The first electric trolley debuted 125 years ago today on the Catharine and Bainbridge Street Line. Photo from the The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia.

On December 15, 1892, the first electric trolley began running on the Catharine and Bainbridge Streets Line, making public transportation a little more affordable for the masses.

SEPTA is marking the anniversary today with a ceremony and a “wrapped” trolley (pictured below) commemorating those early days that will run on the 11, 13, 34 and 36 lines for the next year.  Continue Reading

Here’s something that might put you in the holiday spirit: SEPTA’s decorated holiday trolleys are back in service, operating on Routes 10, 11, 13, 34 or 36!

Operators Gary Mason and Dave Musgrave used hundreds of lights, yards of garland and tons of ornaments to decorate the “holly, jolly trolleys” in an effort to make the season brighter for their passengers.

The festive trolleys can be found on the following routes:
• Trolley #9104, operating on Route 10
• Trolley #9055, operating on Routes 11, 13, 34 or 36

If you haven’t yet, we hope you’re lucky enough to catch a ride on one of these festive trolleys.

Here’s some useful information on public transportation, parking, trash/recycling collection and hours/closings at local businesses during the holiday weekend. Happy Thanksgiving!

Parking

The Philadelphia Parking Authority is not enforcing meters, kiosks or residential parking time limits on Thanksgiving Day (Thu, Nov. 23).

SEPTA Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend Service

Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, November 23:
• Regional Rail, buses, trolleys and the Norristown High Speed Line will operate on a Sunday/Holiday Schedule.
• Detours will be in effect from 3 a.m. to 2 p.m. on and around the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on routes 2, 7, 17, 27, 31, 32, 33, 38, 43, 44, 48, 124 and 125 due to the Thanksgiving Day Parade.  Continue Reading

SEPTA has scheduled a trolley track replacement project on Spruce Street between 38th-40th Streets. The work will begin Monday, Sept. 18 and is scheduled to end on Sunday, Oct. 1.

This portion of track is used when street closures or emergencies prevent trolleys from using their regular routing. The construction is not anticipated to affect service on Routes 11, 13, 34 and 36.

Most of the track in this area was last replaced in the 1950s. The street structure supporting the tracks has deteriorated due to weather, traffic and the age of the road surface. SEPTA will excavate and replace approximately 1,100 track feet and repave the track area. The new and improved track components will make for a smoother and quieter ride.  Continue Reading

It’s that time of the summer again. The 2017 Trolley Tunnel Blitz, SEPTA’s catchy name for the annual construction and maintenance project inside the trolley tunnel to Center City, will take place July 7 – 17, according to an announcement by SEPTA. During the Blitz, which will begin at 10 p.m. on Friday, July 7, SEPTA Trolley Routes 10, 11, 13, 34 and 36 will not operate in the tunnel, but will be diverted to 40th and Market Streets.

Passengers are advised to use the Market Frankford Line for traveling to Center City or board the train at 40th and Market where trolley service will begin and end during the Blitz.  Continue Reading

All SEPTA modes of transportation will operate on a Sunday schedule on Tuesday, July 4, but additional service will be added to subway and trolleys at night to accommodate those who are planning to watch the fireworks on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The following information may be helpful to West Philly residents:

Market-Frankford Line: A total of ten extra trains will be dispatched starting at 4:30 p.m. to provide service every five minutes. These extra trips will run until 12:30 a.m. to help customers get home after the event. Market-Frankford Line Night Owl buses will replace trains at 12:30 a.m. SEPTA’s 15th Street Station provides riders access to and from the Parkway festivities.

Trolleys: Additional trips will be added on Routes 10, 11, 13, 34 and 36 after the fireworks.

More information can be found at septa.org.

Click here for more information about July 4th events and activities in the city (Independence Day Parade, Free Museum Day, Party on the Parkway and more).