“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.
BE SURE TO VOTE IN THE GENERAL PRIMARY ON MAY 19TH. Register to vote, request a mail-in ballot, and find your polling location here.
Are you in the Lehigh Valley area or the Lancaster area? Please take a transit survey from Transit For All PA, to help us better understand transit needs for users in the area. Lehigh Valley survey link and Lancaster area survey link.
The Inquirer: Fatal crashes are down overall in Pa., but higher for pedestrians and cyclists in Philadelphia – Pennsylvania has been making great strides in safety, last year saw the least number of deaths from traffic crashes, since record keeping began in 1928. However, advocate groups such as Philly Bike Action (PBA) point out that pedestrians and cyclists are not seeing the safety benefits. From 2020 to 2025, crashes overall involving non-motorists have increased in Philadelphia, and serious crashes have declined in that same time frame. In 2025, 55% of people killed in city crashes were non-motorists, and fatalities can be further reduced with traffic calming measures, to further protect pedestrians and cyclists, according to PBA.
NBC Philadelphia: Center City District introducing weekday edition of Open Streets this June – This summer, Open Streets returns, but now on Tuesday evenings. On Tuesdays from June 2nd through June 30th, effective from 2 PM until 10 PM, pedestrians will be prioritized, rather than cars. The affected streets are 13th St from Chestnut to Walnut, Sansom St from 12th to Juniper, and Drury St. The evenings will feature musical and artistic performances, and outdoor activities. Some local businesses will also be extending hours to match Open Streets as well.
BillyPenn: Philly travelers cheer reopening of intercity bus station, mostly – Philadelphia’s main intercity bus station has been open and operating for a few weeks now, with minimal issues. The Philadelphia Parking Authority has completed the $5 million project, with 11 renovated bus bays, seating for over 180 passengers, and other helpful features. Passengers noted the improvements of shelter from the elements, and drivers said it was easier without illegally parked cars on Spring Garden Street.
Other Stories
NBC Philadelphia: NTSB releases report following May 2025 SEPTA train crash that injured 10
CBS Philadelphia: Pennsylvania lawmakers consider suspending gas tax as prices keep climbing
The Inquirer: Going to the PGA Championship at Aronimink? Here’s what to know, including transit, parking, food options, and more
The Philadelphia Citizen: Ideas We Should Steal: Fix the Sidewalks!
MSN News (The Inquirer): These Manayunk public stairs have been closed for 13 years. A civic group wants them fixed and reopened.
6ABC: Leaders mark world asthma day with call for clean air protections in Philadelphia
The Inquirer: SEPTA’s decision to focus on housing, not parking, is a win for Southeastern Pennsylvania | Editorial
“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.
BE SURE TO VOTE IN THE GENERAL PRIMARY ON MAY 19TH. Register to vote, request a mail-in ballot, and find your polling location here.
Are you interested in improving the health and built environment of Philadelphia? The Nutrition and Physical Activity Team in the Health Department of Philadelphia is hiring a Built Environment Coordinator, and a Community Health Infrastructure Coordinator. Click the links in the titles to learn more about these roles and their impact!
CBS Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh Regional Transit says success of NFL draft is “proof” why funding is needed – The NFL Draft was held in Pittsburgh this month, with over 800,000 attendees setting records for crowds. Traffic was feared to bring the city to a standstill. Pittsburgh Regional Transit offered a successful alternative. An estimated tens of thousands of people used the PRT football flyers and the light rail system. The agency emphasized park-and-rides, to avoid overcrowding and congestion near events. This was a unique set of circumstances, with Saturday service being offered during the week, and not something that will be immediately repeated. The success of the service offered can be a strong bargaining chip for fighting in Harrisburg for funding.
BillyPenn: Lawsuit stalls bike lane upgrade, but Philadelphia pushes ahead on loading zones – Philadelphia City Council approved legislation this week that would allow the Streets Department to create loading zones without needing to seek council approval each time. The zones would be for delivery trucks and other vehicles throughout Center City. This is an expansion of the smart loading zone pilot program, using camera-based systems to issue tickets to drivers violating parking restrictions. These zones create safer routes for cyclists, as delivery drivers will not be forced to park in the bike lanes. A court hearing on the proposed loading zones on Spruce and Pine is expected in early June, after the group Friends of Pine and Spruce sued to block the proposal.
