CPDC’s October membership meeting began with some remarks by Center City District’s President and CEO, Prema Katari Gupta, who shared an exclusive first look at the impressive results of Open Streets: West Walnut. A CCD pilot project spanning four Sundays in September, the closure of seven blocks around Rittenhouse Square produced a 36% increase in foot traffic within the pedestrian area and a 24% uptick in foot traffic in the surrounding Rittenhouse Row area. Retailers and restaurants overwhelmingly reported positive impacts on transactions and revenue, with sales volumes increasing anywhere from 25% - 275% above typical Sunday levels. CCD will release a complete summary of the project and continue to work with the City and other stakeholders as they consider how to build on its success.  

From this look at a successful pedestrian-focused initiative, the program turned to consider mobility to and through Center City more broadly.  CCD’s VP of Economic Development, Clint Randall, provided an overview of new data around Philadelphians’ commuting patterns as well as how travel into downtown has shifted in recent years. The presentation segued into a panel of industry leaders who discussed the state of public transit funding and improvements, traffic safety and congestion, and ways in which different agencies and partners are working together to help people move around and in and out of Center City more seamlessly. The message was clear: maximizing mobility is a critical economic development strategy, with implications for quality of life, economic productivity, and the attraction and retention of residents and companies.  

   Panelists: 

• Jody Holton, Chief Planning & Strategy Officer, SEPTA 

• Richard Lazer, Executive Director, Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) 

• Kelley Yemen, Director of Multimodal Planning, City of Philadelphia (OTIS) 

Multi-Modal Mobility Equals Economic Growth: Philadelphia's Transit Landscape  

Clint Randall's presentation looked at key facts about mobility in Philadelphia, comparing the city’s transit system to others across the U.S.  One highlight was Philadelphia’s ranking for commuting without a car, where 28% of residents use alternative transportation methods, placing the city 5th among ten major cities. However, Philadelphia trails significantly behind San Francisco (36%), Washington D.C. (38%), Boston (41%), and New York City (59%). Increasing the non-car commuting rate to Boston’s 36% level could remove 100,000 cars from the road. Economic vitality depends on ease of mobility, which boosts return to office and retail foot traffic. According to statistics from the American Community Survey, denser, more transit-connected downtowns have higher rates of return to work in person.  

Since the pandemic, downtown trip activity has surged, with walking up 24%, cycling up 67%, and rideshare use up 94%. Yet, 49% of trips still involve cars, compared to 42% in 2019. Randall stressed that due to space constraints, we as a downtown must prioritize alternatives to driving. Facing a similar dilemma, Cambridge, Massachusetts, reduced traffic in their district through promoting biking, walking, and transit-friendly policies.  

Despite the rise in the number of multi-modal commuters in Center City, Jody Holton of SEPTA pointed out that “Philadelphia spends the least per capita on transit compared to peer cities.” This low per capita spending is partly the result of ongoing budget deficits faced by SEPTA.  

Transit’s Urgent Financial Crisis: Looming Service Cuts and Fare Increases 

Randall opened the panel discussion with a question on the state of transit funding: “What’s at stake for SEPTA amid its ongoing budget deficits?”  SEPTA is grappling with a paradox—while service is returning to pre-pandemic levels and transformative new initiatives are underway, the necessary funding remains insufficient. If SEPTA’s $240 million operating budget deficit remains unresolved, the agency will be forced to implement 20% service cuts and 30% fare increases by January. Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Holton described that with 700,000 daily riders—double the number of people on major highways like I-95 and I-676—service reductions to SEPTA would have a crippling effect on the region's economy, as Southeastern Pennsylvania produces 41% of the state's economic output. Rising labor and supply costs since the pandemic have further strained SEPTA’s budget.  

The agency is pursuing new initiatives such as Bus Revolution and the replacement of aging Market-Frankford (L) and Trolley (T) cars with vehicle fleets, but these efforts depend on a stable funding solution.  

