FAQ October 2023
What is happening with SEPTA's lettered routes?
Moving forward, SEPTA bus routes will only use numbers in their name. As part of the Wayfinding Master Plan, SEPTA is shifting towards using letters to refer to SEPTA's rail services only. This means bus routes can only use numbers. Here's how the lettered routes are changing.
- Five lettered routes are simply being renamed: Route G (now Route 63), Route XH (now Route 81), Route J (now Route 41), Route L (new Route 51), and Route R (Route 82).
- Route H is being renamed and rerouted to Wissahickon Transit Center: Route XH's new name is Route 81.
- Segments of Route K will be replaced by other existing routes: West of Broad Street, Route K is being replaced by Route 51 (L) and Route 65. East of Broad Street, Route K is being replaced by new Route 72 and Route 26 (which is being redesigned to follow Route K's existing alignment).
Click below for more information on what's happening to SEPTA's lettered routes:
| Existing Lettered Route | New Route Name | Learn More |
|---|---|---|
| Route G | Route 63 | Route 63 |
| Route H | Route 71 | Route 71 |
| Route J | Route 41 | Route 41 |
| Route K | Discontinued and replaced with Route 26 and Route 65 |
Route 26 Route 65 |
| Route L | Route 51 | Route 51 |
| Route R | Route 82 | Route 82 |
| Route XH | Route 81 | Route 81 |
What is SEPTA On-Demand Service and why is it replacing some routes in the suburbs?
SEPTA On-Demand service will replace nine suburban bus routes that don't low ridership and infrequent service. If you are within a SEPTA On-Demand zone, you will be able to use a mobile app or call SEPTA to schedule a ride. A SEPTA On-Demand vehicle will pick you up near your location and you can travel anywhere within a zone, including to a SEPTA bus or rail stop or to a transit center.
SEPTA On-Demand Facts:
- Zone-based service allows you to travel anywhere, point-to-point within each zone.
- Each zone has one or more connections to fixed route bus to reach SEPTA transit centers.
- Some zones connect to Regional Rail stations to allow for additional multi-modal travel.
- 3O-minute response time from trip request.
- Will use smaller vehicles that are comfortable and accessible for most riders.
Click below for more information about the 9 routes that are being replaced by SEPTA On-Demand service:
| Existing Route Being Replaced | New Microtransit Zone Name(s) | Learn More |
|---|---|---|
| Route 90 | Norristown On-Demand | Norristown On-Demand |
| Route 92 | Paoli-Great Valley On-Demand West Chester-Malvern On-Demand |
Paoli-Great Valley On-Demand West Chester-Malvern On-Demand |
| Route 120 | Cheyney University-Painters Crossing On-Demand | Cheyney University-Painters Crossing On-Demand |
| Route 128 | Bristol-Croydon Cornwells Heights On-Demand Levittown-Bristol On-Demand |
Bristol-Croydon Cornwells Heights On-Demand Levittown-Bristol On-Demand |
| Route 132 | Lansdale-Telford On-Demand | Lansdale-Telford On-Demand |
| Route 133 | Bristol-Croydon-Cornwells Heights On-Demand | Bristol-Croydon-Cornwells Heights On-Demand |
| Route 139 | Phoenixville-Spring City-Limerick On-Demand | Phoenixville-Spring City-Limerick On-Demand |
| Route 204 | Paoli-Great Valley On-Demand West Chester-Malvern On-Demand |
Paoli-Great Valley On-Demand West Chester-Malvern On-Demand |
| Route 206 | Paoli-Great Valley On-Demand | Paoli-Great Valley On-Demand |
What's next for the Bus Revolution?
The public hearings for SEPTA Forward: Bus Revolution ended in September. An independent hearing examiner is reviewing the testimony received and will give directions to SEPTA regarding next steps for the Bus Revolution. This may require another round of changes and updates to individual bus routes and parts of the bus network.
SEPTA hopes to be able to respond to this direction and update the bus network by the end of the year so implementation of the recommendations can begin in fall 2024.
Bus Revolution Implementation Timeline
