Clean Air Council

“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.

Image Source: The Inquirer

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.

Image Source: Center City District

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.

Image Source: BillyPenn

BillyPenn: Philly travelers cheer reopening of intercity bus station, mostlyPhiladelphia’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!

Image Source: Pittsburgh Post Gazette

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.

Image Source: WHYY

BillyPenn: Lawsuit stalls bike lane upgrade, but Philadelphia pushes ahead on loading zonesPhiladelphia 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.

Image Source: WHYY

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.

Celebrate Cobbs Creek Trails Day this Sunday, 4/26 from 10am to 2pm, at the park at Thomas Ave & Cobbs Creek Parkway north of Whitby Ave. More information and activities can be found 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!

Image Source: BillyPenn

BillyPenn: Advocates push for around-the-clock access to public transit for kids in Philadelphia Councilmember Rue Landau and Transit Forward Philly held a press conference for expanding the student fare program. The SEPTA card provided for students, the student fare program, is currently limited by distance, time of day, and days of the week. Limiting factors can include going to summer jobs, living too close to their school, and even involvement in sports. Advocates pointed out that universal access benefits kids, giving them opportunities in education, professional development, summer opportunities, and more.

Image Source: ABC21

PhillyVoice: PA Turnpike is testing a system that will warn drivers of slow trafficPennsylvania Turnpike drivers will be alerted of upcoming traffic jams, due to a pilot program that began this week. Drivers can expect two alerts, the first being an electronic sign about 2 miles away, and another screen alert placed about half a mile out from the slowdown. The pilot program is initially along the Northeast Extension of I-476, with review planned afterwards, to see if outward expansion would be beneficial.

Image Source: The Inquirer

The Inquirer (via MSN): Why city council is threatening to block Mayor Cherelle Parker’s ‘Uber tax’ if it doesn’t get its way on school closures Philadelphia’s Board of Education has pushed the vote to cancel schools to April 30th, instead of this week as it was originally scheduled. During the past week, Philadelphia City Council members have pushed to delay the vote, as the facilities plans as written contain some concerning flaws. Mayor Parker introduced legislation that would add a $1-per-ride tax on services like Uber and Lyft to try and patch the Philadelphia School District’s budget. This tax would generate an estimated $50 million per year, but that would not offset the closures of several schools. Uber has also begun a public campaign to make clear that it will be passing along this tax directly to the rider.

Other Stories

City & State Pennsylvania: Ask the Experts: Local transit leaders mind the gaps

Pittsburghers For Public Transit: Transit is the Ticket to a Winning NFL Draft

WHYY: Why are NJ Transit fares to New Jersey’s 8 FIFA World Cup matches so high? And what benefit will the state get?

The Inquirer: I-95 South exit ramp to Packer Avenue will be closed into May, disrupting traffic to sports complex

KYW News Radio: No tickets necessary: PATCO riders will soon be able to pay with credit cards or smart phones

Railway Age: Transit Briefs: San Diego MTS/NICTD, MDOT MTA, NJ Transit, Amtrak
WHYY: Reported crime on SEPTA continues to drop in 2026 after decade lows last year

“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!

Image Source: BillyPenn

BillyPenn: ‘Pop-up concrete’ event shows what bike lane protection on Spruce and Pine could be Philly Bike Action (PBA) members set up their ideal bike lane protections, eight-in tall concrete barriers. Models made of cardboard were placed out on Spruce and Pine on Saturday, along with four pop-up stands, handing out coffee and pretzels for free, as well as information about safety improvements. The event’s goal was to highlight what proposed safety measures would look like and dispel common misunderstandings of cyclist and pedestrian safety initiatives.

Image Source: The Inquirer

The Inquirer: SEPTA will keep $2.90 fare for World Cup transit rides. Boston is charging $80There is no plan to increase the base fare of $2.90 for SEPTA riders on the Broad Street Line to Lincoln Financial Field for World Cup matches. This is different from other World Cup host cities in the United States. NJ Transit will be charging over $100 for the 18-mile train ride from NY Penn Station to NJ Meadowlands. Boston transit will be increasing its prices from $20 to $80. SEPTA will be handling demand by operating extra trains to support sports complex lines, but regular service hours and open stations can be expected. Additional buses are also being dispatched to serve the FIFA Fan Festival in East Fairmount Park from mid-June through mid-July.

