Better Bus

bus at night

Overview

Buses are the lifeblood of the SEPTA system. They carry nearly half of all SEPTA riders and make up the majority of “service hours” across our region. While our bus network is rooted in history, with many of our buses running on the same routes that started out as streetcar and trolley lines a century ago, the way we travel now has changed a lot. We are redesigning the bus network to better match how people travel, aligning services with changes to the city and region, simplify bus routes to improve system legibility, and increase operational efficiency and effectiveness through improved speed and reliability. We’re investing in infrastructure improvements designed to make service faster and more reliable and are committed to transitioning to a Zero Emission Bus fleet.

Vision and Goals

SEPTA’s New Bus Network is focused on delivering an easier to use, more convenient and more reliable bus network informed by its riders by:

bus from front

Increasing and improving access to opportunity:

Buses are the lifeblood of the SEPTA system. By increasing frequency, simplifying routes, and improving wayfinding, we make the most-used portion of SEPTA’s services better for all – allowing folks to access the entire region for work, leisure, or exploration at any time.

bus from angle

Prioritizing an intuitive rider experience through a seamless, simplified system:

A more straightforward network and less patterns means connecting within the bus network and to other modes like Regional Rail or Metro become easier, quicker, and better for our customers.

bus with riders

Creating a reliable, predictable system that people can trust:

A more streamlined network that focuses on key corridors makes expectations clear to our customers and easier to operate, making SEPTA a more pleasant experience for all our riders.

Building a Lifestyle Transit Network

As part of our 12-year capital investment program, we’re making stations accessible, acquiring new vehicles, investing in communications and upgrading services for our buses, Metro and rail to deliver on our vision of easy to use, frequent and integrated transit.

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FAQ

Unanswered questions? Please see our FAQ page.