🦺SEPTA'S NEW CAPITAL BUDGET

With the demise of KOP rail, SEPTA's latest capital budget is showing the agency now shifting priorities, and money, to acquire replacement transit vehicles and address repair backlogs.

The Inquirer's Tom Fitzgerald covered this story:

Trolley modernization will get an additional $100 million from the decision to cancel KOP rail, and $200 million more will be go toward replacing Silverliner IV Regional Rail cars that are nearly 50 years old, said CEO and General Manager Leslie S. Richards.

We are thrilled to see SEPTA accelerating long-overdue projects -- and serving more riders. Trolley Modernization, MFL car replacement and transforming our Regional Rail system are all huge priorities to improve our region's transit access.

Despite these promising steps, we also see SEPTA burning money on parking projects. The most notable of which is Conshohocken Station -- slated to cost over $48 million for 410 spaces -- making each spot over $100K! This project is an unwarranted subsidy for suburban motorists, better spent on measures to improve actual service and reliability.

We know what truly builds ridership -- dense, walkable neighborhoods in close proximity to frequent, reliable transit. Surrounding your train stations with a sea of parking is expensive and kills walkability.

Want SEPTA to do better? Join us in testifying at the Capital Budget public hearing

• Wednesday, May 10th - 10:00 AM & 4:00 PM

Sign up here and our partners at Transit Forward Philly will reach out with talking points and instructions on how to testify!

🎙️MAYORAL CANDIDATES' TAKE ON MOBILITY

The Better Mobility Mayoral Forum video is now online to see the candidates specifically discuss safer streets and better transit. Seven candidates participated in an hour of short answer and yes and no questions moderated by Daniel Pearson from the Inquirer.

The Bicycle Coalition also analyzed several mayoral questionnaires, including our own, to see how each candidate stacked up in their commitment to better mobility. Read more on the analysis in their blog post.

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

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.

EVENTS

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.

Wednesday Night Rides - April 19th
Start: Art Museum steps Time: meet by 7p, roll at 7:10p End: Fat Lady Brewing, Manayunk Length: 8.2 mi (+348 ft / -351 ft) Level of difficulty: Adventurous (hills!) Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42220995 Lights required

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.

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.

Delaware River Trail Extension - Open House
Saturday, April 29, from 2 pm to 4 pm
2443 E. Gordon St., Phila., PA, 19125
A new segment of the Delaware River Trail was recently completed between South Philly and Fishtown and is already heavily used by both residents and visitors. The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC) is now studying an extension of the trail north between Penn Treaty Park and Lehigh Avenue, including a connection to the future Graffiti Pier Park.

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

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