“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.
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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.
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.
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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
“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
“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.
Want to be more involved in the fight for public transit? Apply today for the Community Organizing Fellowship In Lancaster and the Lehigh Valley! Apply with TransitForAll PA here.
TransitForAll PA: Shapiro’s Budget Address Does Not meet the Moment for Transit Riders & Workers – Governor Shapiro’s budget address this week noted the lack of secure and recurring transit funding for the state, however his response did not properly address the transit needs of Pennsylvanians, especially those outside the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh region. Shapiro’s proposed solution moves sales tax money around, offering a band-aid to a system riddled with financial problems. This funding will not come into play until fiscal year 2027-2028, and in the meantime seven small, fixed-route transit systems across the state will hit their stated fiscal cliffs, meaning fair hikes and service cuts.
The Inquirer: Other Pa. transit systems are dealing with the fiscal crunch that hit SEPTA last year – Public transit systems across Pennsylvania are facing financial cliffs, resulting in fare hikes and service cuts. LANTA, the bus system in Lehigh and Northampton Counties, serves 11,000 daily riders and is the third-largest mass transit system in the state. Last week, service was cut 5%, with the number of trips reduced on 13 bus lines. Without dedicated funding coming, further cuts can be expected as well. The “flex-spending” solution offered by Governor Shapiro over the past two years mostly covers SEPTA in Philadelphia and PRT in Pittsburgh. The state’s other 33 smaller mass transit systems don’t typically see that assistance. Dollars promised to these systems by the governor also will not be seen until 2027, and not all systems have the time to wait. Without dedicated funding in the state budget from Harrisburg, these smaller systems are at the highest risk, and riders will have to be left behind.
NBC: SEPTA to cease using social media for trip cancellation alerts – Starting Monday, February 9th, SEPTA will no longer be sending out social media alerts to commuters about canceled trips. In the past, SEPTA has sent out tweets about specific route cancellations, and the reasons why, when available. The agency seeks to end alerts that are too general and might not reflect ongoing situations. An operator calling out no longer means delays on specific routes over the course of 8 hours. That was a result of COVID-era staffing shortages. There are better programs in place now to handle service disruptions, with better real-time updates available on the SEPTA app or website. Third-party apps, such as Google and Apple Maps, will still receive cancellation data as well.
Other Stories
SEPTA: Transit Equity Day 2026
NBC: SEPTA rolls out leased rail cars to ease Regional Rail overcrowding
CBS Philadelphia: Philadelphia Parking Authority resumed enforcing meters, towing cars Tuesday
“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.
Action Alert: All eyes on Governor Shapiro to propose a budget that moves ALL of Pennsylvania in his 2025-2026 Budget Address. Join Transit For All PA to call on Governor Shapiro to dedicate investments in public transportation and more! Register here.
The Inquirer: N.J., Pa. to see more than $200M restored for EV chargers in legal win over Trump administration – Pennsylvania and New Jersey are estimated to gain around $244 million in federal funding for electric vehicle charging stations after a legal ruling decides that obligated funds cannot be interrupted. A U.S. District Court Judge ruled that 20 states are owed the funding that was already allocated through the restoration of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program. The Federal Highway Administration overstepped its authority, according to the Judge, as funding was already approved by Congress.
University City District: UCD Transportation Workshop Report 2025 – Philadelphia’s Office of Transportation and Infrastructure (OTIS) has partnered with University City District (UCD) to author a report highlighting the best strategies for making University City a safer, more accessible, stronger community and neighborhood. Two workshops hosted by UCD and OTIS in 2025 brought together various partners such as PennDOT, SEPTA, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, Drexel University, CHOP, UPenn, and others. Organizations, government agencies, and private-sector partners identified short and long term priorities and goals for UCD, and paths forward. Read the full report and review the collected data here.
