SEPTA School Transport Restored With City Support

Amid Pennsylvania’s state budget impasse, Philadelphia will restore critical SEPTA bus and trolley routes to help students travel to school safely and on time, starting Tuesday, September 2. The move leverages $135 million in city transit subsidies, prioritizing routes previously cut or reduced this school year that directly serve the most impacted student riders.

Routes immediately returning to regular service include buses 14, 20, 23, 26, 47, 63, 67, 70, 82, and trolleys T2 and T5, with additional routes (84, 88, 452, 461, 462, 476, 478, 484, and the 31 from Overbrook Park to 63rd and Market streets) slated for restoration by mid-September. These changes were organized through collaboration with the Transportation Workers Union, seeking to reduce crowding and missed trips for students, as well as improve safety across the transit network.

Mayor Cherelle Parker emphasized that this is a temporary fix, highlighting calls for state lawmakers to resolve the funding shortfall and prevent future service disruptions. Parents and community members are urged to watch SEPTA and city updates for revised route schedules as the city works to support students during this challenging period