Page updated March 2025
In February 2025, six SEPTA bus routes that were previously lettered – G, H, J, L, R, and XH – have changed to numbers. New numbers and old letters now appear alongside each other for a period of time so riders don’t get confused. In addition to the letters to numbers changes on the bus lines, SEPTA has begun using red to indicate frequent routes and black to indicate standard routes.
Why have we made these changes?
- As a part of SEPTA’s larger signage, navigation and wayfinding improvements, bus services will always have a number and Metro services will always have a letter. Learn more about that project on the SEPTA Metro site.
- We’ve been moving in this direction for a while – remember the “C” bus? SEPTA actually used to have many lettered bus routes, but over the years they’ve been switched to numbers one by one. Today, only one lettered bus remains, the “K,” which will be changed at a later date by combining Routes 26 and 65.
- These changes prepare us for any future route changes! It’s hard enough learning a new bus route, we don’t want riders to deal with numbering changes at the same time. This way, we can make sure that future route changes are easier for riders to understand once they happen.
SEPTA is making its bus network more frequent, more reliable and has begun introducing better service on nights and weekends.
The changes will take shape in phases, but before changing where any routes go, we’re making our bus network a bit clearer.
Overview
Our city and region have changed a lot in the last couple of decades. The reasons we travel, the destinations we visit and when and how often we commute have all shifted — and now is the time to update our bus network to meet those changing needs. Rolling out a new bus network for the nation’s fifth largest transit network is a massive undertaking – and it will take time to implement. You’ve most likely already seen new signs throughout the system and previously lettered buses that are now numbers.
Read on to find out what changes we’re making, why we’re making them, when you can expect them, and most importantly, how it affects you.
These updates are just one part of SEPTA’s Better Bus Initiative which includes partnering with local governments in the communities we serve and making game-changing capital investments to improve service for our riders.
Responding to Riders
Over the past three years, we’ve held over 150 in-person and 50 virtual meetings with riders about redesigning the bus network.
Through all of that listening, the most common concerns that riders shared that their bus should come more often (frequency), on-time (reliability) and provide more night and weekend options (schedules). The new bus network prioritizes service that is more frequent, more reliable, and better matches with our riders’ needs, so you can access more of our region than ever before.
Types of Changes
The new bus network will include 106 routes including 41 frequent routes, plus the addition of 6 new SEPTA GO zones (where riders will be able to request a ride and be picked up).
SEPTA evaluated each of its routes to determine how to best update the network. In the end, there are eight types of changes coming to the network:
Schedule Change – The route will remain the same, but the schedule will be updated to make buses come more often, or to adjust service for demand. Often, both will be changed to match service to when riders need it most: many routes are getting more service on nights and weekends!
Schedule Change – The route will remain the same, but the schedule will be updated to make buses come more often, or to adjust service for demand. Often, both will be changed to match service to when riders need it most: many routes are getting more service on nights and weekends!