The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority is tackling a redesign of the bus system serving the city of Philadelphia.

"SEPTA issued a blueprint Thursday to revitalize its bus network in Philadelphia that’s suffering from slow service, shrinking ridership, and competition from ride share businesses," reports Jason Laughlin.
Laughlin reports that SEPTA is undertaking the system redesign with the help of Jarrett Walker, a Portland-based consultant who also worked on bus system redesigns in Houston, Columbus, and Anchorage.
Walker is quoted in the article saying that Philadelphia's system won't require as comprehensive an overhaul as implemented in Houston. "Most of the routes would likely not change, he said. About 70 percent of the current network was effectively designed to serve the needs of riders," writes Laughlin.
Two of Walker's talking points reported in the article include the need to increase frequencies on some lines while removing duplications on others.
Planetizen first picked up the news of SEPTA's intentions to redesign the bus system a year ago.
FULL STORY: SEPTA's vision for a new bus network: faster, fewer stops, no transfer fees

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

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

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie