Publications

Effective June 1, 2021, SEPTA will lift passenger capacity limits on vehicles that were put into place at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mask requirements for customers and employees will remain in place until further notice. 

“Removing vehicle capacity limits to meet increased ridership demand is a major step in the region’s recovery,” said SEPTA General Manager Leslie S. Richards. “We are grateful for our riders who counted on SEPTA throughout the pandemic, and we are excited to safely welcome back those who may be taking the system for the first time in over a year.” 

SEPTA’s decision to lift passenger capacity limits comes as new reported cases of COVID-19 continue to drop across the region and vaccination rates rise. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the City of Philadelphia are easing capacity-related restrictions. 

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, SEPTA has implemented protocols to enhance safety for customers and employees. SEPTA personnel have been actively engaging customers about the importance of wearing face coverings, and compliance with the mask mandate remains at a high level. The Authority will also continue with enhanced cleaning efforts for vehicles and stations. 

SEPTA has also closely examined ventilation on its vehicles and has upgraded some air filters. SEPTA’s vehicles are very well ventilated – air fully changes on all vehicles every two-to-three minutes, due to a combination of efficient HVAC systems and doors opening frequently for customers to board and exit. This rate of air exchange far exceeds CDC recommendations for indoor public spaces. 

While passenger limits will be lifted June 1, SEPTA has a new online tool that is designed to give customers information about seat availability as they plan their trips. The Estimated Seat Availability Dashboard is now on SEPTA’s website, with information available for most bus routes. This data will expand in the coming months to cover all of SEPTA’s modes of travel. 

As a reminder, SEPTA urges riders to practice safe hygiene to help prevent the spread of germs, including wearing a mask properly, washing hands frequently and thoroughly, and refraining from using SEPTA when feeling sick. For real-time service information, please visit septa.org or follow @SEPTA on Twitter. 

After 14 months of Philadelphians working together to slow the spread of COVID-19 and due to the continuing drop in newly reported cases, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) announced a further relaxation of the current Safer-at-Home restrictions beginning May 21. 

https://www.phila.gov/2021-05-11-fully-reopening-philadelphia-our-plan-for-relaxing-covid-19-restrictions/

In the wake of the murder of George Floyd in Spring 2020, Taney Street residents publicly questioned the appropriateness of the street’s name.  Named in 1858, one year after the Dred Scott Decision, it honors an individual whose actions conflict with the city of Philadelphia's values of being a diverse and inclusive city.

The all-volunteer residents’ group has worked with Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson’s staff to develop a community engagement process around the possibility of renaming Taney Street. The process was endorsed by community organizations in the neighborhoods where the street exists in the 2nd district.

Rename Taney Coalition Member Organizations: 

• Residents Organized for Advocacy and Direction (Point Breeze), 
• Fitler Square Neighborhood Association (Fitler Square), 
• Young Chances Foundation (Gray's Ferry), 
• Center City Residents Association (Center City), 
• South Of South Neighborhood Association (Southwest Center City)

As agreed upon with Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson’s staff, the next steps of the process are 

1) to circulate a community engagement report based on the engagement activities of the past year:

Read the report 

Most notably, 89% of Taney Street residents who completed the survey support changing the name. This report will be circulated through the relevant neighborhood organizations and citywide media. 

2) to conduct a survey of S. Taney Street residents and neighbors to determine the finalists for a new name that represents the character and history of Philadelphia:

Take the survey and help choose a new name

The survey will take less than five minutes.  Please complete the survey by Sunday, May 16^th.

Ultimately the decision to rename Taney Street, which has stood for 163 years, is made by City Council: A bill that includes a new name must be passed by Council in order to officially change the name.  The bill would go through a committee hearing and have an opportunity for public testimony before being brought to a vote.

The volunteer group, along with the neighborhood organizations, continues to work with Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson’s staff to establish precisely how the decision will be made. There will be continued communication and transparency in this process and additional opportunity for public input. Thank you for your participation in this process!

