“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.
Losing our state’s public transit infrastructure is a scary future! Join the Transit For All PA campaign for sustainable transit funding to keep our state moving forward. Happy Halloween!
Election day is Tuesday, November 4th. Find your polling place here!
CBS Philadelphia: City Council passes bill that could put Philadelphia’s bike lane safety project back on track – Last week, Philadelphia City Council passed a bill that gave the Streets Department the authority to establish loading zones in parts of Center City, including Spruce and Pine streets. This was part of an earlier initiative to protect cyclists, as loading zones would keep stopped cars out of bike lanes. Neighborhood group Friends of Pine and Spruce won a lawsuit in June, stopping the city from enacting this plan and to reverse work that had been completed. This bill overrides that decision and the Mayor has 10 days to sign the bill, making it effective immediately.
WHYY: More time? SEPTA asks for extension of federal deadline to inspect aging Silverliner railcars – The deadline given to SEPTA for the inspection of the Silverliner rail cars is Friday, October 31st. Now SEPTA has requested an additional 2 weeks in order to inspect the over 220 cars included in the order. Over 100 have been inspected so far with around two-thirds failing and only 35 cars returning to service immediately. According to SEPTA, most that have failed inspection only need minor repairs and then can be returned to service. A decision on the two week extension is expected by the end of this week.
The Inquirer: Greyhound bus terminal likely to reopen on Filbert Street after two years of tumult – The Philadelphia Parking Authority reached an agreement with City officials this week, and the former intercity bus terminal on Filbert could be getting a major renovation. The PPA will begin renovations and run the Greyhound bus station on behalf of the City, according to the agreement. Legislation to assess feeds and other items was introduced this week to City Council and the PPA board must agree to the lease. Spring Guard traffic issues have been haunting Philadelphia for over two years. This solution would address the problem, but would require cooperation from other entities such as the Streets Department, to direct traffic pattern changes around the Filbert depot.
Other Stories
PhillyVoice: Your guide to Philadelphia’s $91 million streetlight replacement project
BillyPenn: “On a scale of 1 to 10, we’re a negative-2”: Airport workers struggle amid shutdown
6ABC: I-76 westbound ramp to City Avenue to close for repairs
“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.
The Inquirer: SEPTA riders say Regional Rail trains catching fire ‘is what decades of disinvestment looks like’ – Last week advocacy groups held a press conference at Love Park urging leaders to properly fund mass transit. They said avoiding doing so over the last several years has created the host of problems currently being faced by SEPTA, and the state of Pennsylvania. Advocates say that without a set budget, SEPTA is forced to use capital funds to keep service running, rather than spend that money on capital improvements, and we are seeing the first example of the arising problems with the Silverliner IV car fires.
Transit Talent (Originally posted to the Inquirer): SEPTA is postponing hybrid bus purchases, accessibility projects to keep the lights on – Several improvement projects by SEPTA have been placed on hold due to lack of funding from the state. New hybrid or electric bus purchases, accessibility improvements to the Bristol Regional Rail station, and expansion of the Frazer train facility in Malvern are some of the projects pushed back. Projects that already have broken ground will continue, including the Market-Frankford Line and trolley car replacements, as well as the modernization of trolley systems.
PhillyVoice: Nighttime work on I-95 will close lanes in Northeast Philly for most of November – Weeknights in November will see lane closures approaching the Cottman Avenue Interchanges. This will be in effect from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. from November 3rd until November 28th. Construction efforts are currently focused on the 8 miles between I-676 and Cottman Avenue. This is the final phase of the Cottman Avenue Interchange project. For more information on I-95 construction and closures, be sure to follow the Clean Air Council’s Facebook page.
Other Stories
6ABC: Sinkhole closes portion of Schuylkill River Trail in Center City Philadelphia
PhillyVoice: At 30th Street Station, deep cleaning is the ‘true artisan work’ of a $550 million renovation
6ABC: ‘South Jersey Girls Who Walk’ brings a social club to local women
WFMZ: SEPTA’s City Hall Station is getting a face lift ahead of America’s 250th birthday celebrations
Momentum Mag: Philly Bike Train is Upping the City of Brotherly Love’s Bicycle Commute Game
“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.
