Planning for a potential SEPTA strike

*This post will continue to be updated as new information becomes available. Check back frequently*

Earlier this month, Transit Workers Union 234 (TWU) members voted to approve a potential labor strike. The mass transit union’s contract is set to expire at midnight on Tuesday, October 31, 2023 and could impact service as early as Wednesday, November 1, 2023.

In light of this developing information, the City is encouraging residents and businesses to start preparing for alternate travel methods in case of a strike. Alternatives to public transit include carpooling, regional rail, walking and biking.

The City is also proactively monitoring the situation and will compile the most up to date resources on this blog post. Check back often for the latest.

Impacts to Public Transit

If a strike were to occur, the following services would be suspended beginning Wednesday, November 1:

Market-Frankford Line
Broad Street and Broad Ridge Spur Lines
City Transit Bus, Trolley and Trackless Trolley Routes

The following services would continue to operate:

SEPTA Regional Rail Lines
SEPTA Customized Community Transportation (CCT) service
LUCY Shuttle service
Norristown High Speed Line
Trolley Routes 101 and 102
Frontier and Victory suburban bus service

Anyone that may require special accommodations and who qualifies for CCT are encouraged to register with CCT prior to a service disruption. This service will continue to be available, but individuals must register. To find out if you qualify for CCT and to register, call SEPTA Customer Service at (215) 580-7145 or visit their website.

SEPTA has posted a complete Service Interruption Guide online.

Alerts and information will be sent to ReadyPhiladelphia subscribers (via text message) as well as posted on the Office of Emergency Management’s Facebook and X (Twitter) accounts.

SEPTA will post real-time updates online at septa.org and @SEPTA on X (Twitter).

Driving and Carpooling

A disruption to mass transit may cause increases to car traffic resulting in delays on city roadways and increased ridership on regional rail lines.

It is important for businesses and the workforce to prepare for a strike by reviewing work-from-home or carpooling options for those whose work requires them to be in-person.

Those who are carpooling can find a list of Park & Ride locations on PennDOT’s website.

Find road construction or street projects that may impact your commute.

For commuters’ and first responders’ safety, drivers are reminded to be aware of emergency response and to use caution when traveling.

Parking

Starting Wednesday, November 1 at 12:01 a.m., Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) will relax parking restrictions for no parking anytime zones and bus zones. All other parking restrictions, including no parking on crosswalks, handicap spaces, and in front of fire hydrants will remain in effect. Metered parking and other on-street parking regulations remain in effect.

Parking in the downtown area will likely be a challenge and carpooling is encouraged, if possible.

Free parking is available at all SEPTA owned lots until further notice. Parking is also free at SEPTA Regional Rail and Fern Rock Transportation Center on a first-come first-serve basis. Parking information and updates can be found on SEPTA’s website.

PennDOT offers free park-and-ride facilities next to SEPTA Regional Rail stations at the Philadelphia International Airport and at Cornwell Heights station.

Zero Fare Program

Zero Fare program participants should plan to use Regional Rail as available or CCT ADA Paratransit for cross-eligible riders during any announced SEPTA service interruptions.

All program participants that use CCT ADA Paratransit service should plan to register their CCT card with the Zero Fare program no later than 2 p.m. on Friday, November 3 for any rides in November to be covered by Zero Fare. Participants can call (215) 686-4419 or 3-1-1 or email [email protected] to register their card.

Program participants can call (215) 686-4419 or 3-1-1 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.) or email [email protected] with questions.

Indego and Biking

Indego, Philly’s official bike share program will be increasing operational efforts to ensure greater station and bike availability and providing reduced fares. Additionally, Indego will provide dedicated station support and inbound and outbound corral services at locations where increased commuter ridership is expected. Outbound corral service will include Indego staff members to assist individuals with signing up for passes and bike check-out.

Outbound Locations and times:

18th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.

34th Street and Spruce Street from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Indego will have inbound corral services where Indego staff members and vehicles will receive, check-in, and rebalance inbound bikes.

Inbound Locations:

34th Street and Spruce Street from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.
18th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

To stay informed around additional Indego service announcements:

Download the Indego app to check the real-time bike and dock availability.
Enable push notifications on the mobile app for service alerts and updates.
Follow @RideIndego on social media.

For more information about Indego, and pass pricing visit rideindego.com.

Election Day: November 7

The 2023 Municipal Election will be held on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. The Office of the Philadelphia City Commissioners want to remind voters that they can cast their vote through the mail. The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot is Tuesday, October 31 at 5 p.m., before the SEPTA contract expires. Voters who wish to use the mail-in option should not wait to apply.

Completed mail-in or absentee ballots must be received by the Philadelphia County Boards of Elections by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 7.

If you plan to vote in person, make sure to confirm your polling place location ahead of time and make a plan to get there on Tuesday, November 7. Polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.. If you are in line to vote by 8 p.m. you must be allowed to vote.

PHL International Airport

SEPTA’s Airport Regional Rail Line will operate in the event of a work stoppage; however, bus routes 37 and 115 will not serve PHL. Bus route 108 will use alternate routing to serve the Airport Business and Center, PHL and UPS via Darby Transportation Center.

For important service information and alternate travel tips to assist customers in the event of a service interruption impacting the City and Suburban Bus, Trolley and High Speed Subway services, travelers should refer to SEPTA’s service interruption guide.

For information on getting to and from PHL visit their website.

Stay informed

Tune in to local news for updates on impact to travel and transit.
For official updates from the City, follow @PhilaOEM on X (Twitter) or Facebook.

Other City X (Twitter) accounts to follow for developments, response, and service information: @PhiladelphiaGov, @PhilaStreets.

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