After a comprehensive community engagement process that totaled over three years and more than 200 meetings, SEPTA has finally laid out what it expects to be the final draft of its "Bus Revolution" proposal. This new plan, released on Monday, aims to overhaul the Philadelphia bus system with more frequent pit stops at high-traffic areas and better access to other mass transit options. It's designed to get you where you need to go—work, school, or your next appointment—faster and more reliably.
In what might be seen as a nod to public opinion, the latest proposal by SEPTA has decided not just to keep the Route 32 bus in service but to reinstate the line that serves the neighborhoods of Roxborough, Strawberry Mansion, and Fairmount. This relieves the riders who previously faced the potential axing of their lifeline to South Broad Street. Additionally, Route 16 is slated to fully realign to City Hall, while Route 57 is expected to be restored to its full-length path, scrapping the split at York and Dauphin streets. The proposal also includes extending Route 26 to link with the Wissahickon Transit Center, as reported by NBC Philadelphia.
SEPTA CEO Leslie Richards emphasized the critical updates, saying, "We have worked closely with City Council and our riders, operators, and stakeholders for more than two years to deliver a plan that will make our bus network more frequent, reliable, and accessible across the entire region," according to a statement obtained by WHYY. Richards further stressed the agency's commitment to listening to its patrons and assuring that the network offers equitable access for all communities involved.
In response to the Philadelphia City Council's input, the finalized blueprint promises to restore the Route 18 alignment in Cedarbrook and significantly increase the number of Route 52 trips serving 54th and City Ave. These strategic adjustments are meant to continue serving the Wynnefield neighborhood with the frequent bus network. Once given the final thumbs up, SEPTA plans to launch a comprehensive public education campaign, to fully inform residents about the forthcoming changes set to be rolled out in the summer of 2025, as mentioned in a report by FOX 29.
With these sweeping revisions, SEPTA wants to transform the city's transit landscape. Riders can soon expect a bus system that's not just more accessible but one that offers a level of convenience and reliability that Philadelphia has been eagerly awaiting.