WHYY: Philadelphia Parking Authority unveils renovated Filbert Street bus station – Bus riders will no longer need to board and depart buses on Spring Garden Street, with no bathrooms or shelter, left to face the elements. The $5 million renovated old Greyhound facility on Filbert Street is open to riders as of May 1st. Buses are redirected to Market Street to decrease congestion, and the project was completed on time and on budget, according to PPA head Rich Laser. The building is leased for the next 10 years, with a 5-year option to extend. City officials are still searching for a permanent replacement bus terminal, with hopes to better connect to 30th Street Station for rail access.
Other Stories
WFMZ: LANTA’s 1st fare increase in more than a decade goes into effect
The Inquirer: SEPTA wants apartments instead of a parking garage near Conshohocken Station
WHYY: Straight ‘F’s: Philadelphia region’s air quality ranking worsens in annual lung health report
NBC Philadelphia: Center City is Philly’s fastest-growing area, but faces 3 key challenges: Report
Amtrak Media: Amtrak Unveils Replica Liberty Bell at Philadelphia’s Gray 30th Street Station
“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 Transit Forward Philadelphia for events and actions to fight for transit funding and other wins in the City Budget. Attend City Council Budget Hearings, and learn how to advocate with Transit Forward Philadelphia.
Are you interested in improving the health and built environment of Philadelphia? The Nutrition and Physical Activity Team in the Health Department of Philadelphia is hiring a Built Environment Coordinator, and a Community Health Infrastructure Coordinator. Click the links in the titles to learn more about these roles and their impact!
NBC Philadelphia: Illegal parkers face new fines as warning period ends for SEPTA trolley cameras – SEPTA trolley cameras announced earlier this year started issuing tickets this week. Cameras on trolleys serving lines T1 through T5, and G1, will issue tickets to illegally parked vehicles, with a $51 fine. The cameras are powered by AI, but are reviewed by PPA employees before tickets are issued. This expands on a similar program on over 150 SEPTA buses, which was launched last year, and has issued over 112,000 tickets.
BillyPenn: SEPTA aims to increase reliability with 24 new Canadian coach cars – SEPTA has purchased 24 new coach cars from Exo for their fleet. Exo runs the public transportation system in Montreal. SEPTA aims to increase capacity for riders, to offer more reliability in service. The purchase was paid for from the over $200 million awarded, to help SEPTA fix its aging train. The railcars are expected to be phased into service later this spring.
SEPTA: SEPTA to Begin Major Rehabilitation Project Along M Line – The Norristown High Speed Line, also known as the M, will be getting major improvements over the next few months. Structural repairs will be made to the Bridgeport Viaduct, and bus service will replace the train between Bridgeport Station and Norristown Transit Center until May 9th. The project is estimated to cost around $55 million and is expected to take around one year to complete.
Other Stories
BillyPenn: Mayor Parker’s ‘pothole squads’ would be funded by proposed 25-cent delivery tax
BillyPenn: SEPTA launches publicity blitz ahead of bus network overhaul
6ABC: Gas prices top $4 nationally and in Philadelphia for first time since 2022
City & State Pennsylvania: Q&A with SEPTA General Manager Scott Sauer
Bicycle Coalition: Bike Explorers Kicks Off Spring Season at Lewis Elkins Elementary
“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.
Save the SEPTA Zero Fare Program! Follow Transit Forward Philadelphia for events and actions to fight for this program.
The Inquirer: SEPTA trolleys will use AI cameras to catch drivers breaking no-parking rules in Philly – Starting this week, cars parked illegally in the SEPTA trolley lanes will be issued tickets from automated enforcement cameras. 30 trolleys across six lines will be getting AI-camera systems installed to issue those tickets. Violations will result in a mailed warning until April 1st, afterwards there will be a $51 ticket. This program is in addition to the 152 SEPTA buses with AI-powered cameras issuing tickets for parking in bus lanes which began last year. Trolleys cannot go off track to avoid illegally parked cars, they result in delays to service, and hours of delays total.