Are you registered to vote? The deadline for PA voters to register for the November 4th election is Monday! Check your status and register here.
Join the Transit For All PA campaign for sustainable transit funding to keep our state moving forward.
The Inquirer: See inside SEPTA’s efforts to inspect Regional Rail cars that keep catching fire – An emergency order by the Federal Railroad Administration has ordered SEPTA to inspect 225 Silverliner IVs by the end of the month. Inspectors and engineers are looking for signs of overheating and damage to circuits, and are doing electrical testing. The review process began last week, and crews can now handle 12 cars per day. So far inspections have not found any glaring issues, other than normal wear and tear.
CBS Philadelphia: SEPTA says crime continues to drop as transit agency cracks down on fare evasion – Crime has continued to drop on SEPTA according to a quarterly report released on Wednesday. The report showed a 10% decrease in serious crimes compared to the same period of last year. Seven out of eight crime categories have seen a reduction, and riders have reported feeling safer at stations and on board vehicles.
NBC Philadelphia: Philly City Council holds public hearing on SEPTA’s Silverliner IV trains – Amid safety concerns and the inspection of Silverliner IV railcars, Philadelphia City Council’s Transportation and Public Utilities Committee hosted a public hearing. Ongoing delays, the status of inspections, and SEPTA’s timeline were discussed at 2 p.m. on Thursday. SEPTA was given October 31st as their deadline, and they are on track to meet that. The return to “normal”, as things were before inspections began, might be a bit of a longer wait according to the SEPTA General Manager.
Other Stories
NBC Philadelphia: Road closures, SEPTA detours for ‘No Kings’ protest in Philadelphia this weekend
6ABC: ‘We Walk PHL’ helps community members get active and explore Philly parks
CBS Philadelphia: PATCO restores train service after PSE&G power outage
Streetsblog USA: States Have More Power Than They Think to Fund Sustainable Transportation
BillyPenn: Philly disability rights advocates demand accessible 2026 celebrations
NBC Philadelphia: Enjoy a 20-mile car-free experience with Philly Bike Ride this October
“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.
NBC Philadelphia: Philly lawyer files another lawsuit to stop SEPTA’s fare increase – This week the same Philadelphia lawyer whose previous lawsuit caused a judge to order the full restoration of SEPTA’s services is filing another suit. This class-action lawsuit aims for SEPTA to roll back its 21.5% fare hike. The previous lawsuit resulted in SEPTA tapping into their state capital assistance funding over the next two years. The Pennsylvania legislature continues to miss budget deadlines, leaving public transit without a state budget.
The Inquirer: SEPTA Regional Rail riders face delays, cancellations due to emergency order – SEPTA is performing emergency inspections on railcars this week, leading to delays across the Regional Rail system. SEPTA’s oversight body, the Federal Railroad Administration, issued an emergency order on Monday, removing all cars 50 years and older to complete a thorough inspection. SEPTA riders can expect shorter trains with limited capacity for the next few weeks, as the full inspection needs to be completed within 30 days.
WHYY: Delaware County debuts online interactive map for growing trail system – Delaware County is making information easier to access for the over 45 miles of trail currently open to the public. The online database has all necessary information in one place, with real-time status updates about the growing system. There are around 12 miles of trails currently under construction or in the design phase, with an additional 78 miles in the feasibility or planning phase. The informational hub is a collaborative effort between municipal and regional planning partners, with hopes that public access can increase in the weeks to come before cold weather fully sets in.
Other Stories
Philly Voice: After spate of e-bike deaths, NJ lawmakers propose restrictions and insurance requirements
BillyPenn: ‘Community is a top priority’: This S. Kensington bike shop is owned by its employees
The Inquirer: PHL has more flights this year but lost some low-cost routes
Chestnut Hill Local: New markers on Green Ribbon Trail improve Wissahickon safety
Fox Philadelphia: Philadelphia ranked #1 ‘worst’ city in US to drive in: report
Philadelphia Citizen: Can We Make Car-Free Streets Permanent?
“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.
