On August 23, SEPTA will implement phase one of their new bus network, with changes to 30 lines.

How Septa’sNew Bus NetworkImpacts you

Published

You say you want a revolution? That’s not quite what SEPTA’s proposing. This weekend, the region’s transit agency will roll out the first phase of its New Bus Network, the bus system’s first significant update since the agency was formed in the 1960s.

Sound familiar? Once dubbed Bus Revolution, the project began in 2021 after transit agencies around the country saw massive declines in ridership. SEPTA’s Bus Revolution was set to launch in 2025 but faced significant community pushback and coincided with the state funding crisis that halted many planned transit initiatives. It was officially shelved in November 2024.

Two years later, a slimmed-down version of the plan has a new name and a new approach. Beginning Sunday, 30 bus routes will see changes ranging from cancellation of lines to altered frequencies. The most impacted areas are South Philadelphia, Kensington/Juniata, the Cheltenham Avenue Corridor, the Lancaster Avenue Corridor, and Roxborough.

Later phases of the plan, which will roll out in 2027, will impact other neighborhoods. The number of bus routes in SEPTA’s system will drop from the current 124 to 106 when all four phases are complete.

SEPTA says the changes are needed to modernize the system and make it easier to use.

To help you navigate the changes that will impact how you navigate the city, we’re here to breakdown down all 30 impacted routes.

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Showing routes impacted
On SEPTA's bus network

  • 4

    Broad-Pattison to Fern Rock Transportation Center

    This route remains the same but with reduced service.

    Days
    Times
    Previous
    Now
    Weekdays
    6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
    Every 16-25 minutes
    Every 30 minutes
    Saturdays
    8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
    Every 22-25 minutes
    Every 30 minutes

  • 6

    Cheltenham-Ogontz to Olney Transportation Center

    On weekdays, route 6 will have increased service during peak hours, but a reduced service otherwise.

    Days
    Times
    Previous
    Now
    Weekdays
    6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
    Every 11-13 minutes
    Every 10 minutes
    Weekdays
    9 p.m. to midnight
    Every 20 minutes
    Every 30 minutes
    Weekdays
    midnight to 4 a.m.
    Every 30-40 minutes
    Every 60 minutes

    SEPTA also rolled out new signage that identifies certain routes as “frequent red”, indicating a bus is scheduled to arrive within 15 minutes or less on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

  • 17

    Front-Market to 20th-Johnston

    Route 17 will be shortened and no longer operate on its old route from 20th Street and Johnston Street down to the stadium complex or the Navy Yard. SEPTA recommends Navy Yard commuters take route 45 instead.

    This route will also operate with reduced service overnight.

    Days
    Times
    Previous
    Now
    Weekdays
    midnight to 5 a.m.
    Every 30 minutes
    Every 60 minutes

    SEPTA also rolled out new signage that identifies certain routes as “frequent red”, indicating a bus is scheduled to arrive within 15 minutes or less on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

  • 25

    Frankford Transportation Center to Front-Spring Garden

    Route 25 is essentially being cut in half. The old route ran down Delaware Avenue to Columbus Commons. The new route will terminate at the Spring Garden Market-Frankford Line station. The old route from Spring Garden to Columbus Commons will be serviced by the new route 76.

    Route 25 will now operate for 24 hours a day, as part of SEPTA’s late-night OWL network.

    This route will also have increased service.

    Days
    Times
    Previous
    Now
    Weekdays
    6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
    Every 20-30 minutes
    Every 15 minutes
    Weekends
    6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
    Every 30 minutes
    Every 20 minutes

    SEPTA also rolled out new signage that identifies certain routes as “frequent red”, indicating a bus is scheduled to arrive within 15 minutes or less on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

  • 32

    Broad-Carpenter to Ridge-Lyceum

    Route 32 will have slightly reduced service with fewer buses overall. All route 32 buses will terminate at Manayunk, as opposed to the previous schedule where half would terminate at 33rd Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue. There’s also a slight route extension into Roxborough for school service.

  • 35

    Manayunk Roxborough Loop

    Route 35 will be discontinued on Aug. 23. SEPTA recommends riders take route 61.

    According to SEPTA’s operation statistics, route 35 is the seventh most expensive bus based on the average cost per passenger.

  • 39

    Richmond-Cumberland to 33rd-Dauphin

    Route 39 will remain the same but with reduced service on weekdays and slightly increased service on Saturday evenings..

    Days
    Times
    Previous
    Now
    Weekdays
    6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
    Every 20-30 minutes
    Every 30 minutes
    Saturday
    5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
    Every 40-60 minutes
    Every 30 minutes

  • 44

    Front-Market to Ardmore

    Route 44 will no longer run along its old route that would sometimes terminate at Gladwyne. Beginning Aug. 23, all 44 buses will run to Ardmore, with select trips stopping at Narberth.

