“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.
The Inquirer: Broad Street — not Roosevelt Boulevard — is Philly’s most dangerous roadway, says new report – According to Philadelphia’s most recent Vision Zero report, traffic fatalities among pedestrians, cyclists, and people who used mobility devices greatly increased. Broad Street is now considered the most dangerous street in the city. In 2024, Broad Street experienced more than one traffic death per month, more than Roosevelt Boulevard which was previously the most dangerous roadway in Philadelphia.
Streetsblog USA: Even at Slower Speeds, SUVs and Pickups are a ‘Big’ Problem for Pedestrians – According to research conducted by the Insurance Industry for Highway Safety, pedestrians hit by SUVs and Pickups have a greater chance of experiencing serious injuries even if the vehicle is traveling at a slower speed. The greater the speed, the higher the risk, but this risk is even greater with these vehicles.
PhillyVoice: Speed cameras may be added along Route 13 in Philadelphia – Next year, speed cameras will be added to Broad Street, and then most likely Route 13 will get some. City Council recently voted 17-0 to approve legislation to add speed cameras along Route 13. For the cameras to be installed, Mayor Parker must sign the legislation into law.
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The Inquirer: Transport Workers Union ratified a new one-year contract with SEPTA
BillyPenn: At long last, a new pedestrian bridge for Wissahickon Valley Park
PhillyVoice: East Wyoming Avenue Bridge in North Philly closed indefinitely due to structural deficiencies
PhillyVoice: PennDOT seeks public feedback on long-term transit plans to redesign Roosevelt Boulevard
The Trace: Philadelphia Will Install Bulletproof Glass to Protect Bus Drivers
The Inquirer: SEPTA is nearly done with a $20 million puddle-killing makeover at Eighth and Market
“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.
BillyPenn: Cars prohibited from stopping in bike lanes in Philly – On Wednesday, Mayor Parker signed the “Get Out the Bike Lane” bill into law, making it illegal for motor vehicles to stop in bike lanes at any time. A $125 fine will be given to violators in Center City and University City, and a $75 fine in other parts of the city. This aims to keep bike lanes clear and protect bicyclists.
The Inquirer: How much did SEPTA fares increase? A helpful breakdown of each service – SEPTA’s 7.5% fare increase went into effect on Dec. 1st. Riders using SEPTA Key, PATCO, or contactless payment methods will now pay $2.50 on subways, buses, and trolleys. This is now similar to cash and quick trip riders. Regional Rail fares also increased and depending on the payment method and the station location riders will now pay 25 cents to $2 more.
The Inquirer: Pa. legislators should treat SEPTA funding like an emergency – Gov. Josh Shapiro flexed $153 million of highway dollars to fund SEPTA and prevent the massive 21.5% fare increase and possible service cuts that the agency was facing. This funding is only enough for the transit agency to maintain operation through June 2025, and is therefore a temporary bandaid. PA legislators need to invest in public transportation.
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The Inquirer: What Amtrak prices are looking like this December — and how to save
WHYY: This iconic trolley bridge in Fairmount Park is getting restored
The Inquirer: It’s time to break the gridlock on ‘Roosevelt Boulevard Reimagined’
Smart Cities Dive: Streetcar and other rail transit vehicle fatalities the focus of FTA safety advisory
Pittsburgh Union Progress: Pittsburgh Regional Transit will begin selling bulk passes to employers, landlords and schools in January
“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
Have a Happy Thanksgiving. The Hub will return on December 6th!
The Inquirer: Gov. Shapiro secures $153 million for SEPTA, averting fare hike planned for 2025 – Gov. Josh Shapiro announced that PennDOT will immediately redirect $153 million in Federal Highway funds to support SEPTA. This stopgap funding will prevent the 21.5% fare increase expected for Jan 1. and service cuts. A permanent funding solution is still needed.
The Inquirer: A guide to public transit and car-free transportation to Philly sports games – On game days, sports fans should skip the gridlock and avoid traffic by taking public transportation. SEPTA has several routes that will get you to the Sports Complex, including the Broad Street subway. Using transit saves you money for parking and gives you more time to enjoy the game.
The Inquirer: SEPTA strike averted in last-minute deal with transit workers union – SEPTA and Transport Workers Local 234 union signed a one-year agreement and prevented a major strike. From this agreement, union members will get a 5% wage increase and a 5% monthly increase in pension benefits for those retiring next year. The transit agency also agreed to make safety improvements such as installing bulletproof enclosures in buses to protect operators and upgrades to radios to improve communication.
