“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.
Action Alert: On January 26, LANTA will cut 5% of its service. This will cancel some trips on 13 bus lines. Send a letter to the Governor before his budget address and remind him about the transit crisis.
Philadelphia Tribune: SEPTA crimes at lowest levels in decade, with drop in cellphone thefts, pickpocketing – Recent quarterly data released from SEPTA shows that serious crimes are at the lowest levels since 2015. Notable decreases include a reduction in cellphone thefts, and pickpocketing is down as well. Post-pandemic crime numbers dramatically increased, and it seems these numbers are coming back down. SEPTA’s intricate camera system is making its clearance rates for crimes high as well. SEPTA notes that despite its funding struggles this year, riders should feel safer on transportation across the system.
WHYY: Philly bus terminal moving forward on Filbert Street – Plans to refurbish and reopen a Center City bus station are underway, with the official opening planned for May of this year. The former Greyhound bus terminal on Filbert Street will be reimagined by the Philadelphia Parking Authority, with internal demolition already completed, according to the agency. The terminal will impact traffic patterns along Spring Garden Street and hopefully create a safer traffic corridor for the Market East neighborhood. This is a 10-year deal, with plans to find a permanent solution eventually.
6ABC: Philadelphia urges residents to prepare for bitter temperatures – Philadelphia is preparing for the large winter storm coming this way this weekend, and SEPTA expects to feel the impacts. The city has warming centers open, and the water department is encouraging residents to prepare. SEPTA riders can expect some delays due to the storm, and possible watermain and pipe breaks. Further updates on the storm and weather coming this weekend can be found here.
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WHYY: How Philly’s Avenue of the Arts will be transformed into a green space
The Inquirer: How N.J. ended up having some of the most restrictive e-bike regulations in the country
Fox29: New public park in the works in Old City near Elfreth’s Alley
PhillyVoice: Five-year, $338 million project begins to widen four-mile stretch of Pa. Turnpike in Chester County
Business Insider: TransCore and South Jersey Transportation Authority Complete All-Electronic Tolling Conversion on the Atlantic City Expressway
“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 interested in traffic safety issues, pedestrian advocacy, and want to do more for your community? Vision Zero Philadelphia is hiring 2026 Ambassadors. Learn more and apply for the role here!
6ABC: SEPTA resumes Regional Rail morning express service; Center City T-trolley tunnel reopens – Regional Rail and Trolley riders began their week with increased service, from the suburbs to Center City. The T-trolley tunnel reopened Monday morning, once again connecting Center City to neighborhoods and communities throughout West Philadelphia . The tunnel has been closed since Mid-November for emergency repairs, and will have overnight closures for further repairs in February. Regional Rail riders also felt improvements this week, with express service resuming from the suburbs to Center city. Service has been gradually returning after Silverliner railcars were pulled from service, inspected, and repaired.
The Inquirer: Keeping seniors fit in Philly takes a citywide effort | Expert Opinion – 20% of Philadelphia are age 60 or older, and the senior population in the city has been growing for the past decade. Drexel Professor and physical therapist notes the importance of movement for longevity and health. It’s beneficial for mental and physical health, but 30% of seniors in Philadelphia report difficulty with mobile activities, such as walking or climbing stairs. Philadelphia’s walkability and access to green spaces are positives for seniors, with 95% of all Philadelphia residents living within a 10 minute walk of a public park. However, parks tend to be smaller and lower-quality for low-income neighborhood residents. Access and funding for green spaces, public transportation, senior community centers, and other lifelines, are critical for the health of seniors across Philadelphia.
Fox Philadelphia: Girard Point Bridge overhaul begins: 5-year traffic impact in Philly – Construction has begun on the Girard Point Bridge. The renovation will take five years to complete, and drivers need to know PennDot’s plans. Three lanes of traffic can be expected, but lane restrictions will occur as well. These restrictions will be focused on nights and weekends, but riders can find alternative commuting options here. Phase 1 of construction begins in February, and long-term traffic patterns will be installed in July of this year.
