SEPTA will extend the current 24-hour weekend service pilot on the Broad Street and Market Frankford Lines through November 2. This gives the authority an opportunity to evaluate the service during the fall ridership season, and provides time to attract new riders after they return from summer vacations.
SEPTA launched the pilot on June 15, to accommodate demand for subway service among late-night riders on Fridays and Saturdays. During the pilot, trains are replacing Nite Owl buses on weekends and holidays. Nite Owl buses continue to provide overnight service on weekdays.
The pilot was originally scheduled to run through Labor Day weekend, with SEPTA evaluating factors such as ridership, security and overall performance. Extending the program into the fall – when college students come back and other riders resume normal routines – will provide the authority with a more complete picture in considering the long-term options for late-night weekend subway service.
“We’re pleased to announce the extension of the 24-hour weekend pilot program on the Market-Frankford and Broad Street Lines,” said SEPTA General Manager Joseph M. Casey. “As we move into the fall, we hope to welcome new customers who haven’t yet had a chance to use this service.”
Broad Street and Market-Frankford Line ridership has increased by 50 percent or more during these extended service hours on most weekends this summer. SEPTA’s strategic deployment of police officers on the two lines has helped ensure security for riders.
Casey noted that moving forward, SEPTA hopes to see additional ridership and fare revenue increases to help offset the operating costs associated with the program. This will be a key factor in determining whether SEPTA will be able to provide late-night weekend subway service beyond the pilot program’s conclusion on November 2.
For more information on SEPTA’s 24-hour weekend service pilot on the Broad Street and Market-Frankford Lines, visit https://www.septa.org/service/all-night.html.