“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! Check out Transit Forward Philadelphia’s Week of Action to join the fight for this program.
The Inquirer: Chinatown Stitch, which would cap the Vine Street Expressway, is in limbo after Trump yanked funds. Can it be saved? – $159 million in federal grant money has been rescinded in an unprecedented situation. Federal legislation has taken back $3.2 billion that had been awarded but not yet fully spent, leaving 55 projects across the nation confused about how to proceed. In Philadelphia, Chinatown Stitch would reconnect the north and south sides of the neighborhood by physically capping Vine Street Expressway belowground. Now, despite the public popularity of the project, efforts have paused due to concerns about spending money from other revenue sources, without a guarantee of repayment for these community funds.
6ABC: Public weighs in on future location of Philadelphia bus terminal – The Philadelphia City Planning Commission held an open house for public discussion this week, to hear feedback on where the new Greyhound bus terminal should be located. Three options were presented: 29th and Arch Streets near 30th Street Station, the 1500 block of Vine Street, and the 700 block of Arch Street. The Greyhound station on Filbert Street is scheduled to temporarily reopen in May. This would be for a permanent installation. The public can give further feedback in a survey found here.
Fox29: Route 202 detour started Thursday, Feb. 26 in King of Prussia for sinkhole repairs – Route 202 southbound traffic was diverted, starting Thursday of this week. PennDOT addressed sinkholes and to prevent future road problems for the highway in King of Prussia. The section of southbound Route 202 being worked on is also known as Dekalb Pike, between Prince Frederick Boulevard and Henderson Road. PennDOT hasn’t provided a specific end date for the detour, but expects the repairs to fully resolve sinkhole issues in the area.
Other Stories
PhillyVoice: Philly still needs to clear many roads of snow, but SEPTA and NJ Transit have restored most service
State Smart Transportation Initiative: States DOTs can lead in cutting emissions
WHYY: Work resumes on the Hudson River rail tunnel project, but NJ Transit delays continue
MassLive: Boston extends fare-free bus program after ridership jumps on key routes
SafeStreets: 2026 Safe Streets and Roads for All: Project Brainstorming Workshop
The Inquirer: Philly has lots of trails. For the first time, it is hiring a full-time crew to maintain them.
SEPTA: Additional Regional Rail Service for the 2026 Philadelphia Flower Show
“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 Clean Air Council and Transit Forward Philadelphia to celebrate Transit Equity Day on 2/21 with food, speakers, and community activities. Register and learn more here!
Help choose a home for the city’s bus station of the future! The Philadelphia City Planning Commission needs input to plan the intercity bus station to keep riders safe and comfortable. Take the survey here.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: Shapiro Administration Invests over $27 Million to Improve Traffic Safety Across Pennsylvania – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced an over $27 million investment through the Automated Red-Light Enforcement (ARLE) program to support 51 safety projects in 44 municipalities across the state. The program provides automated enforcement to improve safety at intersections where red-light running is an issue. Funding is supplied from red-light violation fines in Philadelphia. Philadelphia County had 6 projects awarded with a combined total of $13 million in funding.
Fox29: SEPTA to end sale of Key Tix in March – The Key Tix program will be ending this March, after first launching in December of 2022. SEPTA has cited a significant decrease in demand for the mobile ticket platform. Key Tix allows riders to download a QR code as their ticket to be used at turnstiles on bus and metro service. Since allowing contactless payment on all modes since April 2025, Key Tix is no longer a needed alternative for riders, according to SEPTA. March 2nd is the planned last day of the program. Purchased Key Tix will remain valid for 180 days after purchase.
The Inquirer: NJ Transit riders from Philadelphia should expect service disruptions for the next four weeks – Modified schedules and fewer trains will be running on NJ Transit until March 15th. All lines, except the Atlantic City rail line, will be affected to upgrade the 116-year-old Portal Bridge. Commuters are advised to check weekday and weekend schedules here. The Portal Bridge is also used by Amtrak, so riders should be aware of possible delays to their routes, and the entire Northeast Corridor.
Other Stories
The Inquirer: Some Delco SEPTA riders will have 15 minutes added to their commutes, beginning Monday
BillyPenn: Options for Philly intercity bus terminal narrowed to three sites
The Inquirer: Lincoln Drive and dozens of other Philly roads get $13 million from PennDot
PhillyBurbs: Langhorne train station set for an overhaul. SEPTA wants input
The Inquirer: Cameras will soon enforce speed limits in five Philly school zones
6ABC: Philly’s Valentine’s Day trolley driver to retire after 40-year career
BillyPenn: SEPTA honors Caroline Rebecca LeCount, a civil rights icon who helped desegregate Philly’s transit system in the 1860s
