The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) recently was awarded a $9.8 million federal grant to design and construct two dedicated end-of-route bus layover facilities at two locations in South Philadelphia.
“SEPTA’s bus network is vital to mobility in our city and region, connecting hundreds of thousands of riders to work, school, medical appointments, and other essential destinations every day,” Leslie S. Richards, SEPTA general manager and CEO, said. “Funding through this grant provides enhanced customer accessibility while also allowing SEPTA to invest in our frontline operators and provide them with the facilities they need to do their jobs safely.”
The proposed locations of the facilities are South 3rd Street and West Oregon Avenue and near Pier 70. The facilities would serve five east-west and four north-south bus routes and would include safety enhancements, lighting, shelters, disability-accessible bus stops with benches, bathroom facilities for SEPTA bus operators, and signage.
The nine routes provided 65,000 trips daily before the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to SEPTA, having dedicated, permanent facilities and minor route modifications would offset maintenance and rental costs and save nearly $4 million in operating costs annually.
The facilities also are part of SEPTA’s Bus Revolution, the comprehensive redesign of its bus network.