Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, or SEPTA for short, operates bus, trolley, trackless trolley, subway/rapid transit, and commuter rail service in the southeastern part of Pennsylvania. With service to Philadelphia, Montgomery County, Delaware County, and Chester County in PA, as well as Delaware and New Jersey, SEPTA is the largest transportation agency in Pennsylvania and the 6th largest in the United States overall.
Headquarters Location
SEPTA Headquarters is located at 1234 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19107
Routes and Service
Between the city of Philadelphia, and it’s surrounding counties (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties), SEPTA operates over a hundred bus routes, thirteen commuter rail lines under the SEPTA Regional Rail branding, and eight trolley/street car lines, five subway/elevated lines, and an interurban line under the SEPTA Metro branding. SEPTA also operates paratransit door-to-door service called “SEPTA Access.” Of all the operations, SEPTA’s bus operation is the largest, with the regional rail being the second largest.
SEPTA Bus Operations
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus Debut
City Transit Division routes are routes that operate within the city of Philadelphia. Most bus and trolley routes, as well as all three subway/rapid transit lines, operate within this division. All three trackless trolley lines also operate within this division. Route numbers for bus and trolley routes in this division typically lie within numbers 1-89. Exceptions to this are routes K, and Boulevard Direct.
The Boulevard Direct is a bus route meant to operate as a rapid transit line along the Roosevelt Boulevard, hence being named as such.
SEPTA is undergoing a massive system change with the route system, which aims to replace the current numbering. This system is called the Bus Revolution and will take place starting June, 2025.
Suburban Transit Division routes are routes that operate in Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties. Routes 90-99, 124-125, and 131 operate in Montgomery County. Routes 103-123, 126, and the SEPTA Metro D (D1 and D2) and M Lines operate in Delaware County, and Routes 127-130 and 133 operate in Bucks County. There are a few routes that cross counties such as route 92 which operates in Chester and Montgomery County, route 106 which serves Delaware and Chester County, the SEPTA Metro M lines, which operate from Delaware County into Montgomery County, and so on.
SEPTA Transit Bus Fleet Roster
SEPTA’s transit bus fleet consists of mostly New Flyer Buses, with less than a quarter of the fleet being NovaBus Built, and a small fleet of buses built by Proterra. The best way to learn details and specifics on SEPTA’s fleet such as depot assignments, and exact delivery dates, as well as use an active bus tracking system, it’s best to go on Philadelphia Transit Vehicles.
| Year | Make/Model | Image | Engine/Transmission | Fleet Numbers | Notes |
| 1970 | General Motors T6H-5306A “Fishbowl” |  | Detroit Diesel 6v71N/Allison VH-9 | 4300 | • Preserved by SEPTA • Not Used in Revenue Service |
| 1974 | Flxible 53096-8-1 “New Look” |  | Detroit Diesel 8v71N/Allison VS2-8 | 6569 | • Preserved by SEPTA • Not Used in Revenue Service |
| 2007- 2008 | New Flyer E40LFR |  | Cummins QSB | 800-837 | • Electric Trolley Bus |
| 2008- 2009 | New Flyer DE40LF |  | Cummins ISL Allison Ep40 | 8312 | • mostly retired • being replaced by 2022 order of XDE40s |
| 2010- 2011 | New Flyer DE40LFR |  | Cummins ISL9 Allison H-40 EP | 8340-8559 | • mostly retired • currently retiring |
| 2014- 2015 | NovaBus LFS 40102 |   | Cummins ISL9 Allison H-40 EP | 8600-8689 | • 8676, 8678, 8682, 8684-8689 Wrapped in Boulevard Direct Livery • Overhauled and refitted with the new Clever Devices system for onboard announcements and displays |
| 2014- 2016 | NovaBus LFS Artic 62102 |  | Cummins ISL9 Allison H-50 EP | 7300-7484 | • Overhauled and refitted with the new Clever Devices system for onboard announcements and displays |
| 2016 | New Flyer MD30 “MiDi” |   | Cummins ISB Allison B300R6 | 4600-4634 | • 4602-4617 sponsors LUCY Livery • Currently being overhauled and refitted with the new Clever Devices system for onboard announcements and displays |
| 2016- 2021 | New Flyer XDE40 “Xcelsior” |  | Cummins L9 Allison H-40 EP | 3000-3524 | • First buses to be delivered with Clever Devices • Currently being overhauled |
| 2022-2025 | New Flyer XDE40 “Xcelsior” |  | Cummins B6.7 BAE Systems HybriDrive ER | 3525-3864 | • on order • 120 option order confirmed, bringing the total new units to 340 |
| 2024 | New Flyer XHE40 “Xcelsior” |  | Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Bus | 700-709 | • First Hydrogen Fuel Cell-electric buses in the fleet |
SEPTA Access
SEPTA  ACCESS |
SEPTA Access, formerly known as Customized Community Transit (CCT Connect), is the name of SEPTA’s accessible service. This operates as either a door-to-door/shared ride service for senior riders within the SEPTA service area, or a last mile accessible ride for disabled riders. All SEPTA Access rides must be reserved in advanced, and have a 30 minute pick-up and drop-off window.
