GREATER PHILADELPHIA — SEPTA announced it will conduct a series of public hearings on Bus Revolution, the Transportation Authority’s first-ever comprehensive redesign of its entire bus network, throughout the month of September. Representatives from SEPTA will present the recommended new bus network, including routes in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties, and hear public comments and testimony.
The 10 virtual and in-person hearings will take place at locations throughout SEPTA’s service area from September 12-28, 2023:
- Tuesday, 9/12: 1234 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19107 (Philadelphia County, 5-8 p.m.)
- Wednesday, 9/13: Virtual (Philadelphia County, 12-2 p.m.)
- Wednesday, 9/13: Virtual (Philadelphia County, 5-7 p.m.)
- Thursday, 9/14: Bucks County Community College – Bristol Campus, 1304 Veterans Highway, Bristol, PA 19007 (Bucks County, 6-8 p.m.)
- Tuesday, 9/19: West Chester University – Sykes Theater, 110 W Rosedale Ave, West Chester, Pa. 19382 (Chester County, 6-8 p.m.)
- Wednesday, 9/20: Temple University – Liacouras Center, 1776 N Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19121 (Philadelphia County, 6-8 p.m.)
- Thursday, 9/21: Norristown Public Library, 1001 Powell Street, Norristown, PA 19401 (Montgomery County, 5-7 p.m.)
- Tuesday, 9/26: Chester City Hall, 1 E. 4th Street, Chester, Pa. 19103 (Delaware / Chester County, 6-8 p.m.)
- Wednesday, 9/27: 1234 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19107 (Philadelphia County, 5-8 PM)
- Thursday, 9/28: Upper Darby Township Building, 100 Garret Road, Upper Darby, Pa. 19082 (Delaware County, 6-8 p.m.)
The recommended bus network presented at the hearings is the culmination of two years of detailed technical analysis and robust public engagement. Over the past several years, SEPTA has conducted four rounds of public input with more than 200 community meetings, reviewed over 10,000 comments, adjusted the network based on public feedback and priorities, and presented two updated network concepts.
“After several years of reviewing data and working closely with the communities we serve to address their comments and concerns, SEPTA is very excited to present our Bus Revolution plans and take another important step toward implementation,” said SEPTA CEO and general manager Leslie S. Richards. “The plan prioritizes the rider experience by improving access to a more reliable and more convenient bus network.”
The updated network is designed to achieve several priorities identified by the public, including more frequent bus service, an easier to understand network with enhanced reliability, and a focus on connectivity so riders can get further, faster. With the new network, the number of frequent routes increases by 30%, more than 99% of riders currently within a five-minute walk of a bus route remain within a five-minute walk, and an increase of 64% of riders are now within a ten-minute walk of frequent transit.
Updates will be made throughout SEPTA’s five county service region, including connecting major SEPTA transit centers at 69th Street, Wissahickon, Olney, and Fern Rock with Route 65, making it easier to travel across town without going into Center City; extending Route 79 to the Market-Frankford Line in West Philly to improve access to jobs in University City for South Philly residents; more frequent service in Delaware County with new all day frequent service on Route 109 and Route 113; faster and more frequent connections between King of Prussia, the Norristown High Speed Line, Norristown, and Plymouth Meeting Mall on Route 98. The proposed bus network changes, as well as a complete schedule of hearing dates and locations, can also be found at www.SEPTA.org and www.SEPTAbusrevolution.com.
Members of the public may attend hearings in-person or join a virtual hearing. All hearing locations are along an existing SEPTA bus route and are ADA accessible.
Individuals requiring translation services or sign-language interpreters should send requests to busnetwork@septa.org no later than September 6, 2023.
Individuals may also submit comments via email to busnetwork@septa.org or by filling out the testimony form available at www.SEPTAbusrevolution.com. For additional ways to participate, including providing written and oral comments, visit www.SEPTA.org.
To be included in the public record, comments must be received by 5 p.m. on September 30, 2023.
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