First Phase to Roll Out in August

SEPTA is moving forward this year with the phased implementation of its New Bus Network. Changes to the bus network will roll out starting in August, with additional phases planned for February 2027 and June 2027 as part of the Fiscal Year 2027 Annual Service Plan. This initiative represents the first comprehensive redesign of SEPTA’s bus network in the Authority’s 63-year history and is an important step toward improving reliability and ease of use for both current and future riders.

SEPTA is holding a series of in-person open houses and pop-up events throughout the service area as part of an extensive customer education and outreach campaign ahead of formal public hearings on April 15. The SEPTA Board is expected to consider the Annual Service Plan at its May meeting. Information on select upcoming events – including a Virtual Town Hall next Wednesday, March 18 at 6:30 PM – can be found below and will be posted and updated regularly on the New Bus Network page.

The New Bus Network page on SEPTA’s website – https://wwww.septa.org/bus/ – has been updated with information resources including:

  • Route maps and frequency changes
  • Interactive network map
  • Title VI analysis
  • Implementation timelines
  • Public meeting information
  • Submitting public comments

SEPTA’s New Bus Network redesigns service around today’s travel patterns, putting buses where riders need them most. The result is a more reliable service that reaches more people by simplifying the overall bus network and improving connections to other SEPTA service, boosting service where it is needed most and making trips faster and more competitive with driving, and delivering more reliable service and offering frequent bus routes all day.

New Bus Network Resources: Details and customer resources are available on the New Bus Network page and updates on public outreach opportunities will be shared on SEPTA’s various social media platforms:

Website: https://wwww.septa.org/initiatives/bus/

Twitter/X: https://x.com/SEPTAPHILLY/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ISEPTAPHILLY

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/septaphilly

Planning for a more frequent, reliable, and better-connected bus network began in 2021. The SEPTA Board formally adopted the redesigned network in May 2024 following the largest community engagement effort in the Authority’s history. Over three years, SEPTA conducted 150 in-person events, 40 virtual meetings, and 10 public hearings, generating feedback from more than 20,000 residents.

While some adjustments have been made to the plan over the past two years, the goal remains the same: to make the network easier to use, reduce wait times, and improve overall reliability. Implementing the modernization in phases will maximize benefits while allowing riders time to adjust.

When all phases are implemented, the New Bus Network will increase the number of routes offering frequent service – defined as a trip every 15 minutes or better, seven days a week – from eight today to 29. Phase 1 will also add additional mid-day, late-night, and weekend service to ten routes. To support these improvements, some routes with low ridership or redundant service will be eliminated, while new service will be introduced in areas where demand is not fully met by the current network.

Key changes across the three phases include new routes, improved service frequency on high-ridership corridors, and the elimination or consolidation of low-ridership or duplicative routes. Highlights of the three phases are listed below:

Phase 1: Fall 2026

  • New Routes 72 and 76, and extensions of Routes 45, 53, 60, 61, 79, 105
  • Frequency improvements on Routes 6, 46, 47, 49, 57, and 64
  • Improved Alignments for Routes 25, 57, 49, 64, 105
  • Reduced service on Routes 4, 32, 39, 54, and 73
  • Elimination of low-ridership and inefficient patterns on Routes 17, 44, 52
  • Elimination of low ridership/duplicative service in Routes 35, 47M, 62, 78, 80, 89, 106

Phase 2: Spring 2027

  • Extension of limited stop Direct Bus service between Frankford Transit Center and Wissahickon Transit Center and Route 43 to 69th Street Transit Center
  • Implementation of two SEPTA Go zones in Chester County
  • Implementation of new Route 142 in Chester County
  • Alignment changes to improve Routes 3, 5, 22, 33, 51, 94
  • Elimination of low-ridership/duplicative Routes 1, 30, 92, 150, 201, 204, and 206

Phase 3: Summer 2027

  • Implementation of new SEPTA Go service in Montgomery County
  • Alignment changes to improve Route 95, 97, 98, 99, 131
  • Pattern reduction on Route 93
  • Elimination of low-ridership/duplicative Routes 90, 139
To update riders on the New Bus Network and provide information on how the route and frequency modernization plan will affect service, the New Bus Network team will be engaging riders where they ride by holding a series of public engagement sessions at locations throughout the SEPTA service area. Below is a selection of upcoming Open Houses and Pop-ups – more sessions will be added and updates will be posted on the New Bus Network page. ·       
March 18 – Virtual Webinar (6:30 – 8:00 PM)+ Pre-register HERE, from the New Bus Network page or the attached flyer·       
March 21 – Open House @ Frankford Library (11:00 AM – 1:00 PM)​+ 4634 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA  19124·       
March 24 – Open House @ Paoli Library (4:00 – 6:00 PM)+ 18 Darby Rd, Paoli, PA  19301·      
March 25 – Open House @ Action Center 4 (6:30 – 8:00 PM)+ 5630 Vine St.; Philadelphia, PA  19139·      
 March 27 – Pop-up Session @ Wissahickon Trans. Ctr. (7-9 AM & 4-6 PM)·      
 March 31 – Pop-up Information Session @ Norristown Transit Center·      
 April 2 – Open House @ West Chester Borough Hall (5:00 – 7:00 PM)+ 401 E Gay St., West Chester, PA  19380·       
April 6 – Open House @ Simons Rec Center (5:00 – 7:00 PM)+ 7200 Woolston Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19138 

The public is also invited to ask questions and provide feedback via email or phone and at the formal public hearings scheduled for Wednesday, April 15. 

Public Hearings: Wednesday, April 15 @ 12:00 PMIn person:SEPTA Headquarters – Board Rm.1234 Market StreetPhiladelphia, PA  19107 Virtual:Register via Webex Open House (in person only) will be held at 11:00 AM immediately before the hearing.

Wednesday, April 15 @ 6:00 PMIn person:SEPTA Headquarters – Board Rm.1234 Market StreetPhiladelphia, PA  19107 Virtual:Register Via Webex Open House (in person only) will be held at 5:00 PM immediately before the hearing. Feedback:The public can also provide feedback on the New Bus Network, including the phasing plan, tariffs being updated through the Annual Service Plan, and mitigations listed in the Title VI tables. ·       Email: planning@septa.org·       Phone: 215-580-7800