SEPTA

Empty hallway lined with white tile in subway station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

How Transit Architecture Impacts Real and Perceived Safety

More than a third of Americans believe major transit systems are too unsafe to ride. The built environment can change that.

April 23, 2024 - WHYY

Transit police officer standing on subway platform with blurred train passing behind him.

New Philly Fare Gates ‘Astonishingly Easy to Beat’

A set of high-tech gates aimed at limiting fare evasion is already failing.

April 8, 2024 - 6ABC

Overhead view of white BUS LANE sign painted on red background on concrete street.

Philadelphia Bus Cameras Document Over 30,000 Violations

A pilot program tested AI-powered cameras that monitored bus-only lanes for parked vehicles.

October 15, 2023 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Close-up of SEPTA logo in white letters on red line at top of SEPTA bus in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia Moves to Improve Paratransit Services

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s partnership with a technology provider will boost the system’s paratransit and microtransit services to improve access and accessibility.

October 11, 2023 - Mass Transit

Vintage green Phialdelphia trolley moving down street

Retro Trolleys Returning to Philadelphia

The freshly restored vintage fleet will maintain service frequency on Route 15 before eventually being replaced by newer models.

July 11, 2023 - Billy Penn

Two white SEPTA buses with red and blue lines on urban Philadelphia street

Philly Bus Cameras Catch Over 20,000 Bus Lane Violations

A pilot program revealed roughly 4,000 instances of vehicles blocking bus lanes or bus stops every week.

June 12, 2023 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Bus Service

SEPTA Launches On-Demand Transit

The service will expand SEPTA bus service to the Philadelphia suburbs.

April 23, 2023 - NBC Philadelphia

Two white SEPTA buses with red and blue lines on urban Philadelphia street

SEPTA’s Strategy for Easing Its Staffing Shortage

The agency is taking multiple steps to recruit and retain more transit operators, but it likely won’t be enough to prevent the agency from having to cut service on some of its bus lines.

April 6, 2023 - WHYY

SEPTA Station

SEPTA To Install Arrival Clocks

The digital displays will finally let riders know when the next train is coming.

January 27, 2023 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

SEPTA bus stopped in front of Independence Hall, Phialdelphia, Pennsylvania

Digging Into SEPTA’s Problems

Philadelphia’s transit agency faces some structural challenges as it struggles to reorganize its services and bring back ridership.

January 22, 2023 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

White SEPTA bus driving through snow in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia Plans Bus System Overhaul

Regional transit agency SEPTA plans to streamline its service by replacing some suburban bus routes with on-demand transit.

December 6, 2022 - WHYY

A group of Latino dancers and musicians perform in front of the Love sculpture in Philadelphia.

New Film, Set on a Philly Bus, Celebrates the Magic of the Latino Community

The Latino community gathers on a bus, and joy ensues, in the new short film "La Guagua 47."

September 15, 2022 - WHYY

Philadelphia SEPTA Station

Philadelphia Plans for a Transit Revolution

Three coordinated, ambitious, simultaneous planning initiatives are underway at SEPTA, the regional transportation authority for Greater Philadelphia.

September 1, 2022 - TransitCenter

SEPTA Station

Riders Getting Stuck in SEPTA Tunnels Due to Increased Security Measures

As ridership dropped during the pandemic, Philadelphia's transit agency started locking station doors to keep unhoused people from using the tunnels as shelter. Now, riders are becoming trapped inside.

March 21, 2022 - Billy Penn

Pennsylvania

Opinion: Philly's Regional Transit Needs More Funding

The region's planning commission is pouring billions into highway widening projects while neglecting its public transit needs.

September 2, 2021 - WHYY

SEPTA bus

Opinion: Give Students Free SEPTA Rides All Week Long

Philadelphia's student passes cut off at 8 p.m. and don't include weekends, but expanding the free fare program could help SEPTA rebuild ridership and create lifelong transit users.

July 23, 2021 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

SEPTA Trolley

Amazon Outbids SEPTA for Southwest Philadelphia Property

The transit agency must renew its search for an appropriate facility for an expanded trolley barn as part of its plan to modernize its aging fleet.

April 5, 2021 - WHYY

SEPTA Bus Transit

Opinion: Philadelphia Mayor is Failing Transit Riders

By staying conspicuously absent from the controversy over the closure of the Somerset El station, the mayor has avoided involvement in an issue that affects the whole city, according to Philadelphia's leading architecture critic.

April 2, 2021 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

University of Pennsyvlania

Philadelphia Leaders Dream Big With New Transit Plan

The plan, which looks more than two decades into the future, seeks to modernize the city's transit system, address inequities, and improve regional connectivity.

March 1, 2021 - WHYY

Commuter Rail

Post-Pandemic Transit Planning: A New Era for Commuter Rail

Ridership on the nation's commuter rail services has plummeted more than other forms of transit during the pandemic. Serving a more affluent, professional ridership, commuter rail is looking more likely to face long-term cuts after the pandemic.

January 28, 2021 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

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HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Top Books

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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.