The last mile service hours parallel that of the nearby bus and Metro routes. If a route runs 24 hours a day, then there is 24 hour service within 3/4 of a mile of said route. If a route does not operate on Sundays, then service will not be provided on Sundays. This service is also limited to the city of Philadelphia, or within a 3 mile radius of the city (but within SEPTA’s service area). With this service, rides are shared and run more like a bus route regardless of destination.
Beginning in August 2024, riders are prompted to download the “SEPTA on Demand” app and request a ride that way.
Although SEPTA Access is a service owned and maintained by SEPTA, the vehicles themselves are leased to, and operated by…
- Community Transit
- Easton Coach
- Krapf’s Transit
- Total Transportation Inc
SEPTA Access Bus Fleet
The fleet consists of Ford Econoline cutaway buses with Coach & Equipment bodies. SEPTA has generationally kept the fleet within the same numbering, and replace them as-needed unlike the transit bus fleet which is replaced every 12 years. These buses are split between several private operators. Most of the fleet still wears the original CCT Connect branding, but new buses delivered in 2025 and onwards will have the “SEPTA Access” branding.
SEPTA Metro
SEPTA  Metro |
SEPTA operates many subway, elevated, trolley, and light rail lines. Until February 22nd, 2025, each line was named and labeled based on where they operate. Subway and Elevated lines were named based on the terminus or main streets of the line. Trolley lines were numbered with their original streetcar numbers.
As of February 23rd, 2025, SEPTA Metro is the branding used for all rail-bound rapid transit lines, including all trolley/streetcar, light rail, subway, elevated, and interurban services. Each letter/color represents where the trunk lines operate. Numbers refer to the specific routes, service level, or of each spur. The trunk lines are as follows:
lines are subway lines that operate via Broad Street in Philadelphia (Originally Broad Street Line and Broad-Ridge Spur)
lines are trolley lines that operate exclusively in Delaware County (Originally Trolley routes 101 and 102)
lines are trolley lines that operate on Girard Avenue in Philadelphia (Originally route 15)
lines are elevated lines that operate along what was originally known as the Market-Frankford Line
lines are interurban transit lines that operate into Montgomery County (Originally Norristown High-Speed Line)
are trolley lines that operate into a tunnel through Center City Philadelphia (Originally routes 10, 11, 13, 34, and 36)
Each of the trunk lines have individual lines, represented by numbers, which each operate their own levels of service (e.g. 
). The following sections below focus on the individual operations of SEPTA Metro, organized by operations type.
SEPTA Metro Trolley Operations
SEPTA currently operates the largest streetcar system in the United States, with 8 routes spread out over 68 miles of trackage. Under the New SEPTA Metro re-branding, these routes are numbered as follows.
Delaware County Trolleys | D Lines operate to 69th Street Transit Center, and share a trunk line that parallels Garret Road between 69th Street Transit Center, and Drexel Hill Junction Station Former Route 101 which operates to Orange Street/Media, via Springfield Former Route 102 which operates to Sharon Hill via Clifton/Aldan |
Girard Avenue Trolleys | G Lines operate via Girard Avenue Former Route 15, which operates between Richmond-Westmoreland Loop and 63rd-Girard. This line has trips that operate via Frankford Avenue to Delaware Avenue. |
Tunnel Trolleys | T Lines operate via the subway surface tunnel through Center City and University City between 40th Street and 13th Street. with the exception of  (Route 10) which operates the same tunnel but only between 13th Street and 36th Street in the tunnel. Former Route 10 which operates via Lancaster Avenue to 63rd and Malvern Former Route 34 which operates via Baltimore Avenue to 61st Street Former Route 13 which operates via Chester Avenue to Yeadon or Darby Transit Center Former Route 11 which operates via Woodland Avenue to Darby Transit Center Former Route 36 which operates via Elmwood Avenue to 73rd Street or 80th-Eastwick |
SEPTA Metro Trolley Roster
On these lines, SEPTA operates a diverse fleet of trolley cars being either built from Kawasaki or rebuilt PCC cars.
