Philadelphia Waterfront Transit Expansion Alternatives

The Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO), a subsidiary of the Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA), is evaluating alternatives to expand transit services along Philadelphia’s Waterfront.  The alternatives are being evaluated as part of an Alternatives Analysis (AA), the first step in the Federal Transit Administration’s Planning Process. This Alternatives Analysis was preceded by the Southern New Jersey to Philadelphia Transit Study (October 2005) which strongly recommended increased rail transit in this corridor.

The following alternatives are currently under consideration:

• Alternative PA-1 would add an above ground transit service along the Waterfront with a connection to PATCO services at Franklin Square.

• Alternative PA-1 Extended proposes to extend SEPTA’s Subway-Surface Lines to Franklin Square via subway under Arch and Cherry Streets.  The route would continue to the Waterfront. 

• Alternative PA-2 would extend the Subway-Surface route along or under Market Street to the Waterfront.

• Alternative PA-3 would add an above ground transit service along the Waterfront via a connection to PATCO services at Franklin Square and operate as a loop using 7th Street, Cherry Street, 8th Street and Filbert Street with a connection to the Market East Concourse.

(Click Here to View Candidate Alternatives.)

Public support for better transit options along Philadelphia’s Waterfront was a conclusion of the recently-completed PlanPhilly, A Civic Vision of the Middle Delaware.

Public input is critical to the success of this Alternatives Analysis. Three rounds of Public Open Houses will be conducted throughout the duration of this study. The first round of Public Open Houses were held in January 2008. The second round is anticipated to occur in June 2008 and the third round is anticipated to occur in November 2008.

If you were unable to attend an open house, please feel free to review the alternatives under consideration and let us know what you think.  This website will be updated with news and project documents throughout the Alternatives Analysis and comments are always welcome.