Transit Forward Philadelphia

Philly deserves transit that is safe and accessible for everyone! 🚌♿️

Transit Forward Philadelphia has developed a Transit Accessibility and Safety form to document the conditions of transit stops across Philly. We plan to document conditions at the stops and deliver a report to decision makers to build a safer and more  equitable transit system. Get involved by joining an audit or using the resources below to plan one in your community.

Get involved:

• Audit your transit stop form

• How to audit your transit stop guide
  
  
• June 30th transit audit event
  
  

100+ Transit Riders, Workers, and Politicians Call for Transit Funding Solution at Harrisburg Day of Action

On June 3rd, Transit Forward Philly coalition members packed a Keystone line train and headed to Harrisburg to fight for the transit that Philly and all PA communities deserve.

We joined 100+ transit riders, transit workers, and neighbors from rural, small-town, and urban communities joined together with legislators to call for a solution to the shared-ride and paratransit funding crisis.

Across all 67 counties, millions of older adults and people with disabilities rely on this door-to-door service to reach jobs, medical appointments, groceries, and the community. This form of public transportation is particularly vital in rural and aging communities, where alternative mobility options, including fixed route transit, are limited or nonexistent.

Advocates, families, and community organizations are raising serious concerns regarding the implementation of a fare evasion enforcement program by the School District of Philadelphia (SDP).

While the program is being presented as an effort to address revenue losses related to fare nonpayment and SEPTA Key card “swipes,” this proposal risks pulling young people into the criminal justice system rather than addressing the root causes that lead students to bypass fares in the first place.

Earlier this year, our coalition called for expanding access for student fare cards to include evenings, weekends, and summer for Philly students.

Every day, nearly 100,000 Philly students in grades 7-12 travel to and from school. Student fare cards are only valid from 5:30am-8:00pm on days when school is in session. Fare cards do not work on the weekends or over the summer when students need access to jobs and other opportunities. Students are only eligible for the cards if they live more than 1.5 miles from their campus - leaving out more than 30,000 secondary students in Philadelphia.

“At a time when school districts across the country are struggling with chronic absenteeism and barriers to student attendance, it is deeply troubling to create a system that punishes students simply for trying to get to school,” said Stephen Bronskill, Coalition Manager for Transit Forward Philly. “Transportation is not a luxury for many young people, it is a necessity to reach school, part time jobs, and activities.”

Councilmember At-Large Landau shared the following response to the SDP decision: “Last month, I passed a resolution calling for a City Council hearing on the need for universal student fares in Philadelphia. In our city, we should be expanding access for young people in Philly to reach jobs, opportunities, and programs that will help them build their futures, not criminalizing them while they're taking public transportation. I look forward to holding this hearing and bringing experts together to discuss real solutions to the student fare access gap.”

Advocates warn that increased enforcement measures, citations, and police involvement could disproportionately impact low-income students, Black and Latino youth, and students already facing instability at home. Rather than investing in supportive solutions, the program risks criminalizing poverty and placing additional burdens on families already navigating economic hardship.

Community members are also questioning the broader policy disconnect between the District’s stated goals of increasing attendance and educational access while simultaneously supporting enforcement systems that may deter students from using public transportation altogether.

Jerrett Johnson Lead Transit Organizer for 5th Square Advocacy stated the following: “This procedure would put students behind the eight ball in life which we are setting them up for failure instead of success…in my opinion, this program would not help students because the passes would still work only on school days but with someone checking every move.”

Alex Milone Transit Committee Co-chair at 5th Square Advocacy stated the following: “If we truly want our students in classrooms and participating in extracurricular activities, we must create systems that help them get there safely and consistently…the answer cannot just be surveillance, fines, or court involvement for young people who may not have the resources to pay for transportation.”

Advocates are calling on the School District and transit officials to pursue alternative solutions centered on student support, including expanded transit access programs, improved outreach to families, fare assistance initiatives, and restorative approaches that do not expose youth to criminal penalties.

Additionally, advocates recommend the school district reach out to students and families over the summer to communicate these changes and solicit further feedback. Furthermore, this is an opportunity for the school district to reform and expand access to the current student fare system. 

Transit Forward Philadelphia, 5th Square Advocacy, Clean Air Council, SEPTA Youth Advisory Council, Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia 

This week, transit advocates joined Mayor Parker, members of the Philadelphia City Council, and the Philadelphia Parking Authority in celebrating the opening of Philadelphia’s new intercity bus terminal at 1001 Filbert Street.

After Greyhound closed its terminal at the same location in 2023, Philadelphia intercity bus riders faced major challenges. The temporary terminal on Spring Garden street lacked shelter from the rain, heat, and snow and had limited access to restrooms. Additionally, the Spring Garden site featured a single, segregated wheelchair pickup location and the nearby L station lacks an elevator,  making access to intercity bus service for bus riders with disabilities nearly impossible.

