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SEPTA, City and Community Leaders Celebrate Extension of Route 53 Bus Service Along East Hunting Park Avenue

SEPTA, City and Community Leaders Celebrate Extension of Route 53 Bus Service Along East Hunting Park Avenue

2.5 Mile Addition Provides New Service to Rapidly Growing Corridor in North Philadelphia

Category: Press Release
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Today, SEPTA was joined by Philadelphia City Councilwoman Maria Quinones Sanchez and community leaders to celebrate the recent extension of Route 53 Bus Service along East Hunting Park Avenue.

“We are pleased to offer new bus service to residents and businesses along this growing corridor,” said SEPTA General Manager Jeffrey D. Knueppel. “Economic development in this area has lead to increased demand for service. As part of our Annual Service Plan process, we conducted a thorough ridership review, and we believe this extension will help meet current and future transit needs along East Hunting Park Avenue.” It is anticipated that 90,000 riders will be served annually on the new routing.

Previously, Route 53 service operated between West Mount Airy and Hunting Park Station on the Broad Street Line via Wayne Avenue. The new extension adds direct service to a growing array of business and cultural services along the corridor, such as Concilio, the Fortaleza Complex and the Esperanza Academy Charter School.

The service extension will also enhance area travel options by providing transfers to-and-from Bus Routes 4, 47, 57 and 89 and new Broad Street Line connections. A total of 22 new stops will be added to the Route 53; the majority have been placed at signalized intersections, which reduces the potential for pedestrian and vehicle conflicts.

“SEPTA’s extension of Hunting Park Avenue’s Route 53 is enthusiastically welcomed,” said Philadelphai City Councilwoman Maria Quinones Sanchez, whose district includes the corridor. “This will provide greater accessibility to businesses and neighborhoods along the throughfare, as well as provide more travel options to and from the Broad Street Line. This route extension was much needed for those in our community who depend on public transportation.”

For additional information regarding the SEPTA Route 53 extension including maps and bilingual service information brochures, visit our website at https://www.septa.org/schedules/53-extension.html.