New Bus Network Begins August 23

Resources and Travel Tools Available for Customers to Plan Their Trips

Phase 1 of SEPTA's New Bus Network debuts this Sunday, August 23, with redesigned routes and frequency changes that will deliver more frequent and reliable bus service systemwide. Full details on Phase 1 are available at https://wwww.septa.org/initiatives/
bus/phase-one/.

In preparation, SEPTA has been conducting an extensive education campaign to inform riders about the changes and help to make the transition to the New Bus Network as seamless as possible. Ongoing daily rider engagement at more than 40 bus stops, loops and transit centers will continue through the end of August. The New Bus Network Phase 1 page on SEPTA's website also has a number of resources and travel tools to help riders plan their travel, including:

A Guide for Students and Families: Summaries service to schools near routes that are changing in Phase 1 to support planning and communication with students, staff, and families.
https://wwww.septa.org/wp-content/uploads/page/communication/School-Route-Change-Impact_Pt-2_-V04.5.pdf

Phase 1 Trip Planner: Allows riders to see if and how Phase 1 will change their travel to work, school, errands or entertainment.
https://nbn-plan.septa.org/#/

Phase 1 Rider Guide: Maps and descriptions of all bus routes with routing and frequency changes in Phase 1.
https://wwww.septa.org/wp-content/uploads/page/communication/2026-08-03-Phase-1-Report-Book.pdf

PHASE 1 HIGHLIGHTS

New Routes:
• Route 72 - creates new service on Cheltenham Ave. connecting the L at Frankford Transit Center and Cedarbrook Plaza
• Route 76 - provides new service between North & South Philadelphia via Columbus Blvd., Frankford Ave., and G St.
Route Extensions:
• Route 45 - extension provides 7-day service to the Navy Yard, including connections to the B at NRB Station
• Route 53 - extended in both directions to connect to Carpenter Regional Rail Station and Richmond-Westmoreland Loop
• Route 60 - extended to include 1/2 hour service to Wissahickon Transit Center
• Route 79 - extension provides service between South & West Philadelphia, with connections to the L at 40th Street every 30 minutes or less
Frequency Improvements:
• Routes 25, 60, 64 and 105
Discontinued Routes:
• To achieve system-wide improvements and maximize available resources, some low-ridership and inefficient route patterns will be eliminated on Bus Routes: 17, 44 and 52. Additionally, the following low ridership/duplicative Bus Routes - 35, 47M, 62, 78, 80, 89, and 106 - will be discontinued in favor of complementary service.

New Fall Schedules for All Bus and Metro Service Go Into Effect August 23 & 24

In addition to the start of Phase 1 of the New Bus Network, fall schedules for all Bus and Metro routes go into effect on Sunday, August 23 and Monday, August 24. These schedules are available to view and download now on SEPTA's website https://wwww.septa.org/news/bus-metro-schedules/ and will go live Sunday morning for the start of the service day.

Customers planning for travel after August 23 can use the New Bus Network Trip Planner to see what their trips will look like after Phase 1 is implemented. Starting on Sunday, all trip planning and interactive schedules on SEPTA.org, the SEPTA App, and third-party apps like Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Transit, will transition over to the new network.

New Bus Stop Signage and Maps to Help Make Travel Easier

Riders will also notice new bus stop signs posted at stops along new and realigned routes, featuring:
• "Frequent red" color indicating routes that come every 15 minutes or better.
• Reflective SEPTA Bus Symbol that makes the stop easier to find and improves safety after dark.
• Name of the stop clearly identified to help with navigation.
• More detailed information when a bus has multiple possible destinations, matching the signs on
the front of the bus.
• Clearer and more standardized typography, symbols and organization, matching maps, schedules
and digital tools.

Market Street Bridge Closure will Detour Six Bus Routes for Approximately 1 Year

Beginning Monday, August 24, six bus routes that operate on the Market Street Bridge over the Schuylkill River will be detoured for an extended period as PennDOT completes bridge rehabilitation work. The rehabilitation project will require partial detours on Market Street and Walnut Street. This includes closing Market Street to vehicular traffic for approximately one year. For more information visit https://wwww.septa.org/news/market-st-bridge-rehab/.

The following bus routes will be detoured from August 2026 to October 2027, about 14 months:
• Route 31
• Route 44
• Route 49
• Route 124
• Route 125
• L1 Owl
The LUCY will not be on detour but may experience longer travel times.

PennDOT is completing rehabilitation work on the Market Street bridges over Amtrak and I-76 (Schuylkill Expressway),

the Schuylkill River and Trail and CSX Railroad, as well as preservation improvements to the Walnut Street Bridge over the Schuylkill River. The project will make the bridges smoother and easier to travel on and includes the installation of a protected bicycle lane. This work started in March 2025 and is scheduled to be complete in April 2029. More information is available on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania website.

Customer Information Resources

Customers should bookmark and follow the below sites and social media accounts for updates on service and other SEPTA news.

• Customer Service: Customers can always obtain service and other information from SEPTA Customer Service online at https://wwww.septa.org/customer-service/ or by calling 215-580-7800

• Website: https://www.septa.org/

• SEPTA App: https://wwww.septa.org/app/

• Social Media: @SEPTAPHILLY (Facebook), @SEPTAPHILLY (X / Twitter), @SEPTANews (X / Twitter), @SEPTAPHILLY (Instagram)