We welcome the new fully ADA compliant station which provides 24/7 access to bus passengers. It also has amenities like bathrooms with changing stations, vending machines, a lactation pod, and space for a potential future small cafe. The facility has 11 bus bays with 20 bus carriers signed on to provide service to Philadelphians. 

According to Transit Forward Philly coalition partner,  Disabled in Action member, and Liberty Resources staff member Lauren Alden, “Access to affordable public transit ensures that individuals with disabilities are integrated into the community and not segregated and/or restricted in our ability to live a meaningful life. Nearly 250,000 Philadelphians are disabled, and it goes without question that accessibility at any of our city’s public transportation sites should be prioritized.”

Transit Forward Philly and coalition partners have advocated for years for dignity for intercity bus riders by handing out water on hot days, amplifying the voices of transit riders at City Council meetings, and conducting an accessibility audit. Recently, Transit Forward Philadelphia members shared public comment in support of City Council Transportation and Utilities Committee Chair Mike Driscoll’s Bill No. 26026500. Advocates also joined city leaders at the bill signing authorizing the new terminal.

The Nation magazine recently featured TFP member and Philadelphia disability advocate, Nico Meyering regarding the fight for intercity bus riders in Philly. In the story, Nico shared, “If we are not able to move about the nation as our needs dictate, then our freedom is limited. We don’t have true freedom.”

We join the city in celebrating the bus terminal’s opening  in time for Philly to host the FIFA World Cup, MLB All Star Game, and America’s 250th anniversary. But even more importantly, this new facility brings dignity to Philadelphians looking for an affordable ride to visit family or travel to work in nearby cities and students traveling  home from school. 

Transit Forward Philly looks forward to continuing our advocacy for better intercity bus service and dignity for bus riders in Philadelphia. We are eager to hear your thoughts about the new bus terminal.

After the state budget passed in 2025 with no new additional transit funding, Transit Forward Philadelphia and its coalition partners spoke at multiple SEPTA board meetings asking SEPTA leaders to communicate to riders updated plans for their bus redesign.

Since our formation in 2020, Transit Forward Philadelphia has advocated for a redesigned, reliable, and affordable bus system in Philly. The fact is that too many Philadelphians have been late to work or school because of unreliable buses, face wait times of up to an hour, or struggle to reach their destinations outside of peak commute times. A 2022 TFP rider survey connected with over 2,000 SEPTA bus riders and affirmed the need for change.

Over the past several years, SEPTA has shared evolving plans for a ‘Bus Revolution’ to update its bus network. In 2024, the new network was indefinitely postponed.

This month, SEPTA made their announcement, now titled the ‘New Bus Network’. The plan will be implemented in phases, with the first taking place in August 2026.

August 2026 Changes will include:

• Two new bus routes:
  • Route 72 on Cheltenham Avenue connecting Frankford Transit Center and Cedarbrook Plaza
  • Route 76 providing service between North Philadelphia and South Philadelphia
• Extensions to existing bus routes:
  • Route 45 to the Navy Yard
  • Route 79 to University City
• Frequency improvements to bus routes 6, 46, 47, 49, 57 and  64
• Visit SEPTA’s New Bus Network site for a full list of changes and information on phase 2 and 3.

Here’s what this means for transit riders:

• Routes and timetables will change. That’s why it is critical for SEPTA to communicate these changes to riders in a format that is accessible to them by meeting them where they are - at transit stops, on buses, and in the community.
• This plan is ‘revenue neutral.’ That means that service improvements for riders are paid for by finding efficiencies on other routes.
  • Funding Transit For All PA and passing a sustainable funding source for SEPTA is one way to avoid future austerity plans.
• With state funding up in the air, the New Bus Network makes investments that deliver positive changes for many Philly bus riders. The graph below from SEPTA’s Annual Service Plan(pg. 126), shows how SEPTA proposes to take resources from routes that cost 6x-7x more $ to operate and uses them to increase frequency and reliability on more efficient routes. Shoutout to Route 60 for being the most efficient bus in PA!

• The New Bus Network is not a perfect system. The Transit Forward Philly coalition has expressed concerns over eliminating fixed route service for ‘microtransit’ in parts of Noristown, Paoli-Great Valley, and West Chester- Malvern. Elimination of service to some communities such as Gladwynne without any form of microtransit is a disappointing service cut. Riders of eliminated buses like Route 1 may need to make multiple transfers to reach their destination. These changes may be abrupt for many riders and clear communication is a critical part of the New Bus Network’s success.
• Given the funding constraints that SEPTA has been under and the changes that have been made to address community concerns since the beginning of the Bus Revolution project, overall this plan provides easier access to more frequent service for more bus riders. Philly transit riders should be able to go to a bus stop near their home, work or school, and know that a reliable bus is on the way on weekdays, evenings, and weekends. On balance, the New Bus Network, improves service for Philadelphians and gets us closer to this goal.