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine be given to adolescents ages 12-15.

https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/05/12/996185305/federal-panel-recommends-coronavirus-vaccines-for-adolescents-aged-12-15

The two key dates for Philadelphia's lifting of COVID restrictions are May 21 when some restrictions lift and June 11 when all limits, except for masking, go away.

https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/coronavirus/philadelphia-covid-reopening-business/2809967/

Over that past year, we’ve felt a deep collective grief that will forever bind us and define our place in history. While shaped by the pandemic, fear must not hold us back from realizing the immense power and potential we have together to reshape and redefine our economy. 

https://www.phila.gov/2021-05-06-why-philadelphia-and-all-of-america-needs-the-american-jobs-plan/

Last week, as documented by CBS Philadelphia, South Street and its environs was the latest neighborhood to be invaded by a plethora of ATVs, dirt bikes and motorcycles, many of which caused havoc, extreme noise and frightened both neighbors and local businesses. Hosted by  Queen Village Neighbors Association, CCRA joined with over 35 local civic groups and business districts for an urgent meeting with city officials about stopping this plague on our city, post-haste.

This online meeting took place on May 5 and was attended by over 1,100 citizens, as well as City Council members (Squilla, Domb and Green).  Also attending were representatives from the Managing Director’s office, Philadelphia Police Department, District Attorney’s office, and Streets Department. Moderated by Eleanor Ingersoll of QVNA, the goal of the meeting was to urge the city to create a fully funded action plan for curbing the abuse of our city streets and sidewalks by unlicensed and unregulated off road vehicles.

Highlights of the meeting included:

• Training and reallocation of police details to curb this city-wide problem, even with admittedly inadequate resources to effectively combat the problem.  More funding and training (police riding off road vehicles to pursue violators) is planned. 
• DA’s admission that they have made very few arrests, as there are limited charges that can be brought, serious injuries are rare, and judges tend to only give probation as punishment.
• City Council will be immediately considering clarifying legislation that will enable police officers to not only confiscate and destroy ATVs, but also other unlicensed dirt-bikes, etc.  Significant fines and penalties will also be added to deter conduct.
• Streets Dept. is evaluating use of traffic calming devises and temporary street closures.
• New federal dollars are available now.  Budget hearings are currently underway and more funds need to be allocated to deter this illegal, dangerous, and destructive conduct. It affects quality of life in the city and discourages much needed tourism.

What’s next?   It’s clear that a comprehensive plan needs to take shape.  Some new ideas - a designated play park, requiring licensing of all motorized vehicles, L&I enforcement against illegal storage facilities, cooperation on a state and federal level. More intake operators at 911 will help responders act quicker. A review of what other cities are doing to combat the problem is also ongoing since this appears to be a nationwide issue.  A citywide follow up meeting is anticipated within the next 30 days to keep the city’s feet to the fire.

CCRA will continue to push the city to create a well-funded and coordinated citywide plan to eliminate this scourge on our neighborhoods. Budget testimony has been prepared by CCRA to reflect the needs and concerns of our residents and will be submitted at upcoming City Council budget hearings.  We will keep you informed and engaged.  Let us know if you have other ideas that have not been considered…we will pass them along to our representatives.

Philadelphia sports fans will soon get to cheer on their favorite teams and enjoy a meal at one of the city's most popular venues to watch a game.

Sports fans rejoice: Xfinity Live! will reopen on May 18th (fox29.com)

[T]he Wolf administration, in coordination with the COVID-19 Vaccine Joint Task Force, announced today that mitigation orders except masking will be lifted on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31 at 12:01 AM. 

The current order requiring Pennsylvanians to wear masks will be lifted when 70% of Pennsylvanians age 18 and older are fully vaccinated. Face coverings are required to be worn indoors and outdoors if you are away from your home. In accordance with the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, fully vaccinated Pennsylvanians are not required to wear a mask during certain activities.  

Wolf Administration to Lift Mitigation Orders on Memorial Day, Masking Order Once 70% of Pennsylvania Adults Fully Vaccinated (pa.gov)

Look out for volunteer opportunities, show love on social media, and show up to town halls to sing the praises of public green space.

https://www.vice.com/en/article/qj8p7v/how-to-support-and-show-your-thanks-for-public-parks-covid-19-pandemic?fbclid=IwAR1Z46nmI1se9HWPwISEJkWMyEAv_aw8_lZNVKamfZDiA0G1f4hEXH46z2g