Owl bus near 46th and Market.

The incident happened around 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday and was a result of a fight between the men that broke out on the bus, according to police. The victim sustained a cut to his forehead and was treated at the scene by medics and then released. The suspect fled the scene.

1:35 p.m.: Surveillance video from the station showed that a man, who is believed to have been in his 40’s or 50’s, died after jumping in front of the train as it pulled into the station, according to SEPTA.

12:35 p.m.: We’re very sad to report that the person who was struck by an El train at 56th Street Station has died. Emergency crews are still working to remove the body from the tracks. It is not clear yet whether the person fell or jumped onto the tracks.

12:20 p.m.: A person is trapped beneath an El train at 56th and Market, according to reports. Medics are on the scene. The person was struck by the train around noon, according to SEPTA. There is no word yet on their condition.

#CBS3BREAKING: Person Trapped Beneath El Train In West Philadelphia: https://t.co/lD9dVpIqYF pic.twitter.com/3YFoV8K0LQ

— CBS Philly (@CBSPhilly) November 3, 2015

Shuttle buses are operating between 52nd Street Station and 69th Street Terminal. Delays are expected.

Some long-anticipated accessibility improvements are finally coming to SEPTA’s 40th Street Market Frankford Line Station. Today, SEPTA, with state and city elected officials, disability advocates and West Philadelphia community and business leaders broke ground on the 40th St Station ADA Accessibility Project, which will include the installation of two elevators on the northwest and southeast corners of 40th and Market Streets. In addition to the two new elevators, the $7.4 million construction project includes four new head house entrances and overall station improvements.

“In addition to the accessibility enhancements, all users will benefit from the improvements to be made at this station,” according to SEPTA general manager Jeffrey D. Knueppel, who participated in the groundbreaking ceremony.  Continue Reading

If you’re going grocery shopping this weekend, think about picking up some extra canned goods and help SEPTA and Philabundance feed our neighbors in need. SEPTA has been holding its annual “Stop Hunger At Your Station” Food Drive this month, and it has been extended until Monday, Nov. 2.

The response so far from SEPTA customers and employees has been great, according to General Manager Jeffrey D. Knueppel, but they decided to extend the food drive through Monday to give people a little more time to donate. Their goal is to top the 18 tons of food contributed last year.

SEPTA is collecting donations of canned goods in marked barrels at 43 designated stations throughout the transit system. In West Philadelphia, you can drop off your donations at the following stations:  Continue Reading

This weekend, the city of Philadelphia will greet Pope Francis, an exciting time for Philadelphians and guests, but also stressful for many local residents. Here’s our summary on various closures, restrictions and cancellations associated with the papal visit. The schedule of events and activities during the Papal visit on Sept. 26 & 27 is available here. Also check out these useful links: Papal Visit Playbook, Philly Pope Map, Papal Visit FAQs. There will also be live streaming of events from the World Meeting of Families and the Papal visit stream (click here).

We will update this post as more information becomes available. Feel free to post comments or email us (editor-at-westphillylocal.com) if you know of any closures or cancellations not included in this post.

Highway Closures, Traffic Restrictions (“Traffic Boxes”)

Some road closures and parking restrictions have already begun ahead of the visit, but major highway closures and traffic restrictions will start on Friday night. Mayor Michael Nutter has announced Papal “traffic boxes” for parts of Center City and West Philadelphia, beginning on Friday, Sept. 25 at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. respectively. Vehicles will be allowed to exit the traffic box area, but will not be allowed to re-enter it (except for emergency vehicles). There will be no SEPTA bus or trolley service within the boundaries of the traffic box, but there will be no restrictions to bicycle and pedestrian traffic. Here are the boundaries for the West Philadelphia Traffic Box:  Continue Reading