21 in 2021
December 23, 2021
A quick look back at some of the highlights from 2021.
Through a combined force of SEPTA employee volunteers, front line team members and local transit supporters, the crew for Mask Force Philly 😷 hit the streets (and stations) beginning Wednesday, January 27, 2021. Mask Force Philly members will be handed out cloth masks - compliments of the FTA - to those who need one (or an extra), as well as hand sanitizer, and printed "safety tips" cards that describe all the tactics SEPTA has implemented to fight the virus.
2. FTA Grants
In January 2021, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced 37 projects nationwide would receive a share of $15.8M to support strategies to improve #transit operations and enhance the mobility of transit users affected by the #COVID19 public health emergency. SEPTA, in partnership with Drexel University, received funding to evaluate air ventilation and surface cleaning in preventing the transmission of COVID-19. This project is designed to improve passenger safety and strengthen public confidence to return to mass transit during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
3. Solar Farm Designed to Lower SEPTA’s Carbon Footprint Now Operational
A stride in decarbonization in Pennsylvania was made recently with the commercial operation [beginning February 1, 2021] of a 17.5 megawatt solar farm in Franklin County, PA. The project, Elk Hill Solar 2, developed under a power purchase agreement between SEPTA and Lightsource bp, is helping advance energy and sustainability priorities for both SEPTA and the Commonwealth. The solar farm was developed, and is owned and operated by Lightsource bp.
Starting in February 2021, we began accepting Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay for in-person purchases of SEPTA Key cards or to add passes and/or funds to the Travel Wallet. With these additions, customers have the option of using their phone to make purchases at SEPTA Key Fare Kiosks and SEPTA Sales Offices - which also accept cash, credit and debit cards.
5. SEPTA Board Approves Five-Year Strategic Plan
The SEPTA Board approved a five-year Strategic Plan for fiscal years 2021 through 2026. The plan – “SEPTA Forward: A Vision for a Stronger Future” – provides a framework for the Authority’s recovery from COVID-19 and sets a vision for future growth. The purpose of the Strategic Plan is to assess SEPTA’s impact as an agency, identify the challenges that are disrupting the transit industry, and set the vision for where the Authority needs to be headed. The plan establishes a clear mission: SEPTA moves southeastern Pennsylvania forward by providing safe, reliable, and accessible mobility choices for everyone.
6. SEPTA Launches a Bus Revolution!
SEPTA announced the launch of “SEPTA Forward: Bus Revolution” - a comprehensive redesign of its entire bus network that will improve the overall rider experience and make the bus network reliable, efficient and simpler to understand and use. The three-year project will take a holistic look at SEPTA’s bus network throughout the Greater Philadelphia region.
7. Estimated Seat Availability Dashboard
For the first time ever, SEPTA customers can get a virtual look inside their bus while they are planning a trip with the Estimated Seat Availability Dashboard. SEPTA is committed to enhancing the interactive tools available for customers, and this launch is a major step forward.
SEPTA is partnered with Via - the leader in TransitTech - to provide on-demand, free late-night service for workers at growing job sites in Lower Bucks County. The new service, called “SEPTA Owl Link,” began on Monday, May 10, 2021.
Following several successful station cleaning and maintenance blitzes, SEPTA expanded the initiative to more locations. For each blitz, stations closed at 8pm on Friday through Sunday and reopen at 5am the following day. These early closures give crews a full eight hours between closing and the morning reopening to carry out work tasks. Efforts focused on maintenance, including work on elevators, as well as painting, power washing, and installing enhanced lighting and new signage. This initiative grew out of more expansive infrastructure, maintenance and cleaning efforts that started earlier this year on the Market-Frankford Line at the Somerset and Allegheny Stations.
10. 5th Street/Independence Hall Station
SEPTA completed reconstruction of the 5th Street/Independence Hall Station on the Market-Frankford Line – transforming it into a destination worthy of its location in the middle of the nation’s most historic square mile.
11. Trolley Route 101 & 102 Improvement Project
SEPTA continued a necessary improvement project on Routes 101 and 102 that includes upgrades to several track switches, the installation of new track crossovers, the replacement of track ties at select locations, and the adjustment of the trolley overhead catenary wire.
12. Trolley Blitz
Trolley Modernization is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to re-imagine one of the nation’s largest—and oldest—light rail networks to dramatically improve transit accessibility, capacity, and reliability. This project is a key part of SEPTA Forward, our plan to create a seamless transit network that empowers everyone in our region with safe, reliable, and accessible mobility choices.
