“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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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