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WHYY: ‘Going to make my life much better’: SEPTA trolley riders react to tunnel reopening
CBS Philadelphia: Person with measles traveled through Philadelphia airport, 30th Street Station, health officials say
The Philadelphia Tribune: Visit Philly expecting 500,000 visitors for World Cup
Philadelphia.Today: New $11.5M Project Aims to Beautify Philadelphia in Preparation for 250th Birthday Celebrations
The Inquirer: We debated the best ways to snuff out bad SEPTA etiquette. The best advice came from you
The Travel: One Of America’s Most Beautiful Amtrak Stations Is Getting A Makeover
“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.
Happy 2026! Kick off the new year by following the Clean Air Council on Instagram, and check out our website.
BillyPenn: SEPTA expects Regional Rail crowding and delays to subside this month – After months of delays, crowded trains, and cancelled service, Regional Rail riders can expect relief, according to SEPTA. Inspections and repairs have been completed, and railcars are being put back into service. The current rate is about 8 repaired cars back into service every day. The increase in cars will cut down on the crowded conditions that commuters have been experiencing. SEPTA has also leased 10 coaches from Maryland’s transit system to fix the shortage during inspection and repairs. SEPTA is looking to purchase new railcars to upgrade and expand Regional Rail service, but the lack of funding in the State budget severely limits any improvements the agency can make.
WHYY: SEPTA says trolley wire replacements are done, estimates tunnel will reopen in ‘weeks’ – The trolley tunnel between Center City and West Philadelphia has been closed since November, and work is nearing completion, according to SEPTA last week. Wire replacements have been completed, but system testing is still ongoing, with estimates that the tunnel will reopen in mid-January. The longer repair times are due to the unique nature of the work. SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch noted that SEPTA is focused on returning service only when it’s tested and proven safe and reliable for public transit users.
NBC Philadelphia: SEPTA buses replace trains during construction along the Fox Chase Line – Starting Monday, January 5th, SEPTA riders on the Fox Chase Line will rely on bus service at the Fox Chase, Ryders, Cheltenham, Lawndale, and Olney stations. SEPTA crews will be installing new tracks on weekdays, from 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Regional Rail service is expected to operate between Wayne Junction and Center City. Construction and bus service will be expected to continue through early April.
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The Inquirer: SEPTA’s terrible, horrible, no good, very bad year
6ABC: Community-led Peace Patrol aims to boost safety on SEPTA
Fox Philadelphia: Philly’s red light cameras: $100 fines to start at Eakins Oval
Bicycle Coalition: 2025 Bike Count Summary Shows an Increase in Bicycle Trips
CBS Philadelphia: Atlantic City Expressway goes cashless as tolls rise for all drivers
“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 opens new $50M Wissahickon Transit Center in Manayunk – SEPTA finished the long-awaited Wissahickon Transportation Center, and it’s expected to serve 5,000 bus riders a day. The center is just down the street from the Wissahickon Regional Rail station, and construction on the $50 million project began in 2023. The transportation center is one of SEPTA’s busiest. The upgraded space was set to be the first of a wave of upgrades, many of which have since been paused due to a lack of funding.
Fox Philadelphia: South Philly street artist helps create signs displaying SEPTA bus arrival times – SEPTA bus signs are getting a makeover from a local Philly street artist known as “Mr. Bird.” Solar-powered signs display arrival times of buses on painted metal signs that connect to SEPTA’s website. The first route to get this unauthorized upgrade was Route 64 at Broad and Washington. Signs are also being installed along Route 47. Riders have reacted positively to the signs, and SEPTA has plans to upgrade bus signs in the next few years, but it’s unclear if a collaboration will occur.
Chester County: Chesco Connect Drives Into the Future with Propane Buses – A new fleet of buses is expected to hit the streets of Chester County by February. The fleet offers a way to cut costs for the County, and seven are already on the road. Chester County plans to add more propane buses in 2027, due to the significant price difference per gallon compared to gasoline or diesel. Montgomery and Lancaster Counties have both adopted propane bus integration to fleets, and it is a marginally ‘cleaner’ fuel source than gasoline. With a federal shift away from supporting electric vehicles, moving fleets to environmentally friendly alternatives is becoming more difficult.
