After more than a year of virtual learning caused by the pandemic, University of Pennsylvania students are moving back to campus this week to resume in-person learning. Partial closures of Spruce Street to accommodate students’ move-in began on Monday and will continue through Sunday, with the exception of Thursday when the street will remain open to traffic.

From Friday, Aug. 27 through Sunday, Aug. 29, Spruce Street will be closed between 38​th​ to 40th​ from 7:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

Just a reminder that no vehicular traffic, including bicycles, is permitted on the closed section of the street. If you’re a bicyclist you will have to get off your bike and walk. Buses will be on detour (please check SEPTA for more info).

Penn Police will be on site during the closures assisting with traffic flow and delays should be expected.

William “Will” Lindsay was tragically killed in a hit-and-run accident last summer while riding his bike in Philadelphia. This summer, to commemorate the anniversary of Will’s tragic death, Neighborhood Bike Works (NBW), the West Philadelphia based non-profit organization, has installed a permanent bike repair stand outside of their shop at 3939 Lancaster Ave.

Will’s loved ones started a Go Fund Me campaign to honor him and raise awareness of cycling safety. They raised over $65,000 and split the funds between the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia and Neighborhood Bike Works. This generous funding will help NBW in their efforts to provide cycling opportunities to as many Philadelphians as possible. Continue Reading

Weekly transpasses are being replaced by fare cards for Philadelphia public school students, the School District of Philadelphia and SEPTA have announced. About 65,000 eligible students in Philadelphia will receive a SEPTA Student Fare Card – a contact-free, reusable chip card that students can use to get to and from school during the 2021-2022 school year.

Here’s how the card will work for students:

Students can use the fare card up to eight times per day between the hours of 5:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. on any bus, trolley or subway on school days. If a student needs to use regional rail, they can upgrade their student fare card at designated SEPTA stations for about $10 per 5-day school week. Continue Reading

The SEPTA Trolley Tunnel that connects West Philadelphia with Center City will close for more than two weeks beginning Friday, July 9, which means that trolley routes 10, 11, 13, 34, and 36 will temporarily divert to 40th and Market. The annual trolley tunnel maintenance/construction project, “Trolley Tunnel Blitz”, will begin at 10 p.m. on Friday and continue until Monday, July 26, at 5:00 a.m.

During the “Blitz”, trolleys will continue operating in West Philadelphia. SEPTA customers may transfer to the Market Frankford Line at the 40th Street station (40th and Market) at no additional charge. Continue Reading

Photo by Jeannette Brugger

The city is preparing to launch a repaving and improvement project on two of West Philly’s busiest streets – Walnut and Chestnut – and asking for community input. Construction is expected to begin in Spring 2022 and last week, the City launched a survey to seek community feedback on redesign options for Walnut Street from 22nd to 63rd Street and Chestnut Street from 63rd Street to 34th Street.

The City’s Office of Transportation, Infrastructure and Sustainability (OTIS) is also hosting outdoor public open houses where residents can learn more about the project and provide feedback. They will take place on Thursday, June 17, 5-7 p.m. at the Walnut Hill Community Playground (47th and Sansom) and Tuesday, June 29, 5-7 p.m. at the Laura Sims Skate House (210 Cobbs Creek Pkwy). Continue Reading

SEPTA is ending vehicle capacity restrictions imposed at the beginning of the COVID pandemic. Beginning Tuesday, June 1, there will be no limits on the number of riders on all SEPTA vehicles.

The decision to lift vehicle capacity restrictions was made due to the decreasing number of COVID-19 cases in the Philadelphia region, as more people are getting vaccinated, and the recent decision by Philadelphia authorities to ease indoor capacity-related restrictions.

SEPTA customers will still be required to wear face masks on all vehicles and in stations.