| Years | Make/Model | Image | Fleet Numbers | Used on Routes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1947- 1948 | St. Louis Car Co/ Brookville PCC-II |  | 2320-2337* | | • Rebuilt in 2003-2005 by Brookville • Rebuilt again in 2021-ongoing by SEPTA |
| 1980- 1981 | Kawasaki Double Ended LRV |  | 100-128 | | • 102 Long Term Out of Service |
| 1980- 1981 | Kawasaki Single-Ended LRV |   | 9000-9111 | | • 9013 long term out of service • 9000 and 9100 wear original 1980s livery |
| 2027- 2030 | Alstom Citadis |   | 9500-9630** | | • on order • 130 cars (with options of up to 30 more) |
Notes:
*Following Rebuilds between 2002 and 2004 by Brookville, the PCC cars were renumbered into the 23xx series and designated as “PCC-IIs”
** Fleet numbers for the Alstom Citadis are unconfirmed outside of concept art.
SEPTA Metro Subway, Elevated, and Inter-Urban Rail Operations
SEPTA also operates five subway, elevated, and interurban transit lines under the “SEPTA Metro” branding. Four of these lines operate within the city of Philadelphia, two operate into Delaware County, and one operates to Montgomery County. The lines that operate within the city of Philadelphia, are named after their primary streets of operation, but the line that operates to Montgomery County is named after the terminus. Under the SEPTA Metro rebranding, these lines are named as follows.
Broad Street | B Lines operate via Broad Street in the Broad Street Subway. All Lines Start at Fern Rock Transit Center, with the exception of most trips on the Broad-Ridge Spur  which start at Olney Transit Center. Broad Street Line Local making all stops between Fern Rock Transit Center and NRG Station at Pattison Avenue Broad Street Line Express operating to Walnut-Locust Station in Center City, with limited special service to NRG Station at Pattison Avenue Broad-Ridge Spur which operates to 8th-Market via Ridge Avenue and 8th Street. |
Market-Frankford | L Lines on the current Market-Frankford Line in Philadelphia, operating between Frankford Transit Center and 69th Street Transit Center via Frankford Avenue, Kensington Avenue, Front Street, and Market Street. The last two, western-most stations on The Lines (Millbourne, and 69th Street Transit Center) are in Delaware County. Market-Frankford Line making all stops |
Montgomery County | M Lines operate on a “high-speed” interurban rail line, which runs between 69th Street Transit Center and Norristown Transit Center via Ardmore, Villanova, and Radnor, and Bryn Mawr. All Stations between Norristown Transit Center and County Line Road Station are in Montgomery County (Hence the name), the rest are in Delaware County Norristown High Speed Line Local makes all stops. |
SEPTA Metro Subway, Elevated, and Interurban Rail Roster
For the most part, rail cars on used on interurban, elevated, and subway lines are built as either single cars or married pairs. Trains that operate on the Broad Street Lines are often mixed, as these are the only two lines that share tracks in the entire system.
| Years | Make/Model | Image | Fleet Numbers | Routes Used | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981- 1983 | Kawasaki Heavy Metro B-IV |  | Single Cars: 501-576 Married Paris: 651-699 | | • operates in five car consists on and • operates in two car consists on |
| 1991- 1993 | ABB Metro N5 |  | 130-155 (all single cars) | | • operates as double or single car trains |
| 1996- 1999 | ADTranz Metro M4 |  | 1001-1032 1035-1220 (All married pairs) | | • operates in six car consists • multiple units retired • cars 1033 and 1034 were converted to work cars |
| 2029-2031 | Hitachi Rail STS Metro M5 |  | TBD | | • on order • first to have open-gangways |
SEPTA Regional Rail
| SEPTA Regional Rail |
at Wawa Station, the Newest Regional Rail Station in the System
SEPTA also operates commuter rail services known as SEPTA Regional Rail. With Regional Rail, operations are more straightforward. With the exception of the Airport Line, ALL regional rail routes operate from the City of Philadelphia to one of the many suburbs. There are 13 regional rail lines in total, and all of them serve 30th Street Station, and Suburban Station in Center City, Philadelphia.
SEPTA Regional Rail Passenger Fleet Roster
Similar car types are often mixed between married pairs and single cars for EMUs. All Push-Pull trains operate with one locomotive, one cab car, and a mix of trailer cars. For more information is needed on these consists, use Philadelphia Transit Vehicles.
| Year | Make/Model | Image | Fleet Numbers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974- 1976 | General Electric Silverliner IV |    | Married Cars: 101–188, 306–399, 417–460 Single Cars: 276–305, 400–416 | • car 276 wears original “SEPTA/Pennsylvania Railroad” badging • cars 280 and 293 wears original “SEPTA/Reading Railroad” Badging • car 304 wears original “SEPTA/Conrail” Badging • car 401 wears original “SEPTA/Penn Central” Badging |
| 1987 | Bombardier Comet II JWC-1 |  | Cab Cars: 2401-2410 Trailer Cars: 2501-2525 | |
| 2000 | Bombardier “Shoreliner III” SEPTA-II |  | 2550-2559 (All trailers) | |
| 2010- 2011 | Hyundai-Rotem Silverliner V |  | Single Cars: 701-738 Married Cars: 801-882 | |
| 2017- 2018 | Siemens ACS-64 |  | 901-915 |
Sources: