The Hub 7/22/2022: 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.
BillyPenn: Schuylkill River Trail Is Getting $2.5 Million For An Extension – Officials recently announced that there is $2.5 million in State funding to extend the Schuylkill River Trail further into Southwest Philly. A final design for the trail extension is expected by next summer with construction starting shortly after. The completed trail extension is expected to be open by Summer or Fall 2025.
CityLab: America’s Bus Driver Shortage Has Left Transit Systems In Crisis – Nationwide, transit drivers are retiring or switching to higher paying private jobs. This creates a shortage of drivers which makes it more challenging for transportation agencies as they try to increase ridership. According to a report, 71% of transit agencies reported that they had to cut or delay services due to shortage of drivers.
PlanPhilly: Four Transformative Changes SEPTA Can Make To Be More Rider-friendly – SEPTA is making significant changes to improve its service and transit network. But four transformative changes SEPTA could implement in the next year to make the system more rider-friendly include:
- Modernize communication with riders
- Improve the bus routes along the Schuylkill Expressway
- Revamp railroad revenues
- Get creative with accessibility
The Inquirer: A First Glimpse Of SEPTA’s New Double-decker Regional Rail Cars – SEPTA’s first double-decker regional rail cars are under construction in China. The first two cars are expected to arrive in Philadelphia in early 2023. These double-decker passenger cars are designed to fit under bridges and in tunnels on SEPTA’s transit network.
Pittsburgh Magazine: How Bike Pittsburgh Is Making Our City Safer For Cyclists – Twenty years ago, Pittsburgh was referred to as one of the worst cities in the United States for Cyclists, as there were only three bike lanes present in 2002. Due to relentless effort from BikePGH through advocacy, education, and community, today Pittsburgh has over 100 miles of bike infrastructure making the city safer for cyclists.
Image Source: BillyPenn
