🚉 SEPTA ‘accelerates’ into 21st century

After suffering from budget cuts, service disruptions, and both figurative and literal fires, SEPTA is determined to turn around its image in the coming years. The transit agency released “Accelerate” on Tuesday, its strategic plan for a “safer, cleaner, more reliable transit system.” Here’s SEPTA’s vision for your future commutes:

• Expedient Service on Regional Rail. The plan promises 15-minute train service seven days a week. The stations themselves will feature high-level platforms and accessible entries to speed up boarding.
• New Vehicles. New trolleys will be ADA-compliant with improved stations, while train cars will have open gangways and longitudinal seating, adding more space. New cars for the L are expected as soon as 2029, and look for new Silverliner VI cars for the Regional Rail between 2030 and 2035.
• Upgraded Stations. SEPTA plans to expand its real-time arrival signage, improve lighting, and add more full-height gates to prevent fare evasion.
• New Transit Centers. To improve its bus network, SEPTA wants to open a South Philadelphia Transportation Center. Previous studies proposed two potential locations, but SEPTA hopes to build a center at Pier 70 and South Front Street, connecting seven routes.
• More Bus Lanes. After the success of SEPTA’s red bus lanes (and on-board camera enforcement) in Center City, the agency wants to add 25 miles of bus lanes around the city. Traffic signals would also give buses priority.
• A New Subway? While there are some hurdles to making the Roosevelt Boulevard Subway a reality, the Accelerate plan does include a map with possible rail expansions, including to Northeast Philadelphia and the Navy Yard.
• What’s The Timeline? The Reimaging Regional Rail master plan schedules its proposed improvements in phases between 2030 and 2055, with early action beginning in the next four years. Trolley modernization is already underway with project updates available here.

Learn more about SEPTA’s plan here. Need tips on how to best ride SEPTA? Here are our recommendations to make your commute smooth.

City Council Examines Drag Shows, Museum Closure as Election Season Nears

Councilmember Rue Landau introduced legislation to update the zoning code so that venues that host drag shows aren’t grouped with strip clubs. Plus, lawmakers plan to hold a hearing looking into the Academy of Natural Science’s imminent closure and demanding accountability from affiliate Drexel University. [🎧 City Cast Philly]

Prices at the Pump Aren’t the Only Costs Rising

Consumers could see higher prices at local restaurants as increased transportation costs are making food and supply deliveries more expensive. With certain ingredients no longer in season in the region, restaurant owners have to order from farther away, and are considering raising menu prices to make back the losses. [CBS Philly]

What Can Help Philly Reach Zero Traffic Deaths?

Philly outpaces its peer cities in traffic-related deaths, but drunk driving isn’t the number one cause. Speeding, hit-and-runs, and driving-at-night have factored into fatal crashes. The city’s expansion of automated enforcement cameras and traffic calming measures may help turn the tide. [The Conversation]

It’s Time To Invest in a Bin (and Lid)

After the Center City Residents’ Association cut its sidewalk cleaning program, there was an uptick in litter without the initiative’s support. The likely culprit? Improperly contained recycling. [Fitler Focus]

• Related: What are other cities doing that we can borrow to make our recycling days more efficient? [🎧 City Cast Philly]

Former PPD Headquarters Sits Empty Four Years Later

Despite community desires to repurpose the Roundhouse for education, healthcare, or housing, no plans have come to fruition since the police department moved out in 2022. The Preservation Alliance previously presented promising proposals at a symposium, but no one from the Parker administration attended, leaving this empty building looming over Chinatown and Old City. [KYW]

We’re back with another “Where Is It?” challenge, our game where you name the location of street art and landmarks around the city.

Do you recognize where this artwork is?

🏆 Congrats to Karen from Olde Kensington for correctly identifying the location of last week’s “Where Is It?” challenge. The painted pillars are at the DIY skatepark at 9th and Poplar Streets. Some murals on the underpass’s pillar depict community leaders of the past and present, and community members who have died.