The Hub 5/29/2026: Clean Air Council’s Weekly Round-up of Transportation News
“The Hub” is a weekly round-up of transportation related news in the Philadelphia area and beyond. Check back weekly to keep up-to-date on the issues Clean Air Council’s transportation staff finds important.
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Philadelphia Tribune: Opposition builds against school district’s fare evasion program – The proposed fare evasion enforcement program tied to the School District of Philadelphia is being flagged as a system that unfairly punishes students, and could push them into the criminal justice system for just trying to get to school. Transit advocates warn that despite the intention to curb SEPTA revenue losses, this plan is not the best path forward. SEPTA student fare cards are extremely limited in their use, with restrictions based on geography, times of day, and not allowed at all on weekends or summer breaks. Advocates warn that the program will disproportionately target students of color and low-income families, and the solution is to expand transit access and education, rather than punishment.
NBC Philadelphia: SEPTA installs first real-time arrival display at South Philadelphia bus stop – Riders that take the bus at Broad and Oregon are the first to receive a real-time information display, as part of a pilot program by SEPTA. SEPTA said that 9 more devices are to be installed at bus stops and to T, G, D, and M Metro stations. The screens use solar power and e-paper technology, making them visible even in bright sun. They are small enough to be mounted on stop sign poles, and have a text-to-speech bubble, to help low-vision riders. SEPTA is asking for feedback from riders through https://wwww.septa.org/initiatives/better-bus/epaper/.
NBC Philadelphia: Philly’s annual Ride of Silence honors cyclists, calls for safer streets – On Wednesday night, cyclists met at City Hall for the 22nd annual Philly Ride of Silence to honor cyclists killed or injured. 15 cyclists have been killed by motorists in the Delaware Valley region this year alone. Cyclist advocate group Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia has worked with lawmakers and the PPA to expand protected bike lanes, and ticket vehicles that idle in them. The PPA has issued close to 30,000 violations since the enforcement unit was created in 2023. Advocates hope to see further protections for cyclists and pedestrians throughout the city in the near future.
Other Stories
PhillyVoice: Uber escalates ad campaign against Mayor Parker’s $1-per-ride tax as vote looms
BillyPenn: Philly’s 100 Steps restored after a hasty gray paint job sparked outrage
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Those potholes in your street reveal a money problem for cities and states
PhillyVoice: New Hope Railroad now has scenic pedal-bike tours that wind along heritage tracks in Bucks County
The Inquirer: Philly’s airport just lost Spirit Airlines. Another low-cost airline is moving in.
Centre Daily Times: PennDOT highlights $212M in central PA projects. What’s happening in Centre County?
The Inquirer: All-electric Volvos now pull some of the famed tram cars on the Wildwoods boardwalk
Streetsblog USA: America Keeps Building Stadiums Like Transit Doesn’t Matter
