SEPTA today gathered with elected officials and other stakeholders to break ground on the new Wissahickon Transportation Center, which will enhance the customer experience at the busy bus station on Ridge Avenue.
“This new, state-of-the-art transit hub will make bus service more convenient and reliable for the thousands of people in northwest Philadelphia neighborhoods who depend on buses to get to work, school, and other activities,” said SEPTA Board Chairman Pasquale T. Deon Sr.
This project allows SEPTA to expand the existing Wissahickon Transportation Center – significantly improving operations, safety, and accessibility. It includes the construction of ADA-compliant boarding areas, new signage, and weather protection. The new facility will also improve connections for riders, and provide better amenities for bus operators, such as restrooms and break rooms.
“With approximately 7,200 pre-COVID daily passenger trips, this facility has more daily activity than all but one non-Center City Regional Rail station,” said SEPTA General Manager and CEO Leslie S. Richards. “SEPTA’s bus network has experienced the largest rebound across all modes – with bus ridership reaching 70% of pre-COVID levels. As we continue to recover from the pandemic, the new Wissahickon Transportation Center will play an important role in SEPTA’s ongoing Bus Revolution.”
Bus Revolution – a key initiative of SEPTA Forward, SEPTA’s strategic plan – is a comprehensive redesign of the bus network. Together with other SEPTA Forward initiatives, such as Trolley Modernization and Reimagining Regional Rail, it promotes and strengthens regional growth and connects people with opportunity.
“This is a critical transportation center that will improve the lives of thousands of existing bus riders,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “It will allow SEPTA to extend and add routes opening up new commuter and reverse commute connections for Philadelphia residents from North and Northeast Philly to locations in West Philly, Montgomery County, and Delaware County. Thank you SEPTA for taking us one step closer to our vision of a city connected by transit.”
“Transit is an essential public service, and projects like the Wissahickon Transportation Center make it easier, safer, and more convenient for all users to access transit,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “PennDOT is proud to be celebrating this groundbreaking today, and is committed to partnering with local communities, and with transit agencies like SEPTA, to improve access to public transportation throughout Pennsylvania.”
“I am thrilled to break ground today to expand the Wissahickon Transportation Center,” said Representative Tarik Khan (D-Philadelphia). “We deserve a robust public transit system that is equipped to meet the needs of our thriving Northwest Philadelphia community. As your state representative, I am committed to creating many more projects like this that will modernize our transit infrastructure, improve the experience of riding SEPTA, and bring good union jobs to our community.”
“Today’s groundbreaking is truly a culmination of a collaborative effort between the City, state, and especially the community,” said Philadelphia City Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr. “The expanded transfer center will allow commuters to utilize a greater option of routes and destinations connecting them with jobs, educational opportunities, and leisure. Thank you to SEPTA for their vision and efforts in making this happen.”
Construction on the approximately $45 million project is expected to be completed in 2025. The work will be phased to minimize the disruption to bus service, as well as vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic. The current Wissahickon Transportation Center will remain open while the new facility is being built.
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