๐ Zero Fare & SEPTA Key Advantage WINS! / ๐ฒ Pop-Up Spruce Pine Protection / ๐ New Bus Network Updates / ๐๏ธ Open Streets
March 12, 2026
Weekly Newsletter #16 · March 12, 2026
5th Square Advocacy is an urbanist organization of grassroots advocates building a coalition for better transportation, housing, and public space in Philadelphia. Thanks to our growing network of sustaining members
for making this work possible.
๐ณ๐ HUGE TRANSIT WINS!
The Inquirer is reporting
that Mayor Parker will be announcing at today's budget address that the Zero Fare Program & SEPTA Key Advantage for city workers both have their funding restored!!
This is in addition with an increase in the City's contribution to SEPTA operating and capital funding.
This is a huge win for riders and a huge win for SEPTA!
With our partner, Transit Forward Philadelphia, we have been fighting for restoration of the Zero Fare Program for low-income Philadelphians, and continued funding for the municipal SEPTA Key Advantage program. These are top-level asks in our city budget priority list, and the focus of Transit Forward Philly's week of action.
We visited multiple councilmembers at last week's advocacy day and our volunteers and organizers participated in a massive rally at City Hall.
Both of these programs saw their funding cut last year, and now they will both be around to benefit tens of thousands of riders! Advocacy WORKS!
More than a year and a half after Dr. Barbara Friedes was tragically killed by a drunk driver while biking in the Spruce Street bike lane, there is still no concrete protection
.
Join Philly Bike Action on March 21st at 9am for a demonstration
to show how concrete protected bike lanes would look and function on Spruce and Pine Streets. Coffee and donuts will be provided.
SEPTA will be rolling out the first phase of New Bus Network starting this August and they're kicking off another round of outreach events
starting with a virtual town hall webinar next Wednesday.
New Bus Network Webinar Wednesday, March 18, 6:30 PM Virtual via Teams
And next month, SEPTA will be hosting an open house and public hearing at two separate times on April 15th.
SEPTA Annual Service Plan Open House & Public Hearing April 15, various times In person at 1234 Market St, Virtual
11am: open house (in person only) 12pm: public hearing ( virtual via Webex
or in person) 5pm: open house (in person only) 6pm: public hearing ( virtual via Webex
or in person)
Center City District recently released a report
on their West Walnut Open Streets program and the numbers tell a very clear story: Philadelphians love open streets!
Here's what they found: 10,000 average visitors per event, a 27% increase in pedestrian activity compared to prior-year Sundays, a 38% average increase in sales for participating businesses, and a 26% increase in in-store foot traffic on Open Streets days.
The Executive Director (ED) serves as the chief executive and strategic leader of 5th Square Advocacy. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the ED is responsible for advancing the organization's mission through strong leadership, financial stewardship, partnership development, and operational excellence.
Know someone who'd be a great fit? Share this opportunity — we're looking for a passionate urbanist leader ready to take on Philadelphia's most important transportation and housing fights.
Thursday, May 14 at 7 PM
— Spend an evening with Sarah Goodyear and Doug Gordon, hosts of the War on Cars
podcast and authors of Life After Cars. They'll discuss the negative impacts of car-dependency and how we can build safer, more livable streets in Philadelphia.
๐ MEMBER PRE-SALE — OPEN NOW
Pre-sale tickets open exclusively for 5th Square Advocacy members. Become a member to get your ticket before the general public.
Thank you to everyone who has already joined as a member! Our members fuel our grassroots work
for a more accessible, sustainable, and equitable Philadelphia.
The urbanist advocacy group 5th Square
says that Parker's bill should be broader. The group called for the elimination of parking minimums near transit, an even larger coverage radius, and for multifamily housing to be allowed on land zoned for single-family homes near stations. "These bills are a welcome step toward more housing near transit, but their scope doesn't quite address our massive housing shortage," said Fae Ehsan
, board member with 5th Square Advocacy
.
๐จ ACTION ITEMS
๐ INTERCITY BUS TERMINAL SURVEY
The Philadelphia City Planning Commission is planning for a future intercity bus station and they're looking for feedback about three possible locations. We recommend selecting 30th and Arch as your preferred location. Take their survey here.Last chance, survey closes Friday!
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM · Corner of Spruce and 12th Streets
Join PBA for a fun morning sharing with the community how a concrete protected bike lane would look and function on Spruce and Pine Streets. Coffee and donuts!
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM · Cherry Street Pier, 121 N Columbus Blvd
This free, family-friendly gathering brings together walkers, neighbors, and partners from across the city to celebrate a winter season of exploring Philadelphia with live music from Batala Philly and the West Philadelphia Orchestra Balkan brass band.
5th Square Advocacy is a grassroots nonprofit organization driven to advance a vision for a more accessible, sustainable, equitable Philadelphia for all residents. Donations are not tax deductible.