Image Source: The Philadelphia Tribune

The Philadelphia Tribune: SEPTA reports progress on crime, need for capital funding SEPTA reported on Wednesday that the system has seen 51 consecutive months of rider growth. They also reported crime is down 30% for the first quarter of 2026, and fare evasion dropped 37%. Over the next decade, billions in improvements are planned, including new fleets for the Market-Frankford Line, trolleys, and regional rail lines. The New Bus Network will streamline bus service across the city, and these changes will result in 660 service hours to the system.

Other Stories

NBC: PennDOT crews to repair potholes on more than 35 highways in Philly region

PhillyVoice: NJ Transit unveils first of 40 new train cars expected to enter service this year

The Inquirer via MSN: Waymo robotaxis are helping cities map potholes. Could Philly be next?

PhillyVoice: Speed cameras activated on stretch of Route 13 in Northeast Philly

The Inquirer: Comcast Spectacor reveals new location for Sixers and Flyers arena

Amtrak Media: Amtrak Joins SEPTA to Celebrate Completion of Ardmore Station Improvements

NBC Philadelphia: SEPTA Transit Police welcoming four new K-9 recruits this spring

“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!

Image Source: The Inquirer

The Inquirer: SEPTA wants to buy 247 new buses and install more fare evasion gates as part of proposed budget SEPTA’s $1.84 billion operating budget for fiscal 2027 will be released next week. The budget represents only a 1.9% increase, despite rising inflation and labor costs. Compared to last fiscal year, riders will be pleased to see no service cuts and no fare increases. This is because of the state executive branch shifting funds around, after SEPTA was ignored in the state budget set by the legislative branch last season. Plans include a robust station cleaning program, new Transit Police officers, 247 new buses, and more evasion-resistant gates. Public hearings on the SEPTA budget will be held both at SEPTA headquarters and on Zoom, on 5/11, 5/12, and 5/13.

Image Source: BillyPenn

BillyPenn: ‘Just too onerous’: Getting bicycle racks in Philly should be simpler, advocates sayThe current process of permitting and installing bike racks throughout Philadelphia is complicated, with too many requirements, according to members of the Philly Bike Action (PBA) group. About one-third of submitted bike rack applications were actually built from 2014 to 2024. Applications for bike racks have rigorous requirements, mostly due to right-of-way spacing rules, along with a $125 fee to apply. Right-of-way rules ensure sidewalks have an appropriate amount of space for pedestrians to move freely and for emergency responders to access spaces. The application also requires a site plan, which needs approval or to be provided by a state-licensed design professional. Philly could learn from other cities to streamline this process and encourage cycling throughout the city.

Image Source: Shui Miles

The Philadelphia Citizen: The Other Way Mayor Parker is Stepping Up for Transit The H.O.M.E. bills introduced by the Mayor try to address a key factor in supporting public transit, land use rules surrounding stations. The bill aims to allow more multifamily buildings to be constructed near transit. Zoning changes include increasing unit density by 50%, adding one story of height, and cutting parking requirements by half. The current bill would also expand the law to increase from 500 feet to a quarter-mile radius from selected SEPTA stops. These changes emulate similar bills in comparable cities, Seattle, Chicago, and Austin, but are still a much smaller change in allowances.

Other Stories

Philadelphia City Council: City Council wants to hear from you! – Survey

6ABC: All security checkpoints reopened at Philadelphia International Airport

6ABC: ICE agents leaving Philadelphia International Airport

WTAE: Pittsburgh Regional Transit holding public meeting this week on Bus Line Refresh

SEPTA: Bus Service to Replace Trains Between Wilmington Station and Claymont Transit Center, Apr. 11-12
Bicycle Coalition: Remembering Teddy Einstein: A United Community Calls for Safer State Roads in the Region

“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!