A Collaborative Effort: How SEPTA, PPA, and OTIS are Improving Mobility

Making the most of things, Holton discussed SEPTA’s collaborations with the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) and the city’s Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Solutions (OTIS) to improve mobility downtown, including bus-mounted cameras to more effectively enforce the use of bus and bike lanes by their intended users. SEPTA is also implementing creative cost-neutral solutions to the “pent-up demand for transit.” One such initiative is Bus Revolution, a redesign of the bus network set to roll out starting in the summer of 2025. To obtain their goals of increased frequency, faster buses, and extended routes, Holton discussed how SEPTA collaborated with Kelley Yemen’s team at OTIS and Rich Lazer at PPA to improve bus shelters and enforce cleared bus lanes.  

With U.S. roads being twice as dangerous as those in other wealthy countries, the city must also prioritize more protective bike infrastructure. Both Lazer and Yemen discussed how their teams work together to improve bikeability and safety, noting that “a lot of the bike lane conversation is also a parking conversation.” On the City side, Yemen’s team is advocating for a two-pronged approach: legislation to remove flex loading in bike lanes without “no parking” signage and the implementation of a connected network of concrete-protected bike lanes.    

On the PPA side, Lazer’s team increased their enforcement by bike patrols, with a total of 22 officers whose specific focus is keeping bike lanes clear. The earnings from speeding and light tickets circulate back to OTIS, providing additional funding for new bike lane infrastructure. Yemen added that riders are also looking for end-of-trip facilities, such as protected bike parking and bike rooms where riders can clean up before heading into work, which can be implemented by both the City and employers.  

Lazer’s team is also working on the redevelopment of the 10th and Ludlow garage, aiming to improve the area and redesign Ludlow Street. Envisioning more than “just a garage,” PPA will focus on multi-purpose use, including potential residential development, prioritizing increased bike parking, and EV charging stations. The new garage will also involve collaborating with the City and Center City District to redevelop the alleys off of 11th Street to create a clean and safe walkway for pedestrians.  

Leveraging Technology for Transit Innovation 

Technological advancements are driving progress across Philadelphia’s transit agencies. Utilizing cutting edge technology, PPA plans to launch new projects, including a digital parking map displaying real-time parking spot availability for drivers and the implementation of bus cameras that will automatically ticket vehicles illegally parked in bus lanes. Currently in the RFP process, PPA aims to launch their bus cameras in the new year.  

At OTIS, Yemen’s team is adapting to the prevalence of Uber and Lyft by replacing parking spaces in busy retail areas with loading zones designated for deliveries and rideshare drop-offs.  

Meanwhile, Holton and her team at SEPTA are planning for much-needed Market-Frankford and Trolley line fleet replacements, introducing low-floor vehicles with open gangways to boost accessibility and capacity. SEPTA is also rolling out a new wayfinding system to make the rail network more cohesive and user-friendly. For example, the Market-Frankford and Broad Street lines will become L and B, respectively, a change that simplifies navigation, especially for people for whom English is not their first language. However, many of these initiatives depend on securing additional state funding, making it crucial for SEPTA to receive approval in Harrisburg. 

How You Can Get Involved 

In her closing remarks, Holton addressed everyone in the room: “The delegation [in Harrisburg] needs support. They need to continue to hear from you that [SEPTA’s] important.” Holton encouraged everyone to post on LinkedIn about how they use transit and to publish in newsletters describing how much they value SEPTA. Further, employers have the power to reduce driving and encourage alternative commuting, especially if parking passes are not an option. She discussed the popular and growing Key Advantage program that enables employers and large residential building owners to pass along significant cost savings on unlimited transit passes to employees and residents. Through cross-collaboration, we can ensure that Philadelphia’s transportation infrastructure continues to support the city’s economic development and quality of life.  

Interested in hearing the perspectives of other business leaders? Learn how you can become a member of the Central Philadelphia Development Corporation and attend our member-only panels.