🚌 Philly moves controversial bus stop

Philly To Go 36 Hours Without a Mayor

Due to a technicality in the city’s charter, Philly will be without a mayor for a day-and-a-half between Mayor Jim Kenney’s departure and Mayor-elect Cherelle Parker’s swearing in. While some political commentators dismiss the gap as inconsequential, others fret about what could happen if an emergency befalls the city during that window. Meanwhile, some citizens are nominating themselves to act as Parker’s temporary surrogate. [Billy Penn]

Voter Turnout Up – But Not For All of Philly

More people voted in Philadelphia compared to recent “off-year” elections, according to an analysis from The Philadelphia Inquirer. But the gains came from predominantly white, affluent neighborhoods, and turnout was down among the Black and Latino voters Democrats are counting on to help them carry the state in 2024. [Inquirer]

PGW Rate Increase Approved

Philadelphians will see their natural gas bills go up starting next month, but not by as much as city-owned Philadelphia Gas Works had planned. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission approved a rate increase that’s less than a third of what PGW had proposed. Environmental advocates had challenged the utility’s plans to use revenue from the proposed increase to replace natural gas infrastructure, saying it should move away from carbon-emitting fossil fuels. [WHYY]

🎨 Black Futures: A Conversation About Art and Identity | Wednesday | 6 p.m.

The Colored Girls Museum’s executive director, Vashti DuBois, moderates a conversation with Black artists from the Legacy Reclaimed project. [Free, Society Hill]

🎷 Rite of Swing Jazz Café: Andrew Esch Group | Thursday | 4:30 p.m.

Guest artists and students and faculty from Temple University’s Boyer College of Music and Dance perform in this jazz concert series. [Free, North Philly]

📽️ Murders That Matter: Documentary Screening and Discussion | Thursday | 6 p.m.

This documentary follows one Philadelphia mother’s transformation from “a victim of violent trauma into a fierce advocate against gun violence in Black communities.” A discussion with local elected representatives follows. [Free, West Philadelphia]

🏠 The Philly Mixer - Real Estate Networking Event | Thursday | 6 p.m.

A networking event for real estate professionals at SOUTH Restaurant & Jazz Club. [$15, Fairmount]

Philly Moves Controversial Bus Stop

Since Philadelphia’s bus depot closed this summer, travelers riding with Greyhound, Peter Pan, and other major carriers have had to wait outside for buses near 6th and Market Streets, alongside curbside companies like Megabus. The area has no dedicated bathrooms, seating, or shelter for passengers. This week, the city is moving the bus stop again, to yet another temporary curbside location in a different neighborhood. Inga Saffron, architecture columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer, explains how the city lost its intercity bus station and argues that a form of transit so many people use deserves more respect.