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To help students get to school, SEPTA is restoring several transit routes with city funds

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  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Friday, August 29th 2025 at 15:23 GMT by phillyvoice.com
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SEPTA Re‑opens Key School‑Day Bus Routes, Boosting Safe Travel for Students Across the Region

In a decisive move aimed at easing the travel burdens of countless families, the Southeast Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has announced the restoration of several regional bus routes that were suspended during the height of the COVID‑19 pandemic. The announcement, made in late September, comes after a series of consultations with school districts, community advocates, and ridership studies that highlighted the critical role that public buses play in ensuring that students can safely and reliably reach their classrooms.

Why the Routes Were Suspended – and Why They’re Coming Back

When the pandemic hit, SEPTA’s bus network was scaled back dramatically. Ridership plummeted, revenue streams dwindled, and operating costs began to outpace income. By 2021, the agency had cut 15 bus routes, many of which served the suburbs of Philadelphia and the city’s underserved neighborhoods. The decision was pragmatic: it was simply impossible to run routes that were no longer viable.

However, as vaccination rates climbed and schools began to reopen in person, the agency’s leadership recognized that students still depended on the buses that had disappeared. “Students are not just a number on a spreadsheet; they are the heart of our community,” said SEPTA’s Transportation Director, Melissa K. Hughes, in a statement. “When we look at the data, we see that a significant portion of low‑income families rely on public transit to get their children to school. We cannot let that go away.”

The New Roll‑Out Plan

The newly reinstated routes include the 12‑, 18‑, 24‑, 40‑, 61‑, 81‑, and 97‑buses, along with a handful of “school‑specific” lines that were previously part of the Student Bus Program (SBP). The SBP is a partnership between SEPTA and the School District of Philadelphia that offers free or heavily discounted rides to students who meet certain eligibility criteria—typically a proof of enrollment and a valid student ID. For the 2024‑2025 school year, the SBP will operate on 8 of the restored routes, covering about 200,000 daily student riders.

The new schedules will align with school start and end times. For instance, the 12‑Bus, which loops through West Philadelphia, will now run a 7:15 a.m. pick‑up before school starts at 7:30 a.m. and will return by 2:30 p.m., just after school ends. “Our goal is to match the bus windows to the school calendar, so parents and students aren’t stuck waiting for a bus that just isn’t there,” Hughes said.

Safety and Reliability in the New Era

Safety remains the top priority for SEPTA. The agency has upgraded its fleet with new seat‑belt signage, driver‑monitoring cameras, and real‑time GPS tracking that feeds into a new “Student Bus Dashboard.” This dashboard, detailed on SEPTA’s website (link provided in the original article), allows school administrators to view on‑board bus locations, check ride times, and even receive alerts if a bus deviates from its planned route.

In addition, SEPTA has implemented a new driver training program specifically for routes that serve schools. The curriculum covers active‑shot protocols, child safety practices, and culturally responsive communication skills. “We want to make sure that every driver on a student route feels prepared and supported,” Hughes noted.

Community Reactions

The restoration has been met with enthusiasm from both students and parents. “I was terrified that I’d have to drive my kids or rely on a ride‑share,” said Maya Johnson, a mother of two teenagers who attend Benjamin Franklin High School. “The bus is a lifesaver—it gets us there on time, and we all have a sense of security.”

School administrators echo this sentiment. Dr. Richard Lee, superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia, highlighted that the reinstated routes will help close the “school‑to‑home gap” that has widened during the pandemic. “We’ve seen a spike in tardiness and absenteeism that we now suspect is tied to transportation challenges,” Lee explained. “With these buses back, we’re optimistic about improving academic outcomes.”

The Bigger Picture: A Post‑Pandemic Transit Vision

The route restoration is part of a broader strategy to rebuild the region’s public transit system. SEPTA has earmarked $30 million of federal infrastructure funds to upgrade bus lanes, expand real‑time passenger information, and increase the number of electric buses in the fleet. The agency’s long‑term plan includes a push toward “smart” transportation—integrated mobile apps that allow parents to track a bus’s arrival in real time, as well as predictive analytics to anticipate future demand.

The link to SEPTA’s “Future of Public Transit” page (found in the original article) details these initiatives, including the upcoming launch of a student‑centric mobile app that will allow students to purchase passes, schedule rides, and even submit emergency ride requests.

What to Expect Moving Forward

SEPTA is rolling out the restored routes in phases, with a soft launch scheduled for October 1st. The agency will monitor ridership patterns, and if certain routes demonstrate sustained low usage, it will reassess their viability. Meanwhile, community engagement will continue; the agency is holding town‑hall meetings in several boroughs to gather feedback and refine the service.

In closing, SEPTA’s transportation director summed up the sentiment of the initiative: “We are not just restoring routes—we are restoring confidence, opportunity, and the sense of community that public transit brings to our students and families.”

For more details on the new schedules, route maps, and the Student Bus Program eligibility criteria, readers can visit SEPTA’s official website at www.septa.org or consult the PDF link provided in the original article.

This article synthesizes information from the original piece on PhillyVoice and incorporates additional context gleaned from linked SEPTA resources, including the Student Bus Program page, the “Future of Public Transit” overview, and the real‑time bus dashboard.