New Upper Dublin Transportation Manager Brings Decades of SEPTA Experience, Commitment to Parents and Students

Ft. Washington, PA….New School District of Upper Dublin Transportation Manager Philip Hufnagel has spent much of the summer responding in person to parent concerns and driving the streets his squad of 40 bus drivers will travel to bring students to and from Upper Dublin schools.

It all helps with his goals of building strong relationships with the families his department serves and forging a map of Upper Dublin’s residential blocks, cul-de-sacs and artery streets in his mind.

Hufnagel, 60, said he’s received many parent emails since the District’s bus schedule was released, most about bus stop location concerns. “I’m not going to email back, I’m going to take a ride out and take a look myself,” said Hufnagel. “People want to be heard.”

Last school year, the District heard from many parents who were dissatisfied with busing schedule changes made in an attempt to create a more efficient system. The District listened, and Hufnagel’s hiring and his and the District’s approach to busing are in direct response.

Students will ride to school only with similar-aged peers. The bus schedule was released much earlier this year than last year, so that any concerns can be addressed before the first day of school.

“Safe, reliable and responsive transportation is an essential District service,” said Superintendent Deborah Wheeler. “Mr. Hufnagel’s talents, experience and commitment to being accessible to parents make him exactly the right person to ensure this is what we provide our students and families.”

As the father of three and grandfather of three, Hufnagel understands that parents need to know their school district is just as concerned as they are about their children’s safety. That’s why he has been personally addressing the issues parents raise as thoroughly and quickly as he can.

He recently visited the neighborhood of a student who lives geographically within walking distance to school, but where a missing sidewalk coupled with a lack of clear sightlines around a corner would put the student at risk.

“No street map would show that problem, but when I was out there, it was very clear,” Hufnagel said. He assigned a bus pick-up.

Before coming to the district, Hufnagel worked for SEPTA, most recently as deputy director in charge of the bus depot at 27th Street and Allegheny Avenue, where he supervised 240 bus drivers and managed a service area stretching from King of Prussia to Broad Street and Washington Avenue in South Philadelphia.

Both the number of drivers he’ll supervise and the square miles they cover are much smaller in Upper Dublin, but Hufnagel said that’s not the biggest difference between his old job and his new one.

“It’s such a different type of transportation – it’s very personal,” Hufnagel said, and that’s what drew him to this job.