Other Stories
6ABC: SEPTA reaches deal with SMART Local 1594 to avert strike
PhillyVoice: Delaware County trolley riders should plan for longer trips during weekends through May
6ABC: Philadelphia City Council votes to reopen Greyhound Bus Terminal
Bicycle Coalition: Bringing safety and joy at the 13th Annual Bike Light Giveaway
WHYY: Road salt remains in Pa., N.J. and Del. waterways months after winter storms, according to new data
CBS Philadelphia: NJDOT brings back holiday-themed highway signs to raise awareness about reckless driving
“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
“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.
CBS News: SEPTA begins charging for parking on weekends, holidays at lots and garages – SEPTA is reinstating parking fees at its parking lots and garages in another effort to reel in more money before impending service cuts. Beginning Monday, SEPTA will charge $2 for surfaced lots and $4 for garages, on both weekends and holidays.
Plan Philly: Penn’s Landing park over I-95 in Philly is taking shape. Here’s what to know – After a series of overnight closures, a busy section of I-95 will reopen at the end of this week with a portion of the new overhead cap completed. The entire cap, consisting of three sections, is expected to be completed by 2029. The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC), under a separate contract and in partnership with the city, will build a new park that will include green space situated over the then-completed I-95 cap.
Chalkbeat: Planned SEPTA service cuts will mean slower, less reliable commutes for Philly students – Philly middle and high school students, who are eligible for free SEPTA cards via a contract with the school district and SEPTA, are generally expected to use public transportation to get to school. These students are slated to experience unreliable transport, delays and inefficient routes if planned SEPTA cuts go through. Philadelphia’s Northeast neighborhoods, which show high student ridership on public transport, are expected to be hit particularly hard by cuts.
Other Stories
The Inquirer: From alerting riders to changing Google Maps, here’s how SEPTA is preparing for service cuts
StreetsBlog USA: Five of the Ugliest Transportation Policies In the ‘Big, Beautiful’ Bill
Metro Philadelphia: SEPTA to shut down Center City trolley tunnel for maintenance
6abc: Meter price increase takes effect in Center City Philadelphia
PlanPhilly: Passenger count at Wilmington Airport tops half a million amid expansion efforts
“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.
Philly Voice: Cyclists have right to ‘take the lane’ on Pennsylvania highways, state Supreme Court rules – The Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned a cyclist’s 2021 ticket for obstructing traffic, signaling that cyclists have the right to use a full lane while making reasonable efforts to avoid blocking traffic. The decision affirms that cyclists do not have to fully exit the roadway to allow cars to pass.
Philly Voice: SEPTA seeks input on how to improve dangerous Erie Avenue corridor – SEPTA is circulating a public survey to gain opinions from Erie Avenue residents on how the safety of the traffic-heavy corridor could be improved. The agency has proposed options of installing bus lanes with bump-outs for boarding or creating a center busway with elevated boarding platforms.
6abc: Heat causing big problems for commuters on SEPTA and Amtrak – Soaring temperatures this past week have caused train delays for SEPTA and Amtrak riders. In high temperatures, SEPTA conductors slow train speed by five to 10 mph to avoid warped tracks and damage to overhead wires, which can sag in extreme heat.
Other Stories
Mass Transit: PANYNJ adds 71 new officers to Port Authority Police Department
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: SEPTA is not just a Philly issue. All of Pennsylvania has a stake in mass transit too.
The Inquirer: Two years after Philly’s Greyhound station closed, the buses still have no permanent home
CBS News: SEPTA riders frustrated at prospect their train route could be cut: “It’s horrible”
“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.
Next City: A West Philly Bus Line Is Defying Post-Pandemic Trends. Here’s Why – Bus route 49, launched in 2019, had the highest post-pandemic growth in ridership out of all SEPTA’s buses. The bus route connects West Philly with Strawberry Mansion and Grays Ferry. It serves many older adults and seasoned SEPTA users.
NBC10: Amid SEPTA’s looming ‘death spiral,’ Pa. House passes transit funding bill – The PA House passed the Public Transportation Trust Fund Transfer Act on Tuesday, a bill created by Rep. Ed Neilson (D-Philadelphia) that would invest nearly $300 million into mass transit funding for Pennsylvania counties. The bill, which aligns with Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget proposal, has moved to the state Senate for consideration.
