SEPTA Bus Service To Gladwyne On Chopping Block Once Again

SEPTA will hold a public hearing on the proposed overhaul of its bus routes, which includes eliminating service to Gladwyne.

By June Bakan, Patch Staff

Apr 14, 2026 12:41 pm EDT

SEPTA will hold a hearing Wednesday on the planned overhaul to its bus routes, which includes eliminating service in Gladwyne. (Google Maps)

GLADWYNE, PA — SEPTA will hold a hearing Wednesday on the planned overhaul to its bus routes, which includes eliminating service in Gladwyne.

Under the proposal, SEPTA would eliminate and alter certain bus routes in exchange for more frequent and direct service. SEPTA's budget crisis last summer prevented the rollout from going into effect in 2025.

Changes could go into effect this August if approved by SEPTA's Board.

Transit Impacts In Gladwyne

Two SEPTA bus lines currently travel through Gladwyne: the 44 (Front-Market to Ardmore) and 52 (49th-Woodland to 54th-City or 50th-Parkside).

SEPTA intends to reduce the 44 route, cutting service to Gladwyne. The route will continue to stop in Narbeth on select trips during peak hours, while service will continue running all day to Ardmore via Montgomery Avenue.

Limited 52 service to Gladwyne would be discontinued.

Reasons For The Cuts

SEPTA buses get low ridership in Gladwyne. For instance, the 52 attracts nearly 10,000 riders per weekday, with an average of 25 coming from Gladwyne, according to SEPTA's analysis.

Gladwyne's affluence and predominantly white demographics also play a factor, since it's not a community where SEPTA needs to consider adverse impacts on low-income or minority populations.

Shuttle Survey

Bus service to Gladwyne and adjacent neighborhoods has been on the chopping block before.

Last year, Lower Merion Township commissioned a survey about possibly developing a township-run shuttle system in response.

It was considered to help make up for expected cuts to 44's route, while also connecting Penn Valley and Gladwyne to communities like Bryn Mawr, Haverford and Ardmore.

Sixty-two percent of respondents said they'd use a township-run shuttle. Find more survey results here.

Public Hearing

SEPTA will hold a hearing on its proposals for Fiscal Year 2027 — including the bus route changes — at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the SEPTA Board Room (1234 Market St., Mezzanine Level, Philadelphia). The hearing can be accessed virtually.

An open house, starting at 5 p.m., will be in-person only.

Here's more info on the public hearing and SEPTA's plans.