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Streetsblog NYC: Car-Free Streets Are Good For Business, Yet Another Report Shows
BaltimoreBrew: Baltimore pledges to spend $44 million on ADA-compliant ramps and sidewalks
Streetsblog USA: This Program Wants To Coach Cities Through Setting Safer Speed Limits
BillyPenn: Intercity bus riders at Spring Garden terminal will get a waiting room trailer
The Inquirer: A South Philly street was named for a beloved school crossing guard. Welcome to Gerri Graves Way.
The Inquirer: Families rally in Philly to honor victims of traffic deaths and demand legislative change
“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
TAKE ACTION: Tell Governor Shapiro to direct PennDOT to allocate highway funds to transit immediately. The governor must use an executive order to save public transit. Tell Governor Shapiro to ACT NOW!
The Inquirer: SEPTA rides may cost 21% more starting in January; severe service cuts could soon follow – SEPTA published a legal notice proposing a 21.5% increase to fares by January 1. Fare for riders in Philadelphia will increase to $2.90 through all payment methods. This increase is a result of the annual structural deficit of $240 million that the agency currently faces and the fact that the PA legislature and Governor Shapiro did not find a funding solution for public transportation. There is also a possible 20% service cut starting next fiscal year.
PlanPhilly: Car-free streets will return to Philly’s Rittenhouse Square this winter. Here’s what to know – On December 8 and 15 streets near Rittenhouse Square in Center City will be closed to all vehicular traffic and become a pedestrian-only space. For these two Sundays, families, shoppers, and pedestrians will be able to stroll the area car-free. A similar car-free street program occurred in September and retailers saw an increase in sales.
Next City: Blocking the Bus Lane? Cities Are Using AI To Find and Fine You – Many cities are installing cameras on buses to ticket drivers blocking bus-only lanes. This aims to reduce obstructions that slow bus speed and increase transit travel time. In 2023, SEPTA participated in a 70-day pilot by adding automated enforcement cameras on two bus lines. During this period the transit agency recorded 36,000 lane violations which significantly delayed transit riders. This tool can help cities to keep bus lanes clear and increase transit speed.
Other Stories
The Inquirer: SEPTA postpones long-planned bus route overhaul amid likely fare hikes and service cuts
The Inquirer: Off The Rails
The New York Times: As Trump’s New Term Looms, Hochul Considers Reviving Congestion Pricing
Streetsblog USA: How State DOTs Keep the Public In the Dark About How They Spend Our Transportation Dollars
Mass Transit: NJ Transit Board approves contract with ACI-Herzog JV to operate Hudson-Bergen Light Rail system
“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
PhillyVoice: SEPTA advances trolley modernization project with federal funding – SEPTA received $460,000 in Federal dollars to further its long-term trolley modernization project. This funding is from a Department of Transportation pilot program aimed at boosting public transit access. SEPTA will use this funding to study areas along the Route 10 trolley line and will focus on a four-mile stretch from 36th Street Station to the terminal at N 63rd Street and Malvern Avenue.
BillyPenn: In a first, SEPTA now notifies riders of all canceled bus trips – Finally, SEPTA riders will know if their bus is coming or not. The transit agency upgraded its system and will provide real-time data through its transit app, Google Maps, and other transit apps. This upgrade will eliminate the previous “ghost bus” issue that riders experienced. Bus cancellations may not be good news but at least riders will know the correct status of the bus.
PhillyVoice: It’s illegal to ride an e-scooter on the street in Pa., but that could change – E-scooters are currently illegal to ride on public streets in Pennsylvania, but this could change as the State House committee passed a bill to categorize these two-wheeled vehicles similar to bikes. People use e-scooters for daily tasks such as grocery runs and attending events; helping to reduce the number of single-occupancy vehicles on the road. This bill must pass the full House and Senate before becoming law.
Other Stories
The Inquirer: Philly has Spring, Summer, and Winter Streets. What happened to Fall or Autumn?
PhillyVoice: SEPTA’s website now shows bus detours on maps – and its app eventually will, too
The Inquirer: Everything you need to know about the 2024 Philadelphia Marathon
The Inquirer: No deal, no strike: SEPTA and transit union will continue talks despite contract expiring
The Minnesota Star Tribune: Do lower speed limits on city streets actually slow down 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
The Inquirer: Broad Street speed cameras are coming soon, new PPA ads warn – Data showed that Broad Street is the most dangerous high-speed city roadway in Philadelphia. Early next year speed cameras will be placed along the length of Broad Street to help reduce vehicle speed and protect road users. The Philadelphia Parking Authority is launching an advertising campaign to warn drivers to slow down. Once the cameras go live, there will be a 60-day warning period for drivers traveling 11 miles or more over the speed limit; then it will cost $100 per violation.
