SEPTA to resume regular schedules on most city transit

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — SEPTA will resume regular schedules on most of its buses, trolleys and subways starting May 17 and 18.

Service will return for trolleys, the Market-Frankford and Broad Street lines, the Norristown High Speed Line, and most buses.

Bus Routes 204, 310, 311, and LUCY Gold and Green routes will continue to operate on a reduced schedule. Route 91 remains suspended.

-- Beginning Sunday, May 17, we're bringing back regular schedules for most #SEPTA Transit Service. This includes service on Bus/Trolley Routes and Night Owl Service on the Broad Street & Market-Frankford Lines. More info here: https://t.co/Kzk7lZankL. #ISEPTAPHILLY #InItTogether pic.twitter.com/Lk9t23HeCF

— ISEPTAPHILLY (@SEPTAPHILLY) May 8, 2020

Social distancing efforts will still be in effect, with specific limits on the amount of people riding at any given time. SEPTA is mandating a maximum of 20 riders on 40-foot buses; 30 riders on 60-foot buses; 25 on trolleys; 30 on the Norristown High Speed Line; and 10 riders on the reduced bus routes.

Commuters are encouraged to wear face coverings while riding. SEPTA still emphasizes customers to limit travel for essential trips only.

SEPTA General Manager Leslie Richards added in a statement: “While we are preparing for an eventual increase in ridership, service will continue to be available for essential travel only until further notice. If you do not need to get to work or access life-sustaining services, please do your part to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by staying off the system.”

SEPTA said the return to regular schedules is an effort to prepare for the region's eventual reopening, and improve conditions for essential travelers.

SEPTA did not mention service to Regional Rail lines, which remain on lifeline schedules.

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Seven SEPTA workers have died from coronavirus-related issues, and more than 250 have tested positive for COVID-19. Richards said workforce callouts continue to be an issue, and she acknowledges that the return to full service will be “far from perfect.”

Buses and trolleys

On May 18, the transit agency says it'll resume collecting fares on buses and trolleys, and riders will once again board from the front doors instead of from the rear doors.

Trolley Route 101 will operate as a bus until May 30, and Route 102 is still suspended through May 30.

The 13th, 19th, 33rd and 36th streets trolley line stations remain closed.

Subways

Only some Market-Frankford and Broad Street lines stations are open. Check with SEPTA to see which stations are open. The rest remain closed.

Center City entrances to the lines — including Dilworth Park stairs, 13th and Market streets, and Broad Street Line headhouses between South Penn Square and Walnut Street — are closed until further notice.

Entrances at 15th and Market streets, North Filbert Street, and Broad and Locust streets are open.

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KYW Newsradio's Rachel Kurland contributed to this report.