Image Source: 6ABC

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.

Image Source: BillyPenn

BillyPenn: SEPTA aims to increase reliability with 24 new Canadian coach carsSEPTA 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.

Image Source: SEPTA

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.

Follow Transit Forward Philadelphia for events and actions to fight for transit funding.

Image Source: Metro Magazine

Transit Forward Philadelphia: SEPTA Has Released the New Bus Network Plan – Here’s What You Need to KnowSEPTA announced this month that a total bus system redesign will begin, with changes starting in August 2026. The redesign will include adjustments to routes and schedules, with changes needing to be communicated via social media and physical announcements at transit stops, on buses, etc. Service improvements will be funded with efficiencies created by the system itself. Setting up a source of sustainable funding will also avoid future fiscal cliffs or uncertainty. Some changes are being celebrated by transit advocates, while some adjustments are leaving riders with longer travel times and more transfers needed for routes. Public feedback and communication from SEPTA are both critical for the New Bus Network Plan’s success, and there will be a public open house on April 15th.

Image Source: SEPTA

BillyPenn: New digital SEPTA displays will bring real-time information to riders This spring should see live updates for riders on some bus and trolley lines, according to SEPTA. SEPTA’s new pilot program puts 10 “e-paper” displays live on bus or trolley stop poles. The devices will be small enough to be mounted on bus or trolley stop poles, and will use solar power. These are part of a larger initiative to modernize and simplify SEPTA service. Riders can expect to see them at sunny bus and trolley stops in May.

Image Source: Marc Pelerin

NBC Philadelphia: Philly Love Run Half Marathon and 7k: Closures, parking and SEPTA changes This Sunday, the Saucony Philly Love Run Half Marathon and 7k will attract more than 15,000 runners to Center City. Street closures at and around the Museum of Art will be in place from 3:00 am until around 1:00 pm on Sunday, 3/29. Parking restrictions will also be in place. Several bus routes will also be detoured on Saturday and Sunday of this weekend, in the Center City and Old City areas. Live detour and route updates will be posted on SEPTA’s website.

Other Stories

WHYY: Philadelphia No Kings protest 2026: what to know

City & State Pennsylvania: As TSA staffing crisis deepens, Philadelphia International Airport lines get worse

6ABC: Uber Eats debuts autonomous sidewalk delivery robots in Philadelphia

WBNG (Harrisburg, PA): PennDOT seeks feedback related to winter services

Metro Magazine: Amtrak Sets New Course for Long-Distance Fleet Renewal

Bicycle Coalition: Learnings from the 2026 Vision Zero PHL Conference

SEPTA: Bus Service to Replace Trains Bridgeport Station to Norristown Transit Center, Mar. 29 – May 9


“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.

Follow Transit Forward Philadelphia for events and actions to fight for transit funding.

Image Source: Center City District

City & State Pennsylvania: Philadelphia’s Open Streets report reveals massive benefits carless events have for Center City businessesCenter City District closed streets to vehicular traffic, in favor of family-friendly foot traffic, and saw wild success last year. An overview of the Open Streets program was published last week by Center City District. Affected streets had a 27% increase in pedestrian activity, and participating businesses had a 38% increase in sales. The success of the 2024-2025 season has shifted the discussion from introducing the program to expanding it, and possibly making it a permanent fixture of Philadelphia.

Image Source: The Inquirer via MSN

The Inquirer via MSN: Uber says rides in Philly would cost you more under Mayor Parker’s budget plan Philadelphia’s $7 billion city budget plan was released last week, and a 20-cent fee per ride was introduced for services such as Uber and Lyft. Another fee was proposed for online retailers. Both proposed fees need approval from the city council before implementation. The fees would bring in an estimated $9 million a year, which would be designated for school districts. Uber has stated that this fee will be passed directly to riders. Other fees proposed in the budget include another 2% in sales tax for online purchases, and all must be approved by either City Council or state lawmakers. The budget will have several public hearings with negotiations, and a final version is expected to be approved in June.

