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.

Streets Department crews are set to begin repaving five major thoroughfares in Philadelphia this week, including some streets in West Philadelphia. The work is scheduled to begin on Tuesday night, May 18.

There will be temporary street closures and parking restrictions to accommodate street resurfacing on the following streets:

• Spruce Street from 63rd Street to South Street/Convention Avenue
• 34th Street from Walnut Street to Spruce Street
• Presidential Blvd/Neil Dr/Falls Road from City Avenue to Falls Bridge
• MLK Drive from Falls Bridge to Art Museum
• Windrim Avenue from Wayne Avenue to Fisher Avenue

The resurfacing work for these streets is expected to be completed by mid-June. During the work, residents should expect parking restrictions – temporary ‘No Parking’ signs will be posted in advance of each scheduled activity.

Construction work will begin on the Safe Spaces for Cycling Project, starting the week of April 26th (weather permitting), according to today’s announcement by Streets Commissioner Carlton Williams.

The project involves the upgrading or reconfiguring bike lanes with the installation of pavement markings, flexible delineator posts, and bike lane related signage.

The following streets in West Philadelphia are included within the scope of this project:

• Parkside Avenue from Girard Ave to 52nd St. Continue Reading