    This route will also have reduced service.

    Days
    Times
    Previous
    Now
    Weekdays
    9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
    Every 15-30 minutes
    Every 60 minutes
    Weekends
    6 a.m. to midnight
    Every 30 minutes
    Every 60 minutes

  • 45

    Navy Yard/Broad-Oregon to 12th-Noble

    Route 45 will be extended to the Navy Yard to cover for the changes to route 17.

    After 9 p.m. the route will have reduced service on weekdays.

    Days
    Times
    Previous
    Now
    Weekdays
    9 p.m. to midnight
    Every 20 minutes
    Every 30 minutes

  • 46

    58th-Baltimore to 63rd-Malvern

    Route 46 will have increased service on weekdays.

    Days
    Times
    Previous
    Now
    Saturdays
    9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
    Every 20 minutes
    Every 15 minutes
    Sundays
    9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
    Every 30 minutes
    Every 20 minutes

    SEPTA also rolled out new signage that identifies certain routes as “frequent red”, indicating a bus is scheduled to arrive within 15 minutes or less on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

  • 47

    Whitman Plaza to 5th-Godfrey

    Route 47 will merge with route 47M and have increased service.

    Days
    Times
    Previous
    Now
    Weekdays
    6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
    Every 8-9 minutes
    Every 7-8 minutes
    All days
    Midnight. to 5 a.m.
    Every 45 minutes
    Every 30 minutes

    SEPTA also rolled out new signage that identifies certain routes as “frequent red”, indicating a bus is scheduled to arrive within 15 minutes or less on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

  • 47M

    Whitman Plaza to 7th-Spring Garden via 9th

    Route 47M has been discontinued and will now be served by a more frequent route 47.

    The merger of these two routes includes a realignment so that the northbound 47 runs on Seventh Street, as opposed to Ninth Street. Southbound buses will still run on Eighth Street.

  • 49

    33rd-Dauphin to 40th-Baltimore

    Route 49 will look very different from its old route. It will no longer serve Gray’s Ferry. SEPTA recommends riders take route 79 instead.

    Route 49 will also operate on many different roads. The most notable change is taking 33rd Street instead of 29th Street. in Strawberry Mansion and Brewerytown.

    These changes are paired with generally reduced service.

    Days
    Times
    Previous
    Now
    Weekdays
    8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
    Every 18-22 minutes
    Every 30 minutes
    Saturdays
    8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
    Every 22 minutes
    Every 30 minutes
    Sundays
    9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
    Every 22 minutes
    Every 30 minutes

  • 52

    49th-Woodland to Wissahickon Transportation Center/50th-Parkside

    Route 52 will no longer follow its old route to Gladwyne. SEPTA cites low ridership and doesn’t offer an alternative route.

    SEPTA also rolled out new signage that identifies certain routes as “frequent red”, indicating a bus is scheduled to arrive within 15 minutes or less on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

  • 53

    Carpenter Station to Richmond-Westmoreland

    Buses on route 53 will no longer follow the old route that terminated at Sedgwick Street and Wayne Avenue. Instead, service will end at Carpenter Regional Rail station. There are additionally a bunch of small differences across the route. For example, route 53 will now serve Roosevelt Boulevard. on the western side of Hunting Park.

    The 53 will also continue past G Street and extend into Port Richmond.

  • 54

    Richmond-Cambria to 33rd-Dauphin

    Buses on route 54 will have reduced service during weekdays and increased service during evenings.

    Days
    Times
    Previous
    Now
    Weekdays
    9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
    Every 15-18 minutes
    Every 20 minutes
    All days
    9 p.m. to midnight
    Every 45 minutes
    Every 30 minutes

  • 57

    Whitman Plaza to Fern Rock Transportation Center

    The old route 57 occasionally would terminate at Packer Marine Terminal, that service will be discontinued.

    During weekends the route 57 will run at a reduced service.

    Days
    Times
    Previous
    Now
    Weekends
    All day
    Every 10-12 minutes
    Every 15 minutes

    Service along Crescentville and Cheltenham Avenues will be reduced to every hour.

    SEPTA also rolled out new signage that identifies certain routes as “frequent red”, indicating a bus is scheduled to arrive within 15 minutes or less on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

  • 60

    Wissahickon Transportation Center/35th-Allegheny to Richmond-Westmoreland

    Most of route 60 will continue to go down Allegheny Avenue, but it will not follow its old route where some buses stopped on Delaware Avenue and Lewis Street.

