Introduction
SEPTA Route 61 operates local service between 9th & Market Streets in Center City, and Ridge-Summit Loop in Roxborough.
Operations of route 61 is provided by Midvale (District 3) Depot.
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SEPTA Route 61 Routing
SEPTA route 61 operates local via Ridge Avenue primarily until Wissahickon Transit Center, where it then transitions to operating via Main Street through Manayunk, then via Umbria and Domino Lane back over to Ridge Avenue in Roxborough, to then terminate at Ridge-Summit Loop.
Key Transfer Points on Route 61
Route 61 has many key transfer points, including…
- Fashion District Philadelphia
- Fairmount SEPTA Metro Station
- Ridge Avenue and Girard Avenue
- SEPTA Metro G1 Line
- SEPTA Bus Route 33
- 33rd-Dauphin Loop
- SEPTA Bus Routes 7, 32, 39, 49, 54
- Wissahickon Transit Center
- Ridge-Summit Loop
- SEPTA Bus Route 9
Route 61 History
Route 61 went through many mode changes, like most of routes in SEPTA’s system, but the route itself mostly stayed the same once it came under SEPTA’s control until the 2000s. Like most Philadelphia bus routes, Route 61 started off as a streetcar line, operated by the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company (PRT). The original route operated from Main-Leverington in Manayunk to 9th-Walnut via Ridge Avenue primarily. Mostly paralelling the existing Route that operates today.
Route 61 became Philly’s Second Trackless Trolley
PTC would convert operations of route 61 from trolleys to Trackless trolleys on October 5th 1941 making this the second route to be converted to Trackless Trolley operations in Philadelphia. This would be the first and only trackless trolley line to operate in Center City Philadelphia as well. Route 61 was extended to Container Loop on Flat Rock Road on February 16th 1947. Trackless operation of route 61 would end on March 13th 1961 and the Ridge Depot would be sold off, eventually becoming the location of Strawberry Mansion High School. Route 61 would then be assigned to Allegheny Depot.
Under SEPTA, Route 61 Underwent Many Changes
SEPTA would take over PTC operations on September 30th 1968. Route 61 would continue to operate the same trips, starting in Center City and terminating at either Container Loop or Ridge-Summit until 1992, when a new express service would operate local from Ridge-Summit Loop to Wissahickon Transit Center, then express via I-76 to 30th Street Station, then local service via Market Street to 9th-Market. This express service would go on to become route 62 in 2006.
On June 19th 2011, all service to Ridge-Summit on route 61 was eliminated, and all buses would then terminate exclusively at Container Loop. Service on Domino Lane and Umbria St would be re-directed to Route 35.
Container loop proved to be prone to flooding, as many buses would end up being flooded out and emergency evacuated during hurricane season. As a result, service on route 61 would actually terminate at Main Street and Leverington Street, then deadhead over to Ridge-Summit Loop out of service for layovers starting February 22nd 2026.
As part of the new bus network, all service on route 61 now operates in service to Ridge-Summit Loop.
Roxborough Express Service, Route 61 Express, Route 62
On April 5th 1992, SEPTA would create express service on route 61 which operated local from Ridge-Summit Loop to Wissahickon Transit Center (then called Wissahickon Transfer Center), then express via I-76 to 30th Street Station, then local service along Market Street to 8th-Market L1 Station. Originally, this service was only meant to provide alternate service to riders affected by the railworks project that would take place between 1992 and 1993, but the 61 express service would become more and more of a vital service through Manayunk so it stayed as a peak hour express service beyond 1993.
On September 1st 2002, 61 Express alongside route 35 would be extended north to Andorra from Ridge-Summit, while route 9 was cut back to Ridge-Summit.
Route 61 Express was separated from Route 61, and labeled route 62 on November 12th 2006. Service to Andorra would also be restored to route 9, making route 9 and 62 run similar trips.
As part of the New Bus Network Phase 1, service on route 62 was eliminated on August 24th 2026.
Other Routes using the same numbers
The number 62 was previously assigned to a service between Mount Moriah and Darby. This service was merged into the T3 trolley which operated now Darby Transit Center and Yeadon.
New Bus Network Changes
Service on route 61 to Ridge-Summit was restored on August 23rd 2026. Route 62 Express was eliminated on August 24th 2026.
Timetables
SEPTA Route 61 is still active, and it’s best to check SEPTA’s official website for up-to-date timetables and maps for route 61. Below are historic timetables for bus routes 61 and 62. These are older, out of date scans with their effective dates shown. To see historic timetables for trolley route 62, check the SEPTA Metro T Lines Spotlight Page.
- Route 61
- 1999
- Route 62
- 2006
- 2007
- 2008
- February 11th 2008 (From the collection of Matt Ciecka)
- June 16th 2008
- 2009
- 2024
- August 26th 2024 (From the collection of Matt Ciecka)
- 2025
- August 25th 2025 (From the collection of Matt Ciecka)
- 2026
- June 15th 2026 (From the collection of Matt Ciecka)
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