WHYY: Philadelphia transit advocates want you to spend your week without driving – Monday saw the start of the national Week Without Driving, and the kick-off event was hosted by Transit Forward Philly, a coalition of Philadelphia advocacy groups, discussing how to improve public transit options in the city. Week Without Driving exists to highlight how our urban infrastructure excludes the one-third of Americans that don’t rely on driving as their main form of transportation. Transit advocates across Philadelphia ask drivers to try to limit their car use this week to see what it’s like and consider how infrastructure can be improved for all.
BillyPenn: Councilmember holds City Hall bike lane bill, alarming cycling advocates – A new bike lane that was slated to be installed for free by PennDOT could be in limbo for a little bit longer. A City Council Committee held off on voting for the approval bill, meaning when PennDOT installs it later this month, it will be considered a pilot program, and could be in danger of being shut down at a later date. More than 20 people testified in favor of the bill at the committee session this week, but the bill’s sponsor Councilman Jeffery Young announced the bill would be put on hold. This bike lane can still be brought up in future City Council Committee meetings.
The Inquirer: Philly Rail Park could expand as new federal ruling clears the way – A federal ruling this week expands plans for the elevated Rail Park in the Callowhill neighborhood. Until the ruling, the old Reading Railroad Viaduct was classified as a railroad, and railroads are exempt from condemnation or taxation. The viaduct was ruled abandoned this week, removing the rail operation designation. The land, now under state and local jurisdiction, can now be condemned if the city can’t reach an agreement with Reading International. Overall goals for the area include a three-mile greenway across historic rail lines, connecting 10 neighborhoods, and filled with paths and greenery.
Other Stories
Chestnut Hill Local: Feet First Philly grants make city more walkable
NBC Philly: NTSB recommends SEPTA suspend more than half of its trains after 5 fires
BillyPenn: The Philly Bike Ride returns for a fourth year of leisurely cruising along Philly’s streets
Chestnut Hill Local: Capital Funds and the Risk for SEPTA
WHYY: NJ Transit is spending billions of dollars on a new fleet of buses. Here’s what to know
NBC Philly: Enjoy a 20-mile car-free experience with Philly Bike Ride this October
“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. The full list of requirements and further information can be found here.
BillyPenn: Construction begins on new bike lane around City Hall – A new bike lane will appear around City Hall, thanks to bike advocates lobbying City Council to allow PennDOT to rearrange traffic lanes during a scheduled repavement. One car lane will be removed from three sides of the City Hall square to make room. The new bike lane, which will include flexible plastic posts to separate it from car traffic, is part of an effort to improve cyclist safety and calm congestion in Center City. Although City Council has not approved the bike lane yet, repaving is expected to start in two weeks.
PlanPhilly: Philly cyclists, commuters celebrate the reopening of the MLK Drive Bridge this weekend – The MLK Drive Bridge is officially open for the first time in over two years, following a $20 million rehabilitation project. The bridge opened to pedestrians and cyclists on Friday, after a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Mayor Cherelle Parker, and to vehicles on Monday. Renovations included adding a 10 1/2-foot-wide bike path alongside the vehicle lanes; in a further effort to keep the bridge cyclist- and pedestrian-friendly, the bridge will be closed to vehicles on weekends until November.
Mass Transit: NJ Transit board approves purchase of nearly 300 new buses to fully modernize fleet by 2031 goal – NJ Transit has approved the purchase of 26 zero-emission buses and 260 40-foot clean diesel buses, the last step in the transit agency’s goal to modernize its bus and rail fleet by 2031. NJ Transit President and CEO Kris Kolluri predicts that the new buses, which will replace the current aging 40-foot bus fleet, will enhance reliability, safety, and overall customer experience.
Other Stories
NBC10: MLK Drive Bridge in Philly reopens to pedestrians, cyclists and cars
North Penn Now: Lansdale: Main Street paving ‘moving along nicely’
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pennsylvania and other states scramble to plug transportation funding holes
The Inquirer: The MLK Drive bridge reopens to rave reviews from runners, bikers, and pedestrians
WHYY: Philadelphia tests out ‘cool pavement’ in Hunting Park to combat summer heat
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pennsylvania’s budget is nearly three months past due
Clean Air Council is thrilled to once again be partnering with Indego for Cycle September, a month-long challenge to promote cycling in Philadelphia and beyond. If you’re not already a bike rider, there are plenty of reasons to get involved, and signing up is free and easy. Here are just a few reasons you should join the challenge!
