“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!
Pennsylvania Capitol – Star: More than a week after the deadline, state budget negotiations appear to be taking place – After missing the June 30 budget deadline, for the fifth year in a row, lawmakers are set to return to the Capitol area over the weekend. Last year’s budget was delayed by 135 days and neither Republicans nor Democrats have shared their next steps with the public. Without a state budget many schools, libraries and other institutions that rely on state funding are unable to make key decisions to keep public services in operation. With transit agencies in all counties across the state heading towards fiscal cliffs, service cuts, and fare increases, a revenue source is absolutely necessary.
95.7 Ben FM: Philadelphia Extends Zero Fare Transit Program Through July 2027 – The Zero Fare Program has been extended through next July. The program has served more than 24,000 people in its first year and provided over 6.2 million SEPTA trips. This is the largest low-barrier transit initiative for low-income riders in the country. Transit advocates are pushing for this program to be permanently funded by the city, as it reduces financial strain and increased access to work, education, healthcare, and more.
Philadelphia Today: Philadelphia Named Most Walkable City to Visit for Fourth Year in a Row – For the fourth consecutive year, USA Today listed Philadelphia as the most walkable city to visit in the United States. Neighborhoods highlighted for their walkability include Old City, Rittenhouse Square, and Center City. The city as a whole utilizes urban planning elements conducive to increased walkability, such as compact street plans, short blocks, rowhouse corridors, and corner businesses.
Other Stories
Metro Philadelphia: SEPTA stories take center stage at ‘Doors Are Opening’ performance
City of Philadelphia: The City of Philadelphia Unlocks Federal SS4A Funding to Improve Market East Streetscapes
Philadelphia Today: Bucks County Travelers Get New Nonstop Options as Breeze Airways Comes to Trenton-Mercer
“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 Fourth of July! As we celebrate America’s 250th, 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!
Spotlight PA: Pennsylvania’s budget is late for the fifth year in a row – Pennsylvania legislators missed the budget deadline of June 30, for the fifth year in a row. Republicans that lead the Senate have stated they expect the budget deal in the days after the fourth. Democrats that lead the House were less positive about passing a budget soon. Clashes over state spending, revenue sources, and other hot topics all delay budget deals. Without a set budget, many schools, libraries, non-profits, counties, and other recipients of state funds suffer. With transit agencies in all counties across the state heading towards fiscal cliffs, service cuts, and fare increases, a revenue source is absolutely necessary.
PhillyVoice: Here are the road closures and SEPTA detours for the Fourth of July concert and fireworks – Drivers can expect roads around the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to be closed this week as the city prepares for the Fourth of July concert and celebration on Saturday. The concert begins on the 4th at 5pm, with doors opening at 3pm, and concluding with fireworks at around 11:30pm. Several roads will be closed from Friday to Monday morning, the full list posted here. Several SEPTA routes will also be adjusted to accommodate the event.
PhillyVoice: PPA starts issuing speeding tickets using traffic cameras along Route 13 after warning period ends – Six traffic cameras have been active on Route 13 since April of this year, and will begin authorizing tickets to drivers exceeding the 25 mph speed limit. The 60-day warning period in Northeast Philadelphia is ending, and fines begin at $100. This is the latest in partnerships between the city and the PPA, aimed to improve traffic safety, and revenue brought in to cover further safety measures.
Other Stories
Philadelphia Today: Philadelphia’s Avenue of the Arts Completes First Phase of $150 Million AveArts 2.0 Transformation
CBS Pittsburgh: PRT unveils “Spirit of ’76”-inspired “T” train ahead of Fourth of July weekend festivities
BillyPenn: Here’s how road closures for America 250 events may affect your commute
CBS Philadelphia: NJ Transit fares increase by 3% starting July 1
The Inquirer: Spanning 100 Years: See how the Benjamin Franklin Bridge was built a century ago
“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.
The FIFA World Cup is here! 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: SEPTA, transit police reach tentative deal on new contract to avoid strike during World Cup – SEPTA police have been working without a contract since the end of March, and now they have reached a tentative agreement to avoid striking. Union members will now vote to ratify the agreement, and if agreed upon, it will move to SEPTA’s board for adoption. The agreement comes months after SEPTA reported significant drops in crime across the network. In 2023, the SEPTA police union authorized a strike, and after three days, it ended with a new contract.
NBC Philadelphia: 2000+ parking tickets issued during first weekend of FIFA Fan Fest in Lemon Hill – According to the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA), over 2,000 tickets were issued this past weekend for illegal parking near Lemon Hill’s FIFA Fan Fest. The event began on June 11 and will end on July 19. PPA monitored 587 residential blocks in the enforcement zone and issued 2,497 tickets for illegal parking. 173 were written in error to residents with valid parking permits, making around 7% of the tickets incorrect.
Erie Today (via AOL): How does the Pa. budget serve public transit outside big-city hubs? – It’s state budget season in Pennsylvania, and the due date is June 30, and PA’s state budget hasn’t been approved on time since 2021. Last year, the budget was delayed for five months, heavily due to Republicans blocking $292 million for public transit. This year, Shapiro will ask for $300 million for the Pennsylvania Public Transportation Trust Fund to pay for public transit across the state. Around 7.7% of sales tax goes into public transit, and the proposed budget would increase that by 1.75%. There are over 30 fixed-route public transit systems across the state outside PRT and SEPTA, and these smaller systems rely on state funding to access healthcare, employment, education, and travel. 65% of the state’s public transit users have no other transportation option, underscoring the need for the service.
Other Stories
Talk PA Transportation: Officials Seek Public Opinion: Statewide Transportation Improvement Program
Philly Voice: SEPTA moves forward with mixed-use development at Germantown Station
Urban Wire: Congress’s Transportation Reauthorization Bill Would Drastically Underfund Transit and Rail Projects
StreetsBlog USA: In New Jersey, Mayors Show How Quickly We Can Slow Down Drivers
Business Insider: Uber now keeps most of the fare from your ride in some cities, according to a new driver study
CBS Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh cyclist pedaling across the country for a good cause
