SEPTA plans to revamp bus network in Philadelphia with 2 new routes, additional service, some cuts

SEPTA has shared new details about its timeline for revamping Philadelphia's bus system. 

The "New Bus Network," formerly called the "Bus Revolution," is the transit authority's first comprehensive redesign of the system in its six-decade history. The goal of the changes is to make the bus network more efficient, more reliable and easier to navigate, according to an announcement from SEPTA on Wednesday. 

The plan adds service to the bus network, including two new routes and new late-night and weekend trips, SEPTA said. When the plan is fully implemented, a total of 29 bus routes will offer a trip every 15 minutes or less, seven days a week, an increase from the eight routes that currently offer that.

One of the new routes, 72, will connect Cedarbrook Plaza and the Frankfort Transit Center with an east-west ride along Cheltenham Avenue. 

The new Route 76 will provide north-south service from Crescentville to Fishtown and into Center City along Columbus Boulevard.

SEPTA also plans to eliminate multiple routes it says are redundant and less popular.

Some riders who spoke to CBS News Philadelphia on Wednesday were skeptical of the changes.

"I want them to keep the bus routes where they are," Gabrielle Nicole, of Overbrook, said.

Mayumi Burgess said she's worried the axed lines could cause problems for riders. 

"For those who solely rely on this to take their kids to and from, or to get yourself to and from work, it's going to have a big impact," Burgess said.

SEPTA leaders stressed that they're only cutting redundant routes and those with low ridership. When the changes take effect, they claim, no one in the city should be more than a few blocks from a bus.

SEPTA is set to enact the changes in phases starting this summer. 

Phase 1: August 2026 

• Add Routes 72 and 76; extensions of Routes 45, 53, 60, 61, 79, 105
• Improve frequency on Routes 6, 46, 47, 49, 57, 64 
• Improve alignments for Routes 25, 57, 49, 64, 105 
• Reduce service on Routes 4, 32, 39, 54, 73 
• Eliminate low-ridership and inefficient patterns on Routes 17, 44, 52 
• Eliminate low ridership/duplicative service in Routes 35, 47M, 62, 78, 80, 89, 106 

Phase 2: February 2027 

• Extend limited-stop direct bus service between Frankford Transit Center and Wissahickon Transit Center and Route 43 to 69th Street Transit Center 
• Implement two SEPTA Go services in Chester County 
• Implement new Route 142 in Chester County 
• Improve Routes 3, 5, 22, 33, 51, 94 
• Eliminate low-ridership/duplicative Routes 1, 30, 92, 150, 201, 204, and 206 

Phase 3: June 2027 

• Implement new SEPTA Go service in Montgomery County 
• Improve alignments for Route 95, 97, 98, 99, 131 
• Pattern reduction on Route 93 
• Elimination of low-ridership/duplicative Routes 90, 139 

The original "Bus Revolution" plan was approved in May 2024, then paused as SEPTA's financial situation became increasingly dire.

SEPTA is going to run an awareness campaign over the next five months to get riders ready for the changes. Ambassadors were already out in Center City on Wednesday talking to people about the plan, and they'll continue to do so at bus stops and transit centers around Philadelphia. 

Additional changes are expected to begin in August 2027. SEPTA will share updated maps and details at septa.org/bus.