1. You Can Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The best benefit to riding a bicycle instead of driving a gas-burning vehicle is that it saves greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere. These gases are the ones baking our planet, making it hotter and more difficult to live on. Using your own body to power your transportation may sound like a small contribution. But transportation accounts for the largest portion of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, so it’s crucial that we take steps to address this impact as a community.
2. Every Little Trip Counts
Consider taking a bike to work, to school, to meet up with friends, to run errands, or just for fun! If you’re used to driving a car everywhere, you may be surprised how many of your trips could be completed on a bike. In 2022, the Department of Energy reported that 52% of car trips are for distances under 3 miles and 28% of total trips are to destinations under a mile away. You don’t have to go very far to make a difference!
3. Alleviate a Little SEPTA Mayhem
Did you know that before its funding was cut SEPTA kept 675,000 cars off the road? Thanks to recent punctures to the public transit system, car traffic (and the pollution it brings) is bound to increase in our region. Plus, reports show the cuts to SEPTA’s services have resulted in crowded buses, skipped stops, and long wait times. By biking, you’ll not only help lower local emissions, but you’ll also help alleviate some of the pressure on Philly’s “new normal” as riders adjust to fewer SEPTA routes and services. If you’ve previously considered hopping on a bike instead of the bus, now might be a good time to try it out.
4. Earn Exciting Prizes
For Cycle September, Clean Air Council and Indego encourage Philadelphians to take at least 5 one-way trips on two wheels. Once you’re registered for the challenge, you simply need to log your bike rides and you’ll be automatically entered into drawings for exciting prizes. Not ready to commit? Even if you take just one trip, you’ll be eligible for a swag bag giveaway from Go Philly Go!
5. You Don’t Even Need a Bike!
Don’t own a bike? Don’t worry, you can still participate in Cycle September. Indego, Philadelphia’s bike-share system, has over 250 stations throughout the city where you can rent a manual or electric bike and ride to popular events and places. If you’re taking part in the challenge, you can enjoy a discount on your first month with code INDECYCLE25.
6. Recreational Rides Count, Too
Can’t commute by bike? Work from home? Luckily, recreational rides count toward Cycle September! If you’re in need of inspiration, you can use GoPhillyGo to find accessible biking trails and exciting places to experience in Philadelphia. The mobile-friendly site has plenty of destination ideas and biking routes. Our favorite trips include:
- Take a ride along the river on the Schuylkill River Trail and stop by Fairmount Waterworks to view the falls. Take a break at the Cosmic Café and Ciderhouse or continue riding up scenic Kelly Drive.
- Parks on Tap is in full swing, bringing drinks and food to a different park location every weekend during September. It’s a great way to visit greenspaces throughout the city.
- Want to go a bit further out into nature? Take a ride on the Wissahickon Valley Park Trail.
By changing how you get around, you can lower greenhouse gas emissions and improve local air quality. Join Clean Air Council’s Cycle September challenge by biking instead of driving a car and you’ll be joining cyclists all over the city that are making Philadelphia more sustainable each day.
On Tuesday, June 3, 2025, Clean Air Council’s Trail and Transportation Teams, along with the help of East Coast Greenway, celebrated 2025’s World Bicycle Day with a bike ride from Center City Philadelphia to Southwest Philadelphia. Starting at City Hall, the ride navigated bike lanes in Center City and West/Southwest Philadelphia. Participants cycled sections of the Schuylkill River Trail and East Coast Greenway, including the newly opened Christian to Crescent Trail and Cobbs Creek Trail.
The 10+ mile ride highlighted opportunities for employees to commute sustainably to work while enjoying the safety and green space off off-road ADA-compliant trails offer. A flat tire during the ride didn’t stop riders from reaching their final destination and receiving regional maps of the Circuit Trails to further explore the region’s almost 500 miles of trails. Participants were also given instructions on how to use GoPhillyGo to plan their sustainable trip using a combination of walking, biking, and public transit. GoPhillyGo.org can be used to find directions to trails and environmental centers throughout greater Philadelphia. Participants were also left with swag gift bags including t-shirts, stickers, and more.
