Friday Eye Candy: Cities Break Out the Festive Buses for the Holidays

Check out the holiday-themed buses rolling through the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority and the Detroit Department of Transportation systems.

2 minute read

December 15, 2017, 5:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Holiday Decorations

SEPTA MediaRelations / Twitter

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has rolled out holiday-themed buses to celebrate the season. "Each year, SEPTA holds a contest judging the bus best decorated for the holidays – and you can bet the phrase “over the top” is not in any entrant’s vocabulary," according to an article by Joe Trininacria. SEPTA took to Twitter to share the winners of the contest.

The Detroit Department of Transportation also decks out some of its buses in the holiday spirit. "The Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) bus campaign, sponsored by the Quicken Loans Community Investment Fund and DTE Energy, will run until Jan. 31 and feature buses covered with a 'cheerful theme' on the outside and holiday lights, garland, and other festive decorations on the inside," reports Hasan Dudar.

Friday, December 8, 2017 in Philadelphia

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Street scene in Kathmandu, Nepal with yellow minibuses and other traffic.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs

Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

15 minutes ago - Fast Company

Bike lane in Washington D.C. protected by low concrete barriers.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint

Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.

2 hours ago - The Washington Post

Bird's eye view of studio apartment design.

In These Cities, Most New Housing is Under 441 Square Feet

With loosened restrictions on “micro-housing,” tiny units now make up as much as 66% of newly constructed housing.

4 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive