The seemingly interminable saga of discovering a brand new everlasting residence for an intercity bus station is nowhere close to its conclusion. As a substitute, work is ongoing to have an interim answer in place for the historic celebrations and occasions of 2026.
However past timelines, town will not be prepared to offer extra particulars.
That was the irritating state of play after sitting by a three-hour Metropolis Council listening to wherein town offered an replace Wednesday.
SEPTA, main non-public bus firms, neighborhood associations, teachers and advocates testified after the replace. The listening to was convened by District 5 Councilmember Jeffery Younger Jr.
Interim plans
Within the preliminary presentation, John Mondlak, first deputy chief of employees in Philadelphia’s Division of Planning and Growth (DPD), spoke about each the interim- and long-term services processes.
Concerning an interim website, Mondlak stated town had analyzed 120 areas recognized by a data-driven strategy, and narrowed it down to 6 potential websites. Every of the websites is:
- Close to a SEPTA station or Regional Rail cease;
- At the least 7,000 sq. ft in measurement;
- In a position to accommodate a bus turning radius;
- Ideally city-owned or will be rapidly acquired;
- In a position to launch in time to satisfy the wants of the 2026 semiquincentennial occasions.
Nonetheless, town nonetheless wants to finish a site visitors affect evaluation for every website. “This work is underway and DPD expects for it to be accomplished in early summer time,” Mondlak stated.
Solely then will town start conversations with communities that might be impacted. This contains potential neighbors, bus carriers, and different main establishments. When will the group engagement happen? “It will likely be within the fall. It’ll be earlier than the top of the yr, for positive,” Mondlak advised Billy Penn.
Lengthy-term plans
Concerning a website for the long-term intercity bus facility, Mondlak stated on the listening to that six different areas have been chosen. They used related standards as for the interim website, with some variations, corresponding to measurement, for the reason that long-term facility must be giant sufficient to accommodate a complete operation.
Moreover, the listing contains websites which might be presently vacant or used as floor parking, each publicly and privately owned.
“Areas inside or close to Heart Metropolis with a secure and well-amenitized pedestrian atmosphere and fairly shut freeway entry have been prioritized,” Mondlak stated.
A advisor is presently evaluating the areas and can suggest one to a few choices for additional evaluation, planning and negotiation. As with the interim websites, Mondlak stated the choices wouldn’t be shared but.
“As a result of employees wish to be certain that communities hear instantly from us first, and solely after the viability of web sites is confirmed, we is not going to be naming particular websites presently,” Mondlak stated.
When will this occur? On the listening to, Mondlak stated the primary spherical of group engagement on the everlasting website will happen this fall, with a second spherical deliberate for spring 2026.
Extra questions than solutions
Council members requested a number of instances about timelines and attainable options that might be applied instantly. Metropolis representatives caught to the timeline estimates that they had already shared.
As an illustration, District 9 Councilmember Anthony Phillips requested, “How will we go from the brainstorming section to planning, to not execution? Do you will have a timeline for that?”
Mondlak clarified that the timeline is tied to the Transportation and Group Growth Initiative (TCDI) planning grant they acquired. The deadline to finish the analysis of potential websites is the top of fiscal 2026.
“Looks as if a very long time,” Phillips responded.
A succession of panels adopted. SEPTA introduced its full assist for figuring out a devoted intercity bus facility, whereas involved residents, teachers, activists, associations, firms and neighborhood teams got time to weigh in.
Some, like representatives from the Philadelphia Chinatown Growth Company and the Logan Sq. Neighbors Affiliation, consider essentially the most logical location to relocate the intercity bus terminal is thirtieth Road Station.
Sydney Rexroad, government director of the Northern Liberties Enterprise Enchancment District, which hosts the present non permanent station at Spring Backyard, expressed frustration over how the intercity bus operation arrived abruptly of their neighborhood.
Rexroad additionally criticized town for suspending the timeline for shifting the buses out of the world — from three months to probably a yr or extra — turning what was alleged to be a short-term interim website right into a “long-term interim website.”
“We respectfully request that town publicly decide to a clear course of for selecting another website, whether or not that’s in Northern Liberties or elsewhere within the metropolis,” she shared in a written letter to Councilmember Mark Squilla.
The Powelton Village Civic Affiliation Zoning Committee, Transit Ahead Philadelphia, the Heart for Advocacy for the Rights and Pursuits of Elders, and the chair of the Mayor’s Fee on Individuals with Disabilities centered on expressing what they want in a future website.
Priorities talked about included making certain the station has funding for ongoing upkeep, readability across the development timeline, bike storage, lockers, and accessibility for older adults and disabled people.
Representatives from main bus firms, like Greyhound, FlixBus and Peter Pan, additionally addressed Council. All expressed a dedication to working with town on a well timed and appropriate answer.
Peter Picknelly, CEO of Peter Pan Bus Strains, based mostly in Springfield, Mass., provided to assist fund an expedited course of.
“Lengthy-term, I feel thirtieth Road station is a superb possibility. I additionally just like the previous police station. I feel that that’s a pleasant location as nicely and I’ll develop it for you,” Picknelly stated to applause. “I’ll purchase it, I’ll pay for it and lease it again to town. And I’ll get it executed fast. I’m telling you; we’ll do it. We’ve executed it elsewhere. We’re working in Windfall [Rhode Island] to do it now.”
It was the second time the gang applauded Picknelly. Earlier, he stated: “Philly is an incredible metropolis. It’s one of the crucial superb cities on the planet. It wants a greater bus terminal. Our firm’s dedicated to Philadelphia. We’re dedicated to offering first-class transportation, however we have to do a greater job. Individuals deserve a greater bus terminal than what we’ve, they usually want a brand new bus terminal rapidly.”
Along with those that spoke, greater than 40 folks submitted written feedback to Metropolis Council members for consideration.
Belief the method
So, what’s subsequent?
In a phrase: wait.
The subsequent anticipated deadline is that this fall, when town hopes to announce the interim website choices.
After practically three hours of testimony, Younger, Jr. was the one remaining Metropolis Council member. Metropolis representatives stayed till the top, together with Mondlak, who stated he appreciated the group suggestions and understood the frustration, however the course of is necessary.
“We go to group conferences, we have interaction. That is their alternative to have a microphone and say the issues they most likely don’t assume we’re listening to. We’re,” he stated. “However I feel it’s much more difficult than anyone that doesn’t spend all their time it realizes. It’s very simple to take a look at a map and say, ‘Put it there.’ ”
He additionally expressed frustration that varied communities don’t need the station constructed of their neighborhoods, however stated that’s the truth his workplace has to cope with.
“We’ve acquired to do it proper. You actually should dig into the information. It’s important to research it, have a look at it from each angle, and incorporate all of those voices into your evaluation, as a result of all of it issues. And on the finish of the day, any individual gained’t be glad, and that’s inevitable,” he stated. “However if you happen to did it proper and included everyone’s viewpoint into your evaluation, you’re going to provide you with a greater answer.”