BillyPenn: ‘Nature at Noon’ and other activities to get you outside this winter – The Academy of Natural Sciences at Drexel University is running a program called Nature at Noon for Philadelphians this winter. The group visits the City’s park spaces, green spots, waterways, and other outdoor spaces across Philadelphia. Research has shown that being outdoors for at least 2 hours per week is beneficial for overall health, can help regulate moods, and reduce stress levels. Nature at Noon seeks to bring the health benefits to members, as well as create community. The group engages in various outdoor activities such as nature walks, birdwatching, and exploration of spaces such as Bartram’s Garden, Penn Treaty Park, and more.
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NBC: SEPTA steadily restoring services following major winter storm
95Revive: I-95 News & Construction Updates for 2026
The Inquirer: The street of the future isn’t just for cars — it’s designed for life
ABC: New York City’s congestion pricing one year later: Has the toll been a success?
Bicycle Coalition: Vision Zero Philadelphia Conference 2026
The Inquirer: Temple has released its plan for the next decade. See what the North Philadelphia university has in mind.
“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.
Action Alert: On January 26, LANTA will cut 5% of its service. This will cancel some trips on 13 bus lines. Send a letter to the Governor before his budget address and remind him about the transit crisis.
Philadelphia Tribune: SEPTA crimes at lowest levels in decade, with drop in cellphone thefts, pickpocketing – Recent quarterly data released from SEPTA shows that serious crimes are at the lowest levels since 2015. Notable decreases include a reduction in cellphone thefts, and pickpocketing is down as well. Post-pandemic crime numbers dramatically increased, and it seems these numbers are coming back down. SEPTA’s intricate camera system is making its clearance rates for crimes high as well. SEPTA notes that despite its funding struggles this year, riders should feel safer on transportation across the system.
WHYY: Philly bus terminal moving forward on Filbert Street – Plans to refurbish and reopen a Center City bus station are underway, with the official opening planned for May of this year. The former Greyhound bus terminal on Filbert Street will be reimagined by the Philadelphia Parking Authority, with internal demolition already completed, according to the agency. The terminal will impact traffic patterns along Spring Garden Street and hopefully create a safer traffic corridor for the Market East neighborhood. This is a 10-year deal, with plans to find a permanent solution eventually.
6ABC: Philadelphia urges residents to prepare for bitter temperatures – Philadelphia is preparing for the large winter storm coming this way this weekend, and SEPTA expects to feel the impacts. The city has warming centers open, and the water department is encouraging residents to prepare. SEPTA riders can expect some delays due to the storm, and possible watermain and pipe breaks. Further updates on the storm and weather coming this weekend can be found here.
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WHYY: How Philly’s Avenue of the Arts will be transformed into a green space
The Inquirer: How N.J. ended up having some of the most restrictive e-bike regulations in the country
Fox29: New public park in the works in Old City near Elfreth’s Alley
PhillyVoice: Five-year, $338 million project begins to widen four-mile stretch of Pa. Turnpike in Chester County
Business Insider: TransCore and South Jersey Transportation Authority Complete All-Electronic Tolling Conversion on the Atlantic City Expressway
“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.
Are you interested in traffic safety issues, pedestrian advocacy, and want to do more for your community? Vision Zero Philadelphia is hiring 2026 Ambassadors. Learn more and apply for the role here!
6ABC: SEPTA resumes Regional Rail morning express service; Center City T-trolley tunnel reopens – Regional Rail and Trolley riders began their week with increased service, from the suburbs to Center City. The T-trolley tunnel reopened Monday morning, once again connecting Center City to neighborhoods and communities throughout West Philadelphia . The tunnel has been closed since Mid-November for emergency repairs, and will have overnight closures for further repairs in February. Regional Rail riders also felt improvements this week, with express service resuming from the suburbs to Center city. Service has been gradually returning after Silverliner railcars were pulled from service, inspected, and repaired.