A big thanks to all of the riders who joined the Council and made Philadelphia’s air quality a little better while getting their exercise for the day. Learn more about the Council’s Trail Team and Transportation Teams work.
What is one way that you can improve air quality while getting a physical and mental health boost? Biking! The Clean Air Council is committed to advocating for sustainable modes of transportation like accessible and affordable public transit, walking, and biking. In May, we are partnering with Love to Ride, a global organization championing the health and fitness benefits of biking, and Indego Bike Share, Philadelphia’s local bike share program, to bring you the May Bike Month Challenge.
The May Bike Month Challenge is an exciting opportunity to get outside, try something new, or if you are already a seasoned cyclist, go the extra mile! The sign-up is free and easy. Log 5 miles or more over the course of the month, and you are automatically entered into drawings for cash prizes and local gifts like the grand prize, a $4000 vacation or $500 to a restaurant of your choice. While wellness and a chance at prizes are major incentives for hopping on your bike this Spring, you will also be doing your part to help reduce air pollution in Philadelphia. Almost a quarter of total emissions come from transportation. Around 70% of the amount of emissions from passenger vehicles come from trips of 10 miles or less. Last May, Philadelphians biked 43,000 miles and saved 3 tons of carbon emissions from entering the atmosphere. Join us to reduce even more greenhouse gas emissions this year.
Don’t have a bike of your own? Indego Bike Share has you covered. Follow our social media because we will be announcing a promo code before May 1st, offering a 30-day pass to new users for just $5! Take advantage of the over 250 bike stations throughout the city and explore Philadelphia.
Looking for places to go? GoPhillyGo can help. Visit GoPhillyGo to get routes to destinations and events on Philadelphia’s vast trail park system and at nature centers in the Alliance for Watershed Education. Connecting with community and nature is easy using the GoPhillyGo Trip Planner as your guide.
- Take a ride along the river on the Schuylkill River Trail and stop by Fairmount Waterworks to view the falls. Take a break at the Cosmic Café and Cider House or continue riding up scenic Kelly Drive.
- Bike the Wissahickon Trail using the GoPhillyGo Wissahickon Valley Self-Guided Tour.
- Forfeit the rush hour traffic and find Indego bike stations near home and the office, then use the GoPhillyGo Trip Planner to find a route to get some fresh air while commuting to work. Don’t do it alone, become a Workplace Champion, enter your job, and create a team with your coworkers.
Follow Clean Air Council on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for announcements, progress stats, and prize offerings. Let’s #Ride5 this May for a cleaner and healthier Philadelphia.
“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.
PhillyVoice: New SEPTA Regional Rail schedules take effect to improve service reliability – As of Sunday, the schedules of 13 regional rail lines have been adjusted to improve efficiency. These schedule changes, in addition to strategic staffing and maintenance crew deployments, aim to reduce delays and bolster service reliability. Image Source: PhillyVoice
The Inquirer: PATCO will stop running overnight trains to clean its stations – For six months this spring, PATCO will stop running overnight trains, from midnight to 4 a.m., on weekdays as its 13 stations are deep cleaned. The agency is coordinating with the city, social service organizations, and South Jersey municipalities to make stations cleaner and safer. Image Source: The Inquirer
NBC10: PATCO finally has reopening date for long-shuttered Franklin Square Station – On April 3rd, the renovated Franklin Square Station at 7th and Race will reopen for the first time in decades, expanding the PATCO line to 14 stations. Train service to the station will begin in the afternoon following a ceremony at noon. Image Source: The Inquirer
Other Stories
PhillyVoice: Market Street Bridge to close for 14 months starting August 2026 during $149 million rebuild
The Inquirer: Philly council members tabled a bill over concerns about bringing speed cameras to school zones
PhillyVoice: Reopening of MLK Drive Bridge pushed back to September after cold weather slowed repairs
NBC10: Lights go out in part of 30th Street Station, traffic lights outside also go down
StreetsBlog USA: What Will ‘Safe Streets and Road For All’ Mean Under Sec. Duffy?