Here’s what you can do:

• Attend a New Bus Network Event
  • Check SEPTA’s website for the most up to date information

• Join an Open House and Hearing on April 15 at SEPTA HQ (1234 Market St) - Register here with TFP
  • 11am - In Person Open House
  • 12pm - Public Hearing (Virtual or In Person) Register via Webex
  • 5 pm - In Person Open House
  • 6 pm - Public Hearing (Virtual or In Person) Register via Webex
    
• Read the full annual service plan.
  • Check out changes to routes you and your neighbors take - read SEPTA’s justifications and make your voice heard about what you think.
• Share updates on the New Bus Network with your community
  • You can help your fellow bus riders, your friends, family, neighbors, and community groups know what is coming. Share the New Bus Network proposal and let your people know how they can take action.

We want to hear from you:
Is there a part of the New Bus Network that you love, disagree with, or have questions about? Your voice matters in this process and we want to help amplify it. Please contact [email protected] with your comments.

As a diverse 37+ member coalition, we understand that big changes like this to the 6th largest transit system in America with nearly half a million bus riders will impact everyone differently. We may have differences of opinion on specific aspects of this plan but we share the goal of a more reliable, sustainable, and accessible transit in Philly. We are committed to working with everyone moving forward to  building the transit system that Philly deserves.

PHILADELPHIA, PA

Philadelphia transit riders and advocates celebrate the release of Mayor Cherelle Parker’s FY 2027 budget. The Mayor’s plan provides needed funding for critical transit investments including the nationally recognized Zero Fare program, municipal Key Advantage, and increased resources for SEPTA. The budget announcement comes after a week of action that culminated in a rally at City Hall with state elected officials, union leaders, and community advocates from across Philadelphia calling for Zero Fare and Key Advantage to be funded in the city budget.

Transit Forward Philadelphia appreciates the leadership of Minority Whip Nicolas O’Rourke (WFP, At-Large) and contributions from leaders throughout the Philadelphia City Council for supporting these programs. Councilmember O’Rourke shared, “Our mayor made a great choice in continuing to prioritize transit access through funding Zero Fare and Key Advantage. These programs help generate the positive feedback loops that SEPTA needs, and keeps—as with so many of our constituents—affordability front of mind. I thank the Philadelphians who made it clear that transit access is, and will be, a priority in their communities.”

Gloria ‘Smooches’ Cartagena Hart, a community organizer with Kensington Corridor Trust shared, I work with families throughout the Kensington community and would love to thank Mayor Parker for supporting all Philadelphians that are living paycheck to paycheck. With Zero Fare funded, now families will not have the extra concern of how they’ll get to where they need to go.”

Julio Rodriguez, Policy Director of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia (BCGP) said, “BCGP is glad that mobility investments were prioritized in the budget. All Philadelphians must have freedom of mobility. The Mayor's Key Advantage and Zero Fare investment ensure that over 60,000 income-eligible community members and 13,000 employees have that opportunity. BCGP is glad to see there is level funding for Vision Zero and we look forward to working with our members and allies to advocate for increased funding through this year's budget cycle.”

Transit Forward Philadelphia Coalition Manager, Stephen Bronskill shared, “Nearly a year after a 21.5% SEPTA fare increase, transit riders should not have to balance paying for food, medical care, and bus fare. Thanks to this announcement, tens of thousands of Philadelphians living near the poverty line are breathing easier now that their Zero Fare cards will be funded through July 2027. We applaud Mayor Parker for her leadership and for listening to the voices of transit riders. Zero Fare has been called ‘America’s best low income transit program’ due to its low barriers to entry for participants. We look forward to working with members of the Philadelphia City Council to ensure that this innovative program remains fully funded through the budget process.”

Bronskill went on to share the path forward for transit advocates in Philly, “City leaders should make the Zero Fare program permanent by establishing a Transit Access Fund. This would expand access to transit for low income Philadelphians and give Zero Fare participants certainty that their rides to work and opportunities are preserved. It also makes SEPTA more affordable for everyone by making Key Advantage programs for workplaces, schools, and housing more accessible. Additionally, state elected leaders should recognize that Philly is doing its part to invest in transit and pass a state budget that includes sustainable funding for transit agencies across PA.”

Transit Forward Philadelphia is a coalition of 37 organizations supporting a safe, accessible, and sustainable transit network in the Philadelphia region. Learn more at transitforwardphilly.org.
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