The Inquirer: Keeping seniors fit in Philly takes a citywide effort | Expert Opinion – 20% of Philadelphia are age 60 or older, and the senior population in the city has been growing for the past decade. Drexel Professor and physical therapist notes the importance of movement for longevity and health. It’s beneficial for mental and physical health, but 30% of seniors in Philadelphia report difficulty with mobile activities, such as walking or climbing stairs. Philadelphia’s walkability and access to green spaces are positives for seniors, with 95% of all Philadelphia residents living within a 10 minute walk of a public park. However, parks tend to be smaller and lower-quality for low-income neighborhood residents. Access and funding for green spaces, public transportation, senior community centers, and other lifelines, are critical for the health of seniors across Philadelphia.
Fox Philadelphia: Girard Point Bridge overhaul begins: 5-year traffic impact in Philly – Construction has begun on the Girard Point Bridge. The renovation will take five years to complete, and drivers need to know PennDot’s plans. Three lanes of traffic can be expected, but lane restrictions will occur as well. These restrictions will be focused on nights and weekends, but riders can find alternative commuting options here. Phase 1 of construction begins in February, and long-term traffic patterns will be installed in July of this year.
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WHYY: ‘Going to make my life much better’: SEPTA trolley riders react to tunnel reopening
CBS Philadelphia: Person with measles traveled through Philadelphia airport, 30th Street Station, health officials say
The Philadelphia Tribune: Visit Philly expecting 500,000 visitors for World Cup
Philadelphia.Today: New $11.5M Project Aims to Beautify Philadelphia in Preparation for 250th Birthday Celebrations
The Inquirer: We debated the best ways to snuff out bad SEPTA etiquette. The best advice came from you
The Travel: One Of America’s Most Beautiful Amtrak Stations Is Getting A Makeover
“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 2026! Kick off the new year by following the Clean Air Council on Instagram, and check out our website.
BillyPenn: SEPTA expects Regional Rail crowding and delays to subside this month – After months of delays, crowded trains, and cancelled service, Regional Rail riders can expect relief, according to SEPTA. Inspections and repairs have been completed, and railcars are being put back into service. The current rate is about 8 repaired cars back into service every day. The increase in cars will cut down on the crowded conditions that commuters have been experiencing. SEPTA has also leased 10 coaches from Maryland’s transit system to fix the shortage during inspection and repairs. SEPTA is looking to purchase new railcars to upgrade and expand Regional Rail service, but the lack of funding in the State budget severely limits any improvements the agency can make.
WHYY: SEPTA says trolley wire replacements are done, estimates tunnel will reopen in ‘weeks’ – The trolley tunnel between Center City and West Philadelphia has been closed since November, and work is nearing completion, according to SEPTA last week. Wire replacements have been completed, but system testing is still ongoing, with estimates that the tunnel will reopen in mid-January. The longer repair times are due to the unique nature of the work. SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch noted that SEPTA is focused on returning service only when it’s tested and proven safe and reliable for public transit users.
NBC Philadelphia: SEPTA buses replace trains during construction along the Fox Chase Line – Starting Monday, January 5th, SEPTA riders on the Fox Chase Line will rely on bus service at the Fox Chase, Ryders, Cheltenham, Lawndale, and Olney stations. SEPTA crews will be installing new tracks on weekdays, from 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Regional Rail service is expected to operate between Wayne Junction and Center City. Construction and bus service will be expected to continue through early April.
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The Inquirer: SEPTA’s terrible, horrible, no good, very bad year
6ABC: Community-led Peace Patrol aims to boost safety on SEPTA
Fox Philadelphia: Philly’s red light cameras: $100 fines to start at Eakins Oval
Bicycle Coalition: 2025 Bike Count Summary Shows an Increase in Bicycle Trips
CBS Philadelphia: Atlantic City Expressway goes cashless as tolls rise for all drivers
“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 the Transit For All PA! campaign for sustainable transit funding to keep our state moving forward.
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