BillyPenn: 30th Street a popular option for Philly’s future intercity bus station – Three potential sites are being evaluated by the City of Philadelphia to build a permanent bus terminal for Greyhound and other intercity carriers. The old Filbert St. site near Chinatown will soon house intercity bus pick up and drop off, with plans to reopen in May. The lease on that site will end in 10 years, with extensions only available for 5 additional years. The sites being evaluated would be a permanent home, and owned by the City. The most popular option at a public meeting last week was the 30th St Station. Wednesday’s open house was a crucial first step for this plan, with plans for more public meetings later this year. An online survey is also available and seeking feedback.
PhillyVoice: SEPTA gets $5.5 million in federal funding to enhance World Cup service – The Federal Transit Administration is awarding the 11 host cities of the World Cup funds to run service and make improvements ahead of the six games scheduled for Lincoln Financial Field. SEPTA is getting around $5.5 million to assist with expenses for the World Cup and other 2026 events. The estimated cost to increase service this summer is expected to be around $21.5 million. SEPTA typically adds 10 extra trips to the Broad Street Line schedule before and after Eagles games, and will probably do the same for World Cup matches. FIFA FanFest is a five week festival at Lemon Hill taking place this summer, and along with the nation’s 250th anniversary, SEPTA will be operating at a much larger capacity. These funds support the operational budget, which has been underfunded for years due to lack of state support.
Other Stories
Pittsburgh Regional Transit: Bus Line Refresh
The Inquirer: Mayor Parker backs legislation to boost housing development around SEPTA stations
PhillyVoice: Waymo is tweaking its self-driving car tech to navigate in heavy snowfall
Philadelphia Today: PA’s Anniversary License Plates Confuse Toll Readers, Sending Out Wrong Bills
The Inquirer: SEPTA chief gets a three-year contract at $395,000 a year
SEPTA: SEPTA Ended Key Tix Sales; Riders Must Use Tickets within 180 Days of Purchase
“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.
Register here for Transit Equity Day: Workshop & Celebration! Join Clean Air Council and Transit Transit Forward Philadelphia to celebrate on 2/21 with food, speakers, and community activities. Register and learn more here!
Happy Valentine’s Day! Download Valentines for your favorite public transit rider from the Council here.
NBC Philadelphia: AI-powered cameras on SEPTA buses have led to thousands of tickets – SEPTA buses have been capturing footage of drivers idling or parking in bus lanes throughout the city, and more than 112,000 citations have been issued in the past seven months as a result. Cameras are on more than 100 SEPTA buses with routes in Center City and University City. AI-powered cameras identify cars parked illegally in bus lanes or stops, and footage is sent to PPA officers for review. Bus routes with ticket enforcement have gotten 3-6% faster, with citywide bus route travel times having slowed during the same time period. The bill for the first seven months of this program is nearly $2.8 billion, with fees from drivers reaching $4.3 million. The agency says the focus of this program is to increase compliance, not increase revenue for the PPA.
PhillyVoice: Philly to put up ‘No Stopping’ signs along bike lanes citywide after receiving $1 million from PennDOT – Philadelphia is replacing signs across the city to better protect cyclists. Signs in bike lanes currently instruct drivers not to park, but as part of a $27 million funding package, they will be replaced with ones that also instruct drivers not to illegally stop in bike lanes. The funding package uses revenue from red light cameras to pay for traffic safety upgrades.
6ABC: Controller says speed cushions installed at Philadelphia schools not done to standards – In the summer and fall of 2025, 140 speed cushions were inspected at 44 schools by the Philadelphia City Controller. Only two had height and length measurements within the specified range. 95% of the inspected speed cushions were too steep, and homeowners had been reaching out to 311 to report noise, drivers swerving to avoid them, and vehicle damage. It’s unclear if the city will be forced to pay to repair the cushions or how much the total bill would be. A copy of the published report can be found here.
Other Stories
The Inquirer: $29M in federal and private funds to go toward Delaware River watershed projects
SEPTA: New Bus & Metro Schedules, Feb. 22 & 23 & New Regional Rail Schedules
6ABC: Portion of MLK Drive in Philadelphia closed until further notice due to emergency maintenance
WHYY: Judge orders Trump administration to restore funding for rail tunnel between New York and New Jersey
6ABC: Study finds parts of country have large gaps in charging infrastructure