WHYY: SEPTA swears in new transit police officers amid budget woes and ongoing safety concerns – Despite its budget crisis, SEPTA swore in 13 new transit police officers on Monday, bringing the agency’s police force up to 192 officers. The move to bolster police presence on SEPTA services and locations intends to increase safety and security for riders.
Other Stories
Billy Penn: A SEPTA funding boost is uncertain amid a complex state budget struggle
The Inquirer: Not just SEPTA
Mass Transit: PA: How $2.6 million will make the Lehigh Valley safer for bicyclists and close a key trail gap
Plan Philly: Northeast Philly neighbors sue to block PennDOT’s plans to narrow a commercial corridor for cars, add bike lanes
“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.
Philly Voice: Groups race to get bike lane around City Hall approved before repaving project this summer– Advocacy groups Philly Bike Action and 5th Square are spearheading an effort to install a bike lane around City Hall to improve cyclist and pedestrian safety. This campaign is on a tight timeline: the groups asked Councilmember Jeffrey Young Jr. to introduce an ordinance on Thursday, the last meeting of City Council before their summer recess. The bike lane could be added when the road is repaved this summer, a process that happens only once every 12 years.
Image Source: Philly Voice
NBC10: SEPTA’s Chestnut Hill East Line to be shut down for months. What to know – Beginning this Sunday, construction on five bridges along the Chestnut Hill East Regional Rail line will result in the line’s closure until September 2nd. Additional service will be provided on the Chestnut Hill West Line to accommodate commuters.
Image Source: The Chestnut Hill Local
Philly Voice: ‘No Kings’ protest’ against Trump administration to close Ben Franklin Parkway, other streets on Saturday – This Saturday, the “No Kings” Protest in Philly will result in staggered road closures as protestors march from Love Park to the Art Museum. For a full list of road closures with times, see here.
Other Stories
CBS News: For Philadelphia’s Strawberry Mansion neighborhood, potential SEPTA cuts would be devastating
CBS News: New Jersey Transit train engineers OK tentative deal that ended 3-day strike
The Inquirer: Massive fire at SEPTA bus lot was caused by electric batteries that have ignited before
KYW Newsradio: SEPTA GM returns to Harrisburg to continue lobbying for transit funding
Mass Transfit: PA: Public transit was ‘an essential part’ of Philly’s winning World Cup bid. Will it be there for next year’s games?
“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.
Billy Penn: How to find transit resources for aging adults in Philly – Adults 65 and older can obtain a SEPTA Key Senior Fare Card, which allows free rides on all SEPTA services in PA and 50% off Regional Rail services that start or end in New Jersey or Delaware. This card is available via appointments at the SEPTA headquarters or participating State Senate and State House district offices. Certain eligible seniors can also participate in SEPTA’s CCT Connect program, which offers door-to-door ridesharing services.
Mass Transit: SEPTA rolls out first hydrogen-powered buses into revenue service – The first two of SEPTA’s 10 hydrogen fuel-cell electric bus fleet have officially entered revenue service, as part of a pilot program designed to measure the buses’ performance. The buses are a huge milestone in SEPTA’s zero-emissions bus (ZEB) program, featuring zero tailpipe emissions, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and decreased noise pollution.
The Inquirer: SEPTA appoints Scott Sauer, former trolley driver, as permanent general manager – On Monday, SEPTA board officials appointed Scott Sauer as general manager, a position he has held in an interim status since December. Sauer has worked in various roles at SEPTA for 35 years. Board members are optimistic about his ability to lead the agency through its budgetary upheaval.
Other Stories
City of Philadelphia: Wrapping Up National Bike Month with a Look at Recent Events & Upcoming Projects
WHYY: Fire that damaged multiple decommissioned SEPTA buses at Philly storage yard now under control
KYW Newsradio: Pa. lawmakers, transit advocates rally for state funding to avoid SEPTA service slashes
The Inquirer: Pine and Spruce Street residents sue over Philly’s efforts to upgrade bike lanes
