The Hub 3/13/2026: Clean Air Council’s Weekly Round-up of Transportation News
“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.
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.
City of Philadelphia: City Announces Road Closures, Parking Restrictions and Other Details for the Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade – The 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.
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
