🏆 SEPTA FARE WINS!
Advocacy works! SEPTA proposed two important fare changes in their recent operating budget that moves towards our long-standing fare asks to increase ridership and make the system more user-friendly.
- A Second Free Transfer
- Zone 1 + PHL Airport Regional Rail access for TransPass users
We want SEPTA to move further to fully-integrate our Regional Rail system with its transit service by accepting transfers between the modes, lowering all travel in Philadelphia to the base transit fare, and unlimited transfers within 2 hours.
Want to help us advocate for these changes at the SEPTA Operating Budget Public Hearings? Sign up here to testify through Transit Forward Philly!
You can help us make a walkable, transit-friendly city for everyone with your financial contributions. Become a 5th Square member today!
💳 EXPAND LOW-INCOME FARES
Talking about transit budget -- We are thrilled the mayor's budget proposal includes an additional $40 million to SEPTA for a low-income fare program and transit passes for all City employees.
We want Philadelphia to go further!
Sign our petition today urging City Council to approve the proposed zero-fare pilot for low-income Philadelphians and to expand its eligibility in the 2024 City Budget.
SEPTA is essential for many Philadelphians, and fares should not prevent people from accessing jobs, school, healthcare, and other services.
✅ OUR ENDORSEMENTS MATTER!
The Inquirer noted our council endorsements that cut across the noise between progressive and pro-development ideological camps.
And the special interest groups seeking to influence the election are not monoliths, either. For example, 5th Square, an urbanist political action committee, endorsed Santamoor and Itzkowitz alongside Landau, noting that their platforms aligned around road safety policy and transit access.
These candidates will best represent our mission to make Philadelphia a more affordable, accessible, equitable, sustainable, and transit-friendly city for everyone.
City Council, at-Large
- Job Itzkowitz - [Donate]
- Eryn Santamoor - [Donate]
- Rue Landau - [Donate]
- Katherine Gilmore Richardson - [Donate]
-
Isaiah Thomas - [Donate]
City Council, Districts
- Jamie Gauthier, District 3 - [Donate]
- Quetcy Lozada, District 7
- Anthony Phillips, District 9 - [Donate]
This is the power of political advocacy, and we urge folks who want a more sustainable built environment to donate, volunteer, and most importantly, vote for these candidates in May's primary.
EVENTS
Join us next week on Wednesday, April 12, for our Online Public Forum as part of the 2023 Public Comment Period for the update of the 12-Year Program. The Forum will include a presentation from PennDOT leadership and members of the State Transportation Commission, as well as a live Q&A session. Register for the Forum today and submit your transportation questions! Attend the Forum!
Wednesday, April 12, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
NW Night Rides - Wednesday 4/12
Little Free Libraries Tour! Meet at 7pm by Rose's Water Ice (Roxborough Ave and Pechin St). We'll be touring the Little Free Libraries of East and West Mount Airy. We'll stop at Mount Airy Taproom for refreshments and finish the tour on our way back.
WMAN Traffic Calming meeting
8th District Council Candidate Night - April 18th at 7pm
Councilmember Cindy Bass and Seth Anderson-Oberman will discuss their vision for traffic calming and pedestrian safety for the 8th District. RSVP for Zoom Link.
Wissahickon Transportation Center Project Informational Webinar
SEPTA is hosting an informational webinar on Thursday, April 27 from 6:00pm to 7:00pm via Webex to provide an update on the upcoming construction for the Wissahickon Transportation Center Project.
I-95 Girard Avenue Interchange Public Meetings
PennDOT District 6-0 is hosting two upcoming meetings about the next phases of the I-95 Girard Avenue Interchange project, Sections GR5 and GR6, which include the I-95 mainline and ramps from Race Street to Frankford Avenue.
Meeting #1 - April 24th, 2023. 6 - 8 p.m., Cescaphe Ballroom. 923 N. 2nd St.
Meeting #2 - April 25th, 2023. 6 - 8 p.m., Cherry Street Pier. 121 N. Christopher Columbus Blvd.
Brett H. Mandel | Philadelphia, Corrupt and Consenting
A consultant and writer in the fields of civic activism and government reform, Brett H. Mandel served as director of Philadelphia’s Financial & Policy Analysis Unit in the city controller’s office. Told through the story of the corruption case of John Dougherty and the machine politics that foster corruption, his new book illustrates the ways our inattention gives way to corrosive politicians and policies, the effects this blight has on the soul of Philadelphia, and how collective action can lead to a better city for all.
Thu, May 11, 2023 7:30 p.m. / Parkway Central Library
WHAT WE'RE READING
🏙️ HOUSING & LAND USE
🌳 PUBLIC SPACE
Gothamist /
🚌 TRANSIT
SURVEYS
PA Transportation Survey - The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is currently working on a plan to improve transportation across the state. We encourage you to submit comments that support safer bicycling and walking along with better transit service. The deadline for submitting comments is April 30, 2023
Code for Philly - One of the projects kicked off at the Launchpad event is trying to analyze opportunities to help the public better connect with Philly’s public libraries. Please take 2-3 minutes to fill out this survey and help share it out widely to diverse communities
Chinatown Stitch Survey - The Vine Street Expressway has long divided Chinatown. The City of Philadelphia wants to know what you think about building a cap on top of the Vine Street Expressway. Take the survey in English, Chinese, or Spanish
GRANTS & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Two Kensington community development nonprofits, NKCDC and Impact Services, are issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a single consultant or team to help design and deliver a training on facilitation and public speaking skills, with a focus on delivering trauma-informed content, and develop a lesson plan for recreating such a training in the future. The deadline to receive proposals is April 14, 2023. Questions can be directed no later than April 10 by email to [email protected].
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
DVRPC
- HR Generalist/Senior HR Generalist
- Procurement and Contracts Senior Specialist
- Transportation Modeler/Analyst
- Internships
Diamond and Associates / Paid Summer Internship
City of Philadelphia /
Mt. Vernon Manor CDC (MVM) / Safety and Justice Coordinator
WanderU
- Email Marketing Manager
- Head of Growth - CMO
- Data Analyst - Product and Acquisition focus
- Senior Product Manager
- Tech Manager, Core Product
Community Capacity Builders / Project Coordinator
PACDC /
5th Square is Philadelphia's urbanist political action committee.
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