The Hub 6/21/2024: 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.
The Inquirer: SEPTA is upping penalties for smoking, urinating, drunkenness and other bad behavior on transit – Smoking, littering, and public urination on SEPTA’s platforms and vehicles make taking public transit an unpleasant experience for many as residents constantly complain about SEPTA being dirty. To combat these behaviors and keep SEPTA clean, transit police are starting to issue fines of up to $100 for violations of the Philadelphia city code on SEPTA property. This is an increase to the previous fines and the agency hopes it will deter such behavior.
PhillyVoice: SEPTA schedules trolley maintenance blitz next month, with a push toward modernization – SEPTA’s annual trolley blitz is scheduled for Friday, July 12th at 10 pm to Monday, July 29th at 6 am. During the blitz, all trolley underground services will be suspended as they replace worn-out tracks, fix overhead wires, and work on other upgrades and cleaning. This will affect Routes 10, 11, 13, 34, and 36. SEPTA will use this blitz to prepare for its Trolley Modernization project.
The Inquirer: Vision Zero spending was cut in the city budget. But officials point to related traffic-safety spending elsewhere. – The Mayor’s Budget passed on Thursday with plans to spend $1 million on Vision Zero projects, which is $1.5 million less than last year. However, city officials point out that other budget line items are considered part of Vision Zero efforts. For example, there is a line item in the Streets Department’s traffic control section of the budget that allocates a $1.25 million expenditure for unspecified speed cushion and traffic calming measures.
Other Stories
PhillyVoice: Newly appointed special prosecutor will handle crimes on SEPTA
Reuters: US railroad Amtrak on track to break passenger records in 2024
The Inquirer: Opinion- I gave up my car last year, and am seeing Philly — and its people — in a whole new light
Post-Gazette: Simply getting around can be dangerous in some Allegheny County towns
Governing: The Bus Lines That Can Solve a Bunch of Urban Problems
