Philly Launches Dedicated Bus Lane Pilot On Market St, JFK Blvd

PHILADELPHIA — The City of Philadelphia, SEPTA, and PennDOT have launched a bus-only lane pilot project on Market Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard.

Work on the project began Monday and will take place on Market Street between 20th Streets and 15th Streets and on JFK Boulevard between 15th and 19th Streets.

The right-most travel lane on each street will be converted to bus-only.

Cars will be able to cross the bus lane to access parking at the curb and to take right turns.

Market Street and JFK will remain open for traffic during construction, and protected bike lanes along the route should not be affected.

Residents may see periodic closures of the right-most travel lane and parking lane.

The project is expected to take one month to complete, pending weather changes.

The program hopes to reduce traffic along these streets.

According to the city, about half of all users of Market and JFK Boulevard get around on buses. Moe than 23,000 trips per day are made by bus.

With 13 different bus routes, there are 43 buses per hour during rush hour.

"Transit is an affordable and energy efficient method of transportation. In Philadelphia, 42 percent of African American residents do not own a car and 50 percent of households in poverty do not have a car," said Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives at the City’s Office of Transportation, Infrastructure and Sustainability (OTIS) Christopher Puchalsky. "High quality public transit is critical to addressing the climate crisis and ensuring all residents have access to opportunity."

After the 18-month pilot, the project will be evaluated for its effects on roadway safety, transit speed and reliability, congestion, and public support.

Residents may send comments or questions by email to otis@phila.gov.