“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.
As exciting events continue in Philadelphia, learn how you can get around to major summer 2026 events without a car, or being stuck in traffic with GoPhillyGo: Car-Free Routes Map!
WHYY: Leave something on the train, bus or trolley? Here’s how to find it on SEPTA – Riders can look for lost items from SEPTA in the lost and found, but there’s more than one depending on where you left your item. For regional rail riders, the lost and found is in Suburban Station in Center City. Broad Street Line holds items at Fern Rock Transit Center and SEPTA headquarters on Market. Market-Frankford riders need to check the 69th Street Transit Center, and the depot holds unclaimed items from buses and trolleys.
WHYY: Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority takes a baby step toward resurrecting passenger rail between Philadelphia and Reading – Amtrak and the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority (SRPRA) signed a formal commitment to attempt to bring back passenger rail service between Philadelphia, Phoenixville, Pottstown, and Reading. It’s been over 40 years since passenger rail trains stopped in Phoenixville. The agreement means SRPRA intends for Amtrak to operate the lines, and Amtrak is willing to see the project through to the next phase.
Philadelphia Today: Young Mechanics Take the Lead in FOX 29’s Look Inside Zummo Bike – A non-profit in Chester County, Zummo Bikes is collecting, repairing, selling, and donating refurbished bicycles. Zumme Bikes is also a workforce development program, training students to fix bicycles and other components, see inside a small business, and develop customer service skills. Visit Zummo Bike’s website here.
Other Stories
6ABC: Pep rally held for Philadelphia Cycling Classic
Safe Routes Partnership: Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day Mini-Grants are Open!
BillyPenn: The Wissahickon’s 100 Steps connect a natural oasis to the city
WHYY: Philly-area police launch aggressive-driver campaign to reduce highway fatalities
Axios Philadelphia: SEPTA’s AI-powered cameras generated $14.5M in fines in the first year
Mass Transit Mag: Amtrak selects STV for static frequency converter replacement in Philadelphia
Farms.org: Why Rural Roads Account for 40% of U.S. Traffic Fatalities
“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.
Join the Transit For All PA campaign for sustainable transit funding to keep our State moving forward.
Have a community project you want to fund and support? Check out the Public Space Enhancement Mini-Grant from Feet First Philly! Applications are due October 1st, full list of requirements and further information can be found here.
Plan Philly: Bus late during an emergency? This pilot program will help you get where you need without spending a dime – Philly residents who regularly walk, bike, carpool, or take public transit to work can enroll in the Emergency Ride Home service, a program that reimburses the cost of an alternative form of transportation in the event of an emergency or if the usual transit is unavailable. The Clean Air Council is now testing out a pilot voucher-based version of this service that will help bus riders get to where they need to go if their bus doesn’t show up. Participating residents of the Fair Acres region who regularly take SEPTA bus routes 110, 111, 114, or 117 can now activate a $50 voucher on the Uber app if their bus is seriously delayed, cancelled, or doesn’t go to where they need to get to in an emergency. For more details, see here.
NBC10: Philly unveils plan for upcoming SEPTA service cuts, fare hikes – Philly is preparing for a world without usual SEPTA services. Cuts to bus services will roll out on August 24th, the day before schools in the Philadelphia School District start classes. On September 1st, fares will increase, followed by regional rail cuts going into effect on September 2nd. City officials have urged motorists to avoid driving through Center City at rush hours; the city is preparing for an influx of traffic by readying various groups. Throughout September, residents can pay $1 a month to use Indego Bike Share with promo code “indecycle25.”
NBC10: SEPTA cuts may ‘lead to deterioration’ of Amtrak services across the Northeast – SEPTA cuts are arriving fast, and they are likely to impact other transit services. Certain SEPTA-operated commuter trains use Amtrak rails, for an annual cost of $71.1 million. If SEPTA is no longer able to provide that funding, Amtrak’s financial ability to maintain those tracks will diminish, slowing its own trains. Most impacted will be Amtrak’s Keystone Service Line, which operates between Philly and Harrisburg, and New York City.
Other Stories
BillyPenn: A week out, SEPTA cuts loom: Will they affect you?
WHYY: Ahead of SEPTA cuts, Philly tells residents to plan for extra commute times next week
6abc: Several bus routes to be eliminated, starting Sunday, in first phase of SEPTA cuts in Philadelphia
CBS News: What buses, trains is SEPTA cutting next week? What to know about cuts, new schedules, fare hikes
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: SEPTA funding crisis could affect central Pennsylvania’s Amtrak service, congressman warns
Philly Voice: Trump administration reluctantly resumes Biden-era funding to install EV chargers
Left to right: Elaine Fultz (Citizen’s Climate Lobby), Eric Cheung (Clean Air Council), Dennis Newman (Amtrak), Joe Minott (Clean Air Council)
PHILADELPHIA (February 1, 2024) – In mid-November, Amtrak made the decision to forego the installation of new gas boilers for heating in favor of clean, renewable energy, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and public health. Clean Air Council is now recognizing Amtrak for its actions to protect the environment and health of surrounding communities. Amtrak will convert its current steam generation to electricity that would be generated by wind and solar, or use biofuels. In addition, Amtrak has committed to purchasing 100 percent clean energy by 2030 and to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2045.
“Amtrak’s decision to use clean renewable energy instead of methane gas boilers is a big win for the climate and public health,” said Eric Cheung, Clean Air Council Acting Executive Director. “Amtrak’s action will help us advance the rapid transition off of fossil fuels and towards clean, renewable energy needed to combat the climate crisis. It also prevents Philadelphia residents from being exposed to the harmful air pollution that would have been emitted by the gas boilers.”
“After considering valuable external perspectives from stakeholders— including the Clean Air Council and Citizens Climate Lobby — Amtrak chose to eliminate gas boilers from the Gray 30th Street Station Redevelopment Project plans,” said Dennis Newman, executive vice president, strategy and planning, Amtrak. “We are grateful to be recognized with the Environmental Award from the Clean Air Council as we continue our efforts to be good community partners and a leading provider of sustainable travel.”
In addition to its action and commitment to protect the environment, Clean Air Council is presenting Amtrak with this award for its meaningful engagement with community organizations and listening to their concerns about the switch to gas-fired boilers it had been considering. By engaging with the community, the best possible outcome was achieved for all parties involved.
