๐Ÿš We WON Real-Time Bus Signs / ๐Ÿ•ฏ๏ธ Saturday: Remembering Teddy Einstein / ๐Ÿซ Support Better Student Transit Access

March 26, 2026
Weekly Newsletter #18 · March 26, 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.

๐Ÿš WE WON REAL-TIME BUS SIGNS

SEPTA is FINALLY launching a pilot program to deploy digital real-time arrival displays at selected bus and trolley stops across the system.

Our advocates have been speaking in support of these signs for months at SEPTA board meetings, so we're thrilled to see that our advocacy worked.

Real-time bus information is a basic feature that should be available to everyone waiting for the bus, not just to those with smartphones.

Have ideas about where these signs should go first? SEPTA wants to hear them.

 
Read more from the Inquirer: Real-time estimates of when a SEPTA bus or trolley will arrive are coming to a stop near you

๐Ÿ•ฏ๏ธ SATURDAY: REMEMBERING TEDDY EINSTEIN

This Saturday, the Bicycle Coalition will be hosting a memorial ride and ghost bike dedication for Teddy Einstein, a beloved husband and father of two young children who was killed by a driver while biking on Baltimore Pike.

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Groups of cyclists will meet up at 9:45am in West Philadelphia (43rd and Chester) and Swarthmore (Myers and Park Avenue, Swarthmore Train Station) to bike to the scene of the crash at 10am.

There will be a pop-up intersection reconfiguration to demonstrate a safer intersection. At 11am there will be a brief ghost bike dedication ceremony, followed by cyclists biking back to West Philly and Swarthmore.

๐Ÿซ SUPPORT BETTER STUDENT TRANSIT ACCESS

We're working with Transit Forward Philadelphia to push for universal student fares and want to hear from students, teachers and family members-- share your support for universal student fares here.

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Our city's students rely on transit to connect them to opportunities across Philadelphia. To better serve them, we believe all students should receive fare cards that enable them to ride transit on evenings, weekends, and throughout the summer.

๐Ÿ‘‹ WE'RE HIRING! - LAST CHANCE TO APPLY

We're excited to announce that we're hiring a part-time Executive Director! Applications submitted by April 1st will be prioritized.

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.

Apply Here

๐Ÿ™๏ธ MORE OPEN STREETS

Center City District's West Walnut Open Streets are coming back!

On Sundays from April 5th to May 17th, portions of Walnut and 18th Streets in the Rittenhouse area will be car-free from 10am to 5pm.

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๐Ÿ“š LIFE AFTER CARS BOOK TALK

Tickets are now on sale to the general public!

Life After Cars Book Talk โ€” May 14

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.

Get Your Ticket Today

๐Ÿ‘‹ BECOME A MEMBER

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.

BECOME A MEMBER

๐Ÿšจ ACTION ITEMS

๐ŸŒณ SHAPE OUR FUTURE TRAIL NETWORK

The City is working on a new Trail Master Plan and they're looking for your feedback! They want to know how you use trails and how you think the existing trail network can be improved.  Take their survey here!

๐Ÿ“…  EVENTS

Mar 28

Remembering Teddy Einstein — Memorial Ride & Ghost Bike Dedication

9:45 AM · Clark Park, 43rd and Chester

A memorial ride and ghost bike dedication for Teddy Einstein, a beloved husband and father of two killed while cycling along Baltimore Pike.
Mar 29

DSA Job Fair

Time TBA · Location TBA

Educational programming and connections with progressive employers and labor organizers.
Apr 15

SEPTA Annual Service Plan Open House & Public Hearing #1

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM · 1234 Market St, hearing virtual via Webex

In-person only open house at 11am, followed by a hybrid public hearing at 12pm as SEPTA prepares to roll out New Bus Network.
Apr 15

SEPTA Annual Service Plan Open House & Public Hearing #2

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM · 1234 Market St, hearing virtual via Webex

In-person only open house at 5pm, followed by a hybrid public hearing at 6pm.
Apr 20

The Big Dig Podcast Live

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM · Pen and Pencil, 1522 Latimer St

Every American city is divided by crumbling old highways. Every city is trying to figure out what to do with them. Join Ian Coss, host of the Peabody-Award winning podcast “The Big Dig” – along with special guests – for a live taping about Philadelphia’s own attempts to solve that puzzle, and undo the harms of the past.
May 14

Life After Cars Book Talk

7:00 PM, doors open 6:30 PM · Resurrection Philadelphia, 123 S. 17th St

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.

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