SEPTA Extends 24-Hour Weekend Service Pilot Program

SEPTA is extending its 24-hour weekend service pilot on the Broad Street and Market Frankford Lines by two months.

SEPTA said it decided to extend the pilot, which was originally scheduled to run through Labor Day weekend, to evaluate the impact that returning college students have on ridership. The pilot will now run through Nov. 2.

The pilot, which launched on June 15, was aimed to accommodate demand for subway service among late-night riders on Fridays and Saturdays.

During the pilot, trains services has replaced Nite Owl buses on weekends and holidays. Nite Owl buses continue to provide overnight service on weekdays.

“We’re pleased to announce the extension of the 24-hour weekend pilot program on the Market-Frankford and Broad Street Lines,” said SEPTA General Manager Joseph M. Casey. “As we move into the fall, we hope to welcome new customers who haven’t yet had a chance to use this service.”

Broad Street and Market-Frankford Line ridership has increased by 50 percent or more during these extended service hours on most weekends this summer, according to SEPTA.