NBC Philadelphia: Philly’s ‘Get Out the Bike Lane Bill’ prohibiting stopping, increasing fines passes – Philadelphia’s City Council recently passed legislation to increase fines for drivers illegally parked in bike lanes. This legislation aims to keep bike lanes clear and protect bicyclists and even pedestrians. The bill immediately goes into effect with a signature from Mayor Parker.
WHYY: NJ Transit unveils new multi-level, high-tech rail cars – Recently, New Jersey Transit unveiled its “next generation of multi-level rail cars”, which aims to help the agency recover from massive train cancellations experienced during the summer. These new trains will increase seating capacity by 11%, and the majority of these rail cars will go into service in 2026.
Other Stories
The Inquirer: After legislative failure, Gov. Shapiro should ensure transit funding success
6abc Action News: New data shows drop in SEPTA crime for 2024
Streetsblog USA: Report: Confronting Car Dependence Won’t Just Help With Climate Change; It’s a $6.2 Trillion Opportunity
WHYY: SEPTA workers vote to authorize strike, union contract set to expire Nov. 7
PlanPhilly: Philly business leaders are now pushing harder to restore SEPTA funding as the CEO prepares to leave
“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
PhillyVoice: ‘Zero Fare’ program for SEPTA to expand as City touts success in first year – SEPTA yielded positive results in the first year of its “Zero Fare” pilot program with over 4.3 million trips taken by program participants. During the launch of the program 24,000 SEPTA Key Cards, with unlimited rides on buses, subways, trolleys, and Regional Rail, were provided to people living in poverty. This program was subsidized by the City of Philadelphia. In the next phase of the program, the City will provide an additional 20,000 Zero fare key cards to eligible participants.
The New York Times: Why Does This Building by the Subway Need 193 Parking Spots? (Yes, Exactly 193.) – Many cities are removing parking minimums from their building zoning codes and New York may join the list soon as they are proposing to remove parking minimums for new housing. Removing parking minimums can reduce construction costs and encourage sustainable commute options such as taking public transit.
PlanPhilly: Work to reopen PATCO’s Franklin Square Station is reaching the end of the line – The work to reopen PATCO’s Franklin Square Station is in the final stages as construction aims to be completed by early 2025. This station hasn’t served riders for more than 40 years and was considered a “ghost station” as trains would pass by but never stop.
Other Stories
BillyPenn: City’s proposed safety upgrades to Spruce-Pine corridors draws hundreds to review
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette : Editorial: Tying transit funding to skill games doesn’t make sense
Community Impact: Austin studying plan to add miles of dedicated bike, bus lanes on city’s busiest roads
Streetsblog USA: Why America Has So Much Road Safety Research, But So Little Actual Safety
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Lawmakers’ hoped-for deal to increase Pa. transit, road and bridge funding looks unlikely this 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.
The Inquirer: Car-free Sundays on Walnut Street boosted foot traffic, sales for restaurants and retailers, survey says – Every Sunday in September 2024, approximately seven blocks of 18th and West Walnut Street was closed to vehicular traffic creating a car-free space for everyone to enjoy. These car-free Sundays helped to boost business for many local stores and increased foot traffic. According to a survey, 90% of the surveyed retailers saw 86% more foot traffic to their businesses and a 79% increase in sales.
Metro Philadelphia: SEPTA, facing financial shortfall, holds hearings on proposed fare increase – SEPTA is facing a huge budget deficit, and the agency proposed a fare increase that will go into effect in December after the board’s approval next month. This will increase keycard holder payment from $2 to $2.50 same as cash fare along with the Regional rail fare increase. Without additional funding, SEPTA will experience significant service cuts and increased fares.
BillyPenn: Despite dire funding crisis, SEPTA’s working to attract more riders – SEPTA has big plans to attract more riders and to improve riders’ experience. But with the proposed fare increase and service cuts due to the agency’s $240 million annual deficit, these plans face financial threats. SEPTA’s plan includes expanding service to commuters who work beyond the traditional 9-5 hours, making bus routes more efficient – through the bus revolution plan, and installing new wayfinding signage.