    The 60 will occasionally take an extended route and continue to the Wissahickon Transportation Center. The schedule is roughly split 50:50 whether a bus will continue to this new terminus or stop early at 35th Street and Allegheny Avenue.

    Route 60 will also see increased service.

    Days
    Times
    Previous
    Now
    Weekdays
    6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
    Every 10-15 minutes
    Every 10 minutes

    SEPTA also rolled out new signage that identifies certain routes as “frequent red”, indicating a bus is scheduled to arrive within 15 minutes or less on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

  • 61

    9th-Market to Ridge-Summit

    Route 61 will be extended to Upper Roxborough. This is primarily to cover for the discontinued route 35.

  • 62

    9th-Market to Andorra

    Route 62 will be discontinued. SEPTA recommends riders take routes 9, 27, or 61 as an alternative. According to SEPTA, route 62 was the fourth most expensive route to operate, costing an average of $45 per passenger.

  • 64

    50th-Parkside to Pier 70

    Previously, route 64 would occasionally terminate at 49th Street and Woodland Avenue. Under the new network, all trips will terminate at Parkside Loop. The 64 will also no longer take the old route’s detour into Grays Ferry.

    Route 64 will operate at a increased service.

    Days
    Times
    Previous
    Now
    All days
    6 a.m. to 9 a.m.
    Every 12-18 minutes
    Every 12 minutes
    All days
    9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
    Every 20 minutes
    Every 15 minutes

    SEPTA also rolled out new signage that identifies certain routes as “frequent red”, indicating a bus is scheduled to arrive within 15 minutes or less on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

  • 72

    Cedarbrook Plaza to Frankford Transportation Center

    72 is a brand new route that mostly operates on Cheltenham Avenue and will run every 30 minutes.

  • 73

    Frankford Transportation Center to Richmond-Westmoreland

    Route 73 will now run at a reduced service from every 20-25 minutes to every 30 minutes.

    Additionally the route 73 will no longer be part of the OWL network, ending 24-hour service on the line. SEPTA recommends riders take route 25 for overnight buses.

  • 76

    Rising Sun-Olney to Columbus Commons

    Route 76 is a brand new route that will mostly run along Delaware and Frankford Avenues every 30 minutes. This route replaces service removed from the newly aligned route 25.

  • 78

    Express from Cornwells Heights to Center City

    Route 78 will be discontinued due to lower ridership. SEPTA does not recommend an alternative bus.

    According to SEPTA figures, the 78 was the most expensive bus to operate in their network. It has an average of 2.4 passengers per hour, costing the agency $394 per rider.

  • 79

    Columbus Commons to 29th-Snyder/40th-Market

    Route 79 will occasionally be extended into West Philadelphia. Roughly every other bus will continue to 40th and Market Streets, instead of the current terminus of 29th Street and Synder Avenue.

    SEPTA also rolled out new signage that identifies certain routes as “frequent red”, indicating a bus is scheduled to arrive within 15 minutes or less on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

  • 80

    Express from Horsham to Olney Transit Center

    Route 80 will be discontinued. SEPTA stated that “ridership has declined significantly since 2019 and the same connection can be made with a transfer on local routes 22, 51, and 310.”

    According to SEPTA data, route 80 was the third most expensive route to run, costing the agency $50 per passenger.

  • 89

    Front-Dauphin to Arrott Transit Center

    Route 89 will be discontinued. SEPTA says route 89 is “duplicative of other routes,” and offers “routes 3, 5, 25, 39, 41, 43, 53, 56, 75, 76, and K as alternatives.”

  • 105

    Paoli/Rosemont to 69th Street Transit Center

    Route 105 will extend to Paoli for roughly every other bus, essentially merging with the now discontinued route 106.

    The old route that serviced Suburban Square will no longer operate. There are also minor alignment changes in Overbrook.

    Route 105 will operate at a increased service.

    Days
    Times
    Previous
    Now
    Weekdays
    All day
    Every 30-60 minutes
    Every 30 minutes
    Weekends
    All day
    Every 60 minutes
    Every 30 minutes

    These changes will take effect on Aug. 24.

  • 106

    Paoli to 69th Street Transit Center

    Route 106 will be discontinued on Aug. 24.

Do you still have questions about the changes to SEPTA’s bus network? Read our Q&A guide for details on how to contact SEPTA, information about future alterations in 2027, and much more.

Methodology

The animating buses on the diagram are an approximation of the number of buses active at 9 a.m. on a weekday schedule.

Old routes are accurate to SEPTA’s bus network on Aug. 4.

For simplicity, if a route can have different terminuses, we show all possible paths the bus operates on.

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Staff Contributors

  • Design, Development, and Data: Sam Morris
  • Reporting: Sam Morris and Erica Palan
  • Editing: Cynthia Henry

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