As part of the rollout of SEPTA’s New Bus Network, we’re introducing a redesigned and updated set of travel tools to help riders navigate the system more easily. Whether you’re a longtime rider or taking the bus for the first time, these new tools work together to help you plan your trip, find your stop, and travel with confidence.
These new travel tools build on the same customer-centric approach introduced with SEPTA Metro: clear, consistent information that makes the system easier to understand for everyone.
Design Updates
Meet Frequent Red
SEPTA’s Frequent Bus Network is now shown in Red. Routes shown in Frequent Red arrive every 15 minutes or better from 6 am to 9 pm weekdays with enhanced service on weekends. Frequent Red makes SEPTA’s busiest, most reliable bus corridors easy to spot on maps, signs and digital displays, helping you quickly identify the routes that offer the most flexibility.
Why Red? Red is the most common color across transit agencies for high-frequency buses. It pops alongside our black and white “Standard” routes; like SEPTA Metro services, now SEPTA’s Frequent Bus routes have their own color.
New Symbols and Icons
SEPTA’s bus network is now universally identified with a black and white bus inside of a circle, parallel to the Metro network’s symbol. You’ll notice this icon used throughout our travel tools to identify the Bus Network.
Each bus route number now lives inside of an oval “pill” shape. Like the square used for Metro lines, this oval is another visual cue that the route is a bus.
New Bus Stop Signs
Every bus stop will feature a new sign that’s easier to find and understand.
New signs will include:
- Reflective SEPTA Bus Symbol that makes your stop easier to find and improves safety after dark
- Name of the stop clearly identified – not just the Stop ID — to help with navigation
- More detailed information when a bus has multiple possible destinations, matching the signs on the front of the bus
- Clearer and more standardized typography, symbols and organization, matching maps, schedules and digital tools
New permanent bus stop signs will be installed gradually as the New Bus Network rolls out. New signs installed this summer before the New Bus Network Phase 1 begins on August 23 may be temporarily covered until August 23. In the interim, Transitional Advisory signs will help riders navigate.
Transitional Advisory Signs
If your route will be changing in Phase 1 of the New Bus Network, advisory signage at your stop will be posted in advance of the changes going into effect beginning August 23, 2026.
- The top of the sign, in black, shows current (pre-Phase 1) service at the stop.
- The red title tells you what date the changes are going into effect. Most changes are happening on Sunday, August 23, but a few go into effect on Monday, August 24.
- The middle of the sign, in white, explains any changes happening to buses at that stop. Changes are categorized into four types.
Routing Change – The places where your route goes are changing.
Frequency Change – Your route may come more often, or less often.
New Route – This route is being added to the system.
Discontinued Route – This route is being removed from the system.
- If a route at that stop has no major changes, it is listed at the bottom of the white section.
New Bus Maps
SEPTA’s new bus maps are designed around how you travel. They are separated into three maps that show how the Bus network connects with Metro and Regional Rail across Southeastern Pennsylvania. These maps include:
- All bus routes, both frequent (red) and standard (black)
- Clear connections between SEPTA Bus, Metro, Regional Rail and other services
- Consistent colors, symbols and terminology
SEPTA’s three regional transit maps.
Click to enlarge.
SEPTA’s three regional transit maps.
Click to enlarge.
SEPTA’s three regional transit maps.
Click to enlarge.
Digital Screens
SEPTA is expanding and improving the quality and availability of its real-time travel information. As we roll out the New Bus Network, we are adding new places to find real-time bus information and improving the designs of existing tools.
- In partnership with the City of Philadelphia, digital screens on bus shelters now match the design of other bus travel tools.
- SEPTA is piloting 10 solar-powered e-Paper arrival displays throughout the bus network in locations difficult to serve with traditional screens. Use the QR code on the screens to provide feedback on this pilot.
One Connected System
As SEPTA’s New Bus Network rolls out across the region, these new maps, signs, and design updates will help create a more connected, accessible and welcoming bus network for everyone.
Please share your feedback with us so we can continue to develop tools and refine our service enhancements to benefit you.