Image Source: PennDOT

NBC Philadelphia: Frankford Avenue Bridge to shutter until 2027 for a $10M rehab project The Frankford Avenue Bridge is now closed, and PennDOT will begin construction through next year. The $10 million rehab project will repair the 123-year-old bridge over the Frankford Creek. Frankford Avenue will be closed and detoured between Torresdale Avenue and Hunting Park Avenue at all times until Monday, March 22nd, 2027. PennDOT told drivers to expect extra time for their drive as traffic would occur. The bridge was found in poor condition, and over 12,000 vehicles pass over the creek daily, making repairs a priority. The inactive trolley lines currently on the structure are not planned to be brought back.

Other Stories

Transit Forward Philadelphia: 500 Days to Save SEPTA – Here’s How We Start

WHYY: 2 more security checkpoints to be temporarily closed at Philadelphia International Airport

Pittsburgh Patch: New Pittsburgh Airport Transportation System Proposed

Philadelphia Today: Northeast Philadelphia Airport Set for Upgrades After Receiving $1.4M in Federal Funding

6ABC: Market Street ramp to I-95 South reopens after yearlong closure

PhillyVoice: As Americans pay more at the pump, how do gas prices in Pa. and N.J. compare with the rest of the U.S.?

BillyPenn: Women in cycling: How one Philadelphia woman paved the way

SEPTA: Transit Employee Appreciation Day


“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.

Follow Transit Forward Philadelphia for events and actions to fight for transit funding.

Image source: The Inquirer

The Inquirer: Remember SEPTA’s plan to redo bus routes? It’s back and it’s happening (for real this time) Over the next 18 months, SEPTA will implement the redesigned bus network that was shelved last year. The route revisions are mostly the same as what the SEPTA board approved in May 2024, with the full list found here. Changes will be implemented in phases, after the board votes on the plan in May. Over the 18 months, 18 bus routes will be cut, some routes will have increased frequency, and no bus stops will be moved.

Image Source: City of Philadelphia

City of Philadelphia: City Announces Road Closures, Parking Restrictions and Other Details for the Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day ParadeThe city has announced road closures following the parade route. The parade begins at 11:15 AM on March 17th, starting at 16th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard. The following SEPTA bus lines will be detoured: 17, 27, 31, 32, 33, 38, 44, 47, 48, 61, 124 and 125. Parking restrictions will also be in effect. Attendees of the parade are strongly encouraged to take public transportation to and from the event.

Image Source: WHYY

WHYY: SEPTA riders rally at City Hall to preserve free-ride programs in new budget Groups and representatives from across Philadelphia gathered at City Hall last week, to advocate for two programs funded by the City. The Zero Fare program funds SEPTA cards for almost 70,000 Philadelphians, and the Municipal Key Advantage Program also provides transit for around 13,000 city workers. Speakers included transit advocates, union leaders, council representatives, and zero fare recipients. Transit access is critical for access to healthcare, education, jobs, and community, especially for the recipients of zero fare, who are the most vulnerable. The city spends about $9 million on the Key Advantage Program and Zero Fare adds another $20 million, and Philadelphia’s operating budget for fiscal year 2026 is around $6.84 billion. The programs were included in the budget as announced by the mayor on March 12th.

Other Stories

City & State Pennsylvania: Philly Mayor Parker’s $7B budget – by the numbers

PhillyVoice: Security checkpoint at Philly airport closed due to TSA staffing shortages

Philadelphia Today: A Decade In, How Far is Philadelphia From Its Vision Zero Goal of Eliminating Traffic Deaths By 2030?

PhillyVoice: Center City expands Open Streets program to 20 car-free days this year

SEPTA: St. Patrick’s Day Parade Bus Detours, March 15

BillyPenn: Philly’s bus station needs a permanent home; questions loom about Filbert Street, ICE office, Amtrak


“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.

Image source: The Inquirer

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.

Image Source: BillyPenn

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.

Image Source: PhillyVoice

PhillyVoice: SEPTA gets $5.5 million in federal funding to enhance World Cup serviceThe 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


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