PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — After two years of construction, a new state-of-the-art transit center is now open for SEPTA riders in Northwest Philadelphia.
The Wissahickon Transit Center is a game-changer for riders who were used to the tiny bus loop, the Wissahickon Transportation Center. The new $50 million facility next door on Ridge Avenue and Kelly Drive is six times larger, ADA-compliant, has restrooms and a warm place to wait, said SEPTA General Manager Scott Sauer.
"Now folks can actually wait indoors and get out of the cold and wait for their bus to arrive. It really is transformational." That came in handy for many commuters Monday morning, when temperatures were in the teens.
The icy conditions were a concern, as part of the sidewalk along Ridge Avenue near the transit center wasn’t fully treated and was covered in ice.
About 11 bus routes roll through. Five thousand riders pass through the facility every weekday. Sauer said that's more than any Regional Rail station.
"Our bus ridership has been growing since the pandemic. It was the first to recover, and continues to grow today. So we're really excited about it."
Sauer said the center, which is within walking distance of the Wissahickon Regional Rail stop, is SEPTA's largest bus-only project.