Other Stories
Streetsblog USA: On a Roll: Feds Inch Closer to Finally Achieving Key Goal of Americans With Disabilities Act
NPR: As cars and trucks get bigger and taller, lawmakers look to protect pedestrians
BillyPenn: Philly magician brings illusions to walking tour of Philadelphia’s Old City
“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.
Feet First Philly’s Public Space Enhancement Mini-Grant Application is CLOSED.
The City Fix: Is Your Commute Harming Your Health? – Consistently commuting via car and experiencing traffic congestion can affect individuals physically, mentally, and socially. Commuters stuck in traffic experience increased stress and anxiety. Traffic congestion increases air pollution and commuters who are exposed to elevated levels of air pollution experience worsened respiratory conditions. On the other hand, sustainable commute options such as walking and biking provide great health benefits including enhanced mood and reduced stress.
CBS News: Philadelphia has a plan for concrete-protected bike lanes in Center City, officials tell residents – Concrete-protected bike lanes will prevent vehicles from blocking bike lanes. This will add more protection for cyclists. Philadelphia’s Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems (OTIS) is recommending additional protection to bike lanes on Pine and Spruce streets, such as concrete curbs and potentially planters. These recommendations are not final as the city is still soliciting feedback from residents.
CommonWealth Beacon: Bike lanes don’t just benefit cyclists – Bike lanes help to enhance safety, accessibility, and promote environmental sustainability. Studies have shown that bike lanes are a “vital component of a safer urban landscape”. Separated bike lanes also act as a traffic calming measure. Bike lanes, especially protected bike lanes, encourage more people to commute using alternative modes of transportation which helps to lower traffic congestion and reduce carbon emissions.
Other Stories
The Inquirer: PennDot has a $10M plan to improve Church Road intersections, but some Cheltenham residents say it will make life worse
PhillyVoice: Amtrak starts working on $462 million maintenance facility in Penn Coach Yard
BillyPenn: As legislators dither, SEPTA considers giant fare hike
Streetsblog USA: Six Reasons Why a Big Truck, SUV or Van is More Likely to Kill You in a Crash
Next City: The Truth About Whether Speed Cameras Make Us Safer
Streetsblog USA: Bike-Friendly Campuses Can Inspire the Rest of Car-Centric America
“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.
Feet First Philly launched the 5th round of its Public Space Enhancement Mini-Grant Program. Applications are due on October 10th at 11:59 PM. Grants range from $500 to $2000, with the opportunity to support at least one larger project of up to $5000. Learn more about this opportunity here. Apply TODAY and improve a public space in your neighborhood!
September 30 through October 6, 2024, is a Week Without Driving. We encourage everyone to commute without driving. Explore sustainable commute options such as biking, walking, and public transit. Join this nationwide challenge to understand the barriers nondrivers face while commuting through our communities. Sign up for Week Without Driving PA.
Metro Philadelphia: SEPTA to install 100 full-length gates to combat fare evasion – SEPTA’s pilot program at 69th Street Transportation Center to combat fare evasion was successful. The transit agency will expand this program by installing 100 full-length gates at Market-Frankford and Broad Street Line Stations. These full-length gates were designed and equipped with 3D imaging technology to detect fare evaders. These gates will be installed at Somerset, Huntingdon, Cecil B. Moore, Allegheny, 52nd Street, 11th Street, 13th Street, Frankford Transportation Center, and City Hall Stations. Installation is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
The Inquirer: Transportation funding is needed ASAP, transit agencies, unions, and business leaders tell Pa. legislators – Transit agencies across Pennsylvania need funding to keep public transit systems from cutting services and increasing fares. SEPTA, for example, started the year with a $240 million operating budget deficit. Different transit agencies, unions, and business leaders unite and call for PA legislators to take action and fund public transportation.
Streetsblog USA: Report Shows — Again — Why Cities Must Build Safe Bike Lanes – A recent study released by the League of American Bicyclists and Lime, found that cyclists will bike more if there is safer biking infrastructure. The study found that where there was new bike infrastructure there was an increase in ridership in comparison to where there was no bike infrastructure. There was also a greater increase in ridership where there were protected bike lanes. Our roads need more protected bike lanes to keep cyclists safe.
Other Stories
Bloomberg: A Map That Visualizes Walkable Neighborhoods Across the US
The Inquirer: PennDot could keep I-95 from bigfooting Philadelphia by supporting transit
BillyPenn: Philly invites private companies to install curbside EV chargers
The Inquirer: The Pa. Turnpike has helped keep public transit afloat for years. Now what?
Streets MN: Network Now Provides Post-Pandemic Vision for Twin Cities Transit
