“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.
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Metro Philadelphia: New SEPTA Regional Rail schedules start Sunday – Current SEPTA Student – Sunday, October 18 will see the start of new Regional Rail schedules for SEPTA. Daily parking rates will also be reduced at all SEPTA parking garages, from $4 to $2 per day, through December 31, 2026. The new schedules can be viewed here.
Transit Forward Philadelphia: Week Without Driving 2026 – This year’s annual Week Without Driving challenged Pennsylvanians that normally drive to go car-free as much as possible from September 30 through October 6. More than one-third of people living in the United States are nondrivers. Advocacy groups with Transit Forward Philadelphia challenged Philly to go beyond one week. They advocated for affordable and reliable transit, expanded student fare cards, accessible transit stops, and building out the Transit Access Fund to expand SEPTA for all Philadelphians.
Philly Voice: City Council makes bike lane around City Hall permanent a year after it was installed by PennDOT – The existing bike lane surrounding City Hall was codified into a bill by City Council approval this week. The bike lane was installed by Pennsylvania Department of Transportation last year but was considered a pilot program. The bill, introduced by Councilmember Jeffrey Young Jr., keeps the lane in place. Cycling advocates submitted a 1,200-signature petition and sent over 400 emails in favor of the lane. The bill awaits the mayor’s signature, but was passed unanimously by City Council, meaning it can become law with or without the signature.
Other Stories
BillyPenn: Less honk, more handlebar: Philly Bike Ride rolls back into town
Philadelphia Today: Why Philadelphia Ranked as America’s Worst City to Drive in 2026
PennDOT: Seven Day, 24-Hour Work Begins October 19 on the Dolby Street Safety Improvement Project
CBS Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh Regional Transit announces plans to permanently close the Wabash Tunnel
6ABC: AC Expressway widening project aims to improve safety and reduce congestion
“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.
WHYY: Philadelphia transit advocates want you to spend your week without driving – Monday saw the start of the national Week Without Driving, and the kick-off event was hosted by Transit Forward Philly, a coalition of Philadelphia advocacy groups, discussing how to improve public transit options in the city. Week Without Driving exists to highlight how our urban infrastructure excludes the one-third of Americans that don’t rely on driving as their main form of transportation. Transit advocates across Philadelphia ask drivers to try to limit their car use this week to see what it’s like and consider how infrastructure can be improved for all.
BillyPenn: Councilmember holds City Hall bike lane bill, alarming cycling advocates – A new bike lane that was slated to be installed for free by PennDOT could be in limbo for a little bit longer. A City Council Committee held off on voting for the approval bill, meaning when PennDOT installs it later this month, it will be considered a pilot program, and could be in danger of being shut down at a later date. More than 20 people testified in favor of the bill at the committee session this week, but the bill’s sponsor Councilman Jeffery Young announced the bill would be put on hold. This bike lane can still be brought up in future City Council Committee meetings.
The Inquirer: Philly Rail Park could expand as new federal ruling clears the way – A federal ruling this week expands plans for the elevated Rail Park in the Callowhill neighborhood. Until the ruling, the old Reading Railroad Viaduct was classified as a railroad, and railroads are exempt from condemnation or taxation. The viaduct was ruled abandoned this week, removing the rail operation designation. The land, now under state and local jurisdiction, can now be condemned if the city can’t reach an agreement with Reading International. Overall goals for the area include a three-mile greenway across historic rail lines, connecting 10 neighborhoods, and filled with paths and greenery.
Other Stories
Chestnut Hill Local: Feet First Philly grants make city more walkable
NBC Philly: NTSB recommends SEPTA suspend more than half of its trains after 5 fires
BillyPenn: The Philly Bike Ride returns for a fourth year of leisurely cruising along Philly’s streets
Chestnut Hill Local: Capital Funds and the Risk for SEPTA
WHYY: NJ Transit is spending billions of dollars on a new fleet of buses. Here’s what to know
NBC Philly: Enjoy a 20-mile car-free experience with Philly Bike Ride this October
National #WeekWithoutDriving is happening from September 29th until October 5th, and you’re invited to join the Clean Air Council!
We’re asking elected officials, community leaders, and anyone else to step into the shoes of the almost one-third of Americans who don’t drive. So many groups don’t drive – youths, people with disabilities, senior citizens, and those who can’t afford cars or gas, or just don’t want to – relying on public transportation, cycling, or walking to get around every day.
Week Without Driving highlights how car-centered public spaces ignore the needs and safety of pedestrians with infrastructure. We invite you to join us in this experience, whether you try not to drive for the entire week or embrace transit, walking, rolling, and biking for a few trips! Every effort counts towards creating a more connected and equitable world. If you’re already a non-driver, please encourage your friends, family, and your elected officials to go a Week Without Driving!
Transit Forward Philly is hosting a Week Without Driving Kick-Off event on Monday, September 29th, at 5:30 PM at their office on Walnut to learn more about the event, and meet mobility advocates from all over the city. Learn more about the event and RSVP here.
