“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!
Attention Lehigh Valley and Lancaster Transit Workers! Transit For All PA needs your help to improve public transit by taking these surveys. Link to the Lehigh Valley Survey and link to the Lancaster Survey.
WHYY: Pa. Gov. Shapiro signs ‘compromise’ state budget shortly after passage on Sunday – The 2026-2027 PA State Budget passed on Sunday, with Republicans and Democrats calling it a compromise. The budget comes two weeks after the state constitution-mandated deadline, late for the fifth year in a row. The $50.8 billion budget was signed by the Governor, with approval from 211 of the General Assembly’s 252 lawmakers. The budget leaves out several critical issues, such as transit, raising minimum wage, and affordable housing. Shapiro stated that there is still work to do, including addressing the lack of funding for mass transit that millions of Pennsylvanians rely on every day.
NBC Philadelphia: SEPTA is spending millions to stop fare evasion. Is it paying off? – Current fare evasion programs cost around $30 million a year, according to SEPTA. Some of the fare evasion measures include full-length gates at 10 stations, that cost around $400,000 each. The gates are intended to stop riders from jumping the turnstile. At the 10 stations with full-length gates, fare evasion has been cut in half, reducing it from one in two riders not paying to one in four. SEPTA expects the machines to pay for themselves over the next few years, and has plans to expand the fare-evasion programs at more stations over the next several years.
Philly Voice: Uber is offering free rides to older adults in West and Southwest Philly – ACHIEVEability, a Philadelphia social services organization, is running a program for older adults living in West and Southwest Philly. Codes are available for people aged 60+ for a one-time $50 voucher to access healthcare, buy groceries, or meet other critical needs. The program will run until the $10,000 budget is spent. For more information about the program, text ACHIEVEability at (215) 748-8817 or call (215) 879-6625. Clean Air Council also runs an Uber voucher program servicing the 110, 111, 114, & 117 SEPTA lines. Find more information or to register visit here.
Other Stories
The Inquirer: Here’s what’s in — and not in — Pennsylvania’s $50.8 billion state budget
NBC Philadelphia: Falls Bridge to close to cars on weekday overnights for inspection: Officials
BillyPenn: Westbound I-76 in West Philly to close at night for bridge construction
Philly Voice: Amtrak trains to run at reduced speeds due to heat wave
Mass Transit Magazine: SEPTA launches bike parking lockers at Fox Chase station
Philadelphia Today: Inside the Bitter Political Fight That Nearly Made the Ben Franklin Bridge Free
City of Philadelphia: The Streets Department of Transportation Announces Construction of New Pedestrian Refuge Islands Along Chestnut Street
“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
