SEPTA is planning to build a better bus network in Philadelphia. The project, called “Bus Revolution,” was first announced last month and includes a series of pop-up and virtual events to inform the public and gather feedback.

As part of this project, residents are invited to fill out an online survey, which focuses on “trade-offs.” People are asked to what degree they are willing to walk slightly farther for faster, more frequent bus service.

To access the survey, click here. SEPTA hopes to receive at least 1,000 responses to the survey by the end of this month.

The Bus Revolution project will take approximately three years to complete. The first two years will be dedicated to planning and analysis. Implementation is expected to take place in 2023.

For more details, visit: www.septabusrevolution.com.

An artist’s rendering of an improved off-street trolley station planned by SEPTA as part of its Trolley Modernization Project.

SEPTA is currently in the planning stages of its Trolley Modernization Project, a multi-year effort to replace its entire fleet of trolleys with new, larger light rail vehicles that are also more accessible to people with disabilities and seniors. In addition to replacing its fleet, SEPTA is planning to rebuild trolley stations to make the platforms more accessible, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The plan also includes construction of Eastwick Intermodal Center, a new maintenance and storage facility for the new trolleys, and a trolley line extension in the Parkside area (Centennial District Trolley). Continue Reading

Throughout this month, SEPTA crews have been working on the Southwest Connection Improvement Program, rebuilding the main infrastructure on the Media/Elwyn Line between 30th Street Station and the Arsenal Interlocking, which is below Penn Medicine Station (former University City Station).

The work, which takes place every weekend, began on August 7th and is expected to be completed this Sunday, Aug. 29.

This Saturday and Sunday, there will be some SEPTA service changes to facilitate the construction: Continue Reading

Weekly transpasses are being replaced by fare cards for Philadelphia public school students, the School District of Philadelphia and SEPTA have announced. About 65,000 eligible students in Philadelphia will receive a SEPTA Student Fare Card – a contact-free, reusable chip card that students can use to get to and from school during the 2021-2022 school year.

Here’s how the card will work for students:

Students can use the fare card up to eight times per day between the hours of 5:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. on any bus, trolley or subway on school days. If a student needs to use regional rail, they can upgrade their student fare card at designated SEPTA stations for about $10 per 5-day school week. Continue Reading

SEPTA is ending vehicle capacity restrictions imposed at the beginning of the COVID pandemic. Beginning Tuesday, June 1, there will be no limits on the number of riders on all SEPTA vehicles.

The decision to lift vehicle capacity restrictions was made due to the decreasing number of COVID-19 cases in the Philadelphia region, as more people are getting vaccinated, and the recent decision by Philadelphia authorities to ease indoor capacity-related restrictions.

SEPTA customers will still be required to wear face masks on all vehicles and in stations.

The annual SEPTA trolley tunnel repair and maintenance project, “Trolley Tunnel Blitz” has begun. The tunnel will be closed until Monday, July 20 and all trolleys will be on diversion to 40th and Market Streets where passengers can board the Market-Frankford Line to continue their travel to Center City. No additional fare is required when you switch to/from the Market-Frankford Line.

SEPTA crews will work around the clock during the Blitz to tackle track and power maintenance in the tunnel. This summer the focus will also be on intensive cleaning at all stations.

This is the eight consecutive year SEPTA has held the Trolley Tunnel Blitz. It is usually scheduled during summer months when ridership is traditionally lower.

Regular trolley service through the tunnel is expected to resume at 5 a.m. on Monday, July 20.