SEPTA is ready to launch new bus service that will connect several growing neighborhoods with University City job centers. Starting on Sunday, Feb. 24, the new Route 49 will provide direct service between Strawberry Mansion, Brewerytown, Fairmount, University City and Grays Ferry.

“The Route 49 will provide an important connection between these communities and the growing number of jobs and health resources in University City,” said SEPTA Board Chairman Pasquale T. Deon Sr. “It will also create a direct transit option between 30th Street Station and the world-renowned cultural attractions located along the Ben Franklin Parkway.”

The Route 49 will operate seven days a week and will offer frequent service intervals for customers. Peak weekday trips will run every 15 minutes, with midday service every 20 minutes and evening trips every half-hour. Weekend service will run every 20 minutes midday, and 30 minutes in the morning and evening.

The new service is being launched following extensive outreach and input from the communities along the Route 49. It will offer connections to a number of other transit options for travel throughout the city and region.

“Route 49 service will significantly expand access and mobility across SEPTA’s network,” said SEPTA General Manager Jeffrey D. Knueppel. “It will provide direct connections to 26 city and suburban bus routes, six city trolley routes, the Market-Frankford Line and Regional Rail.”

The Route 49 is SEPTA’s latest major bus network enhancement. It follows the launch of Boulevard Direct Bus service, which has resulted in an overall increase in bus ridership along the busy Roosevelt Boulevard corridor. SEPTA projects Route 49 ridership to reach approximately 3,000 on an average weekday after the first year of service.

For more information about the Route 49, including timetables and route maps, visit www.septa.org.