SEPTA is planning to rename a popular West Philadelphia bus route. Beginning February 2025, the “G” bus will become Bus 63. The other lettered buses (H, J, L, R, and XH) will also change into numbers. Riders will get a chance to get used to the new name as SEPTA is planning to use both new numbers and old letters for a period of time.

SEPTA is planning these changes because it wants to use letters only for its Metro network – trains and some trolley routes: “L” for Market-Frankford Line, “B” for the Broadstreet Line, and “G” for Trolley Route 15. As for the other trolley routes, they are now numbered from 1 to 5 with “T” in front: T1 (Route 10), T2 (Route 34), T3 (Route 13), T4 (Route 11), and T5 (Route 36). These changes were introduced last year as part of SEPTA’s efforts to simplify its naming system, which is a part of the SEPTA Forward plan.

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Walnut Street bike lane near 44th St. (November, 2024). (Photo: West Philly Local)

There are some dangerously dirty bike lanes in West Philly. Philly Bike Action, a local organization that advocates for safe, protected bike lanes in the city, is hosting a Walnut Street bike lane clean up this Saturday, Jan. 18. Volunteer help is needed with trash pick-up and clearing weeds and debris. Materials will be provided, but you can bring your own if you wish. See the flyer below for more details.

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UPDATE (12/16/2024): The Streets Department are waiting for the property owners to make the necessary repairs, according to Ciani Beatty, Constituent Services Manager of the Office of Councilmember Jamie Gauthier. “Once the repairs are complete Streets will be able to repave the area. The condition of the ditch is safe with backfill and asphalt.”

UPDATE (12/12/2024): There is finally some progress. The pit has recently been filled in with asphalt. However, it hasn’t been smoothed so it’s still dangerous to use for bicyclists. See a new photo below. Thank you to Hanna and Julia (see more info below) for sending us updates on this issue.

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Mayor Cherelle Parker has signed into law the “Get Out The Bike Lane” bill recently approved by Philadelphia City Council. The bill, which prohibits motorists from stopping, standing, or parking in a bike lane, was introduced by City Council President Kenyatta Johnson two months after the death of 30-year-old Dr. Barbara Ann Friedes, a pediatrician at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, who was killed in a multi-vehicle crash while legally riding in a bike lane bear 18th and Spruce Streets back on July 17.

Going forward, folks will now be fined $125 in Center City and University City, and $75 in other neighborhoods, for stopping or standing in any bike lane in Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia Parking Authority will be the lead agency enforcing the law. The new law isn’t going to be fully enforced until the city updates all the necessary traffic signs which should be completed by next spring.

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Here’s the latest info regarding recently proposed SEPTA fare hikes and other public transportation news.

The fare changes proposed in September will go into effect on December 1. These changes include the elimination of the 50-cent fare discount for users of SEPTA Key cards and other contactless media, such as debit/credit cards and Apple Pay. So, starting this Sunday, SEPTA customers will have to pay the full amount of $2.50 per ride. On average, fares will increase by 7.5 percent in December.

While these fare changes will go into effect next month, the major 21.5 percent fare increase proposed for January 2025 has been avoided thanks to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s announcement last week about SEPTA receiving $153 million stop-gap funding. SEPTA will also avoid service cuts in the first half of 2025 thanks to this funding, which covers SEPTA’s projected operating budget gap through the current fiscal year, which ends on June 30, 2025.

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SEPTA is planning to increase fares by 29 percent from the current rates and also shut down many routes in an effort to help fund its operating expenses.

The decision was made this week after it became clear that much needed state funding may not be coming any time soon. SEPTA faces a $240 million budget deficit. SEPTA is also currently negotiating a new contract with its workers’ union, Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 234, which is demanding wage increases and safety improvements for both passengers and transit workers.

A bill funding SEPTA $161 million per year has passed the Pennsylvania State House with bipartisan support, but is being stalled in the Senate.

Starting January 1, 2025, SEPTA fares may increase to $2.90 per ride, according to a proposal announced this week. This is the second fare increase proposed by SEPTA this year. The first increase, from $2.00 to $2.50 per ride for SEPTA Key and contactless card users, was proposed in September and will likely become effective on Dec. 1.

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