The age and size of SEPTA’s trolley network makes short-term, partial system shutdowns necessary to build the inclusive and efficient transit system our region needs. That’s where the 16-day Trolley Blitz comes in.
13. Vaccines
Thanks to a partnership with Delaware County and Delaware County COVID-19 Task Force vaccinations were available at SEPTA’s Chester Transportation Center and 69th Street Transportation Center. We also worked with the City of Philadelphia to provide convenient transportation to vaccination sites.
After a successful pilot program earlier this year, The School District of Philadelphia and SEPTA announced that a new Student Fare Card will replace weekly Student TransPasses starting in August 2021.
15. Erie Station Accessibility Improvements
With the 31st anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act as a backdrop, United States Representatives Dwight Evans and Brendan Boyle announced $7.3 million in federal funding that they secured in the Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation (INVEST) in America Act to make accessibility improvements to SEPTA’s Erie Station on the Broad Street Line.
16. New Bus Route
In August, the NEW - yes new - SEPTA Route 135 replaced bus service currently provided by Krapf Route A. SEPTA Route 135 runs service to key locations for riders to access jobs, education, health care services, shopping and government offices. This includes service to Coatesville, the Lincoln Highway retail corridor, Downingtown, Exton Square Mall, Main Street at Exton, West Chester Transportation Center, and Chester County government offices in West Chester Borough.
17. Wayfinding
Responding to years of feedback from customers and advocates, SEPTA proposed a series of new wayfinding tools designed to make SEPTA services easier to use. This effort — which includes a new concept system map and name, route names, and station signage — advances a key goal set in SEPTA Forward, the Authority’s Strategic Plan, to make the SEPTA system easy to use regardless of familiarity, language, or ability.
SEPTA announced plans to develop a vision for Regional Rail through a year long analysis and public feedback process. Reimagining Regional Rail is a key initiative of SEPTA Forward, the Authority’s strategic plan, to revamp SEPTA’s services and deliver a seamless transit network to keep our region moving throughout the 21st century.
19. SCOPE
SEPTA’s Board approved measures that will bolster the Authority’s efforts to assist members of the vulnerable population who take refuge on the system. SEPTA will add social outreach workers from Merakey Parkside Recovery, Eagle Staffing and One Day at a Time, Inc. These specialists will add to teams that are already deployed on the system to assist individuals experiencing homelessness, addiction and mental illness. The new outreach workers will expand the reach of SEPTA’s SCOPE (Safety, Cleaning, Ownership, Partnerships and Engagement) program, which was launched earlier this year to help with outreach to the vulnerable population.
20. Elmwood District Celebrates Its 40th Anniversary
As a tribute and homage to the history of the Elmwood District and to the people who served and continue to serve there - SEPTA celebrated Elmwood District's 40th Anniversary. SEPTA's Elmwood District was completed on October 15, 1981 to replace the Woodland Carhouse - which suffered a devastating fire on October 23, 1975. Construction began in April of 1980.
21. SEPTA Launches Transit Supportive Community Development Program
SEPTA launched the Transit Supportive Community Development (TSCD) Program — a key initiative of SEPTA Forward, the Authority’s Strategic Plan, to support healthy, sustainable, and vibrant communities.This program will expand access to transit by shaping development near SEPTA services, leading to increased ridership, improved social equity through mixed-use and mixed-income projects, the stabilization of SEPTA’s financial base, and reduced reliance on cars. Unlike traditional transit-oriented development programs, SEPTA’s TSCD program will guide and support development along corridors with frequent transit service — not just near SEPTA stations.
And we would be remiss in not mentioning:
SEPTA is thrilled to be awarded a $15M grant through the United States Department of Transportation’s Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity Grant – or RAISE. With RAISE Grant funding, SEPTA will make greatly needed accessibility improvements to 37th and 19th Street Trolley Stations. Together, these stations provide vital access to employment, healthcare and education for residents of West and Southwest Philadelphia, and we are pleased to be making these investments on behalf of our customers and the communities we serve.
SEPTA Wins National Award for Innovation in Social Service
SEPTA and our partners Project HOME and the City of Philadelphia recently received a special award from TransitCenter, a national transportation advocacy organization, for the Hub of Hope.
And of course - there's more! In 2021, we launched the WAY TO GO campaign - aimed at bringing riders back. We adjusted schedules, held fares flat, promoted new fare options, announced FREE PARKING, decorated vehicles, hosted vaccine clinics, supported events including the Flower Show, Broad Street Run, and Eagles games, and we came to work EVERY DAY.
We look forward to a safe and healthy and prosperous 2022 with all of you!
