Philadelphia has an abundance of sights and sounds to experience off-campus, and for those in the know, Drexel’s campus is one of the most convenient starting points to reach them using public transportation.
What is SEPTA?
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority is the region’s public transit agency. To help riders navigate its broad and multimodal network, SEPTA has streamlined its many modes into three divisions: Metro, Bus and Regional Rail.
Metro covers the lettered routes, which are SEPTA’s subways, trolleys and light rail. Metro offers the most convenient way to get to Center City (downtown), far-flung neighborhoods, the stadiums and much in between.
Buses are the numbered routes operating throughout southeastern Pennsylvania in both the city and suburbs. Its routes include regular buses and “trackless trolleys,” or trolleybuses, that fill in the gaps not served by Metro lines.
Finally, fourteen Regional Rail lines — each named by destination — ferry commuters between Center City, the outlying suburbs and Philadelphia International Airport. These heavy rail trains make few stops within the city.
With all these modes, SEPTA provides one of the most robust transit networks in the country. However, there is a major caveat.
Budget crisis
After losing a major stream of state funding in recent years, SEPTA began implementing service cuts in phases over the summer.
For the fall, a 20 percent service reduction for buses and Metro took effect, and trimmed or eliminated routes entirely. A base fare increase to $2.90 is planned for this fall, as well as cuts to Regional Rail, but these are being litigated at time of writing.
Worse is in store without state funding commitments. By January, SEPTA will have enacted a 45 percent total reduction in service. Five Regional Rail lines will be eliminated, including two of the four busiest, as will more bus lines. The agency has warned these cuts could be permanent.
So, where is state funding? Transit funding has long been a political football in the state capital, and negotiations over transit and other issues have delayed the passage of the 2026 state budget, which is now three months overdue. Progress toward a compromise has been halting.
For the latest on the evolving situation, visit SEPTA’s website for the most up-to-date information on service. Schedules and maps for all routes are available online. With those in hand, here is a rundown of the essential services and destinations.
Metro
SEPTA operates two subway routes: the L (also known as the Market-Frankford Line) and the B (formerly Broad Street Line). They run east-west and north-south, respectively.
The L has two stations on campus on Market Street: 34th Street and Drexel Station at 30th Street Destinations include West Philly, Center City and Fishtown to the northeast. It is the quickest way to Center City from Drexel. A free transfer is available to the B and T lines at City Hall.
The B runs on Broad Street from NRG Station in South Philly to Fern Rock in North Philly. Destinations include Temple University, the Kimmel Center, South Street and the Sports Complex. Be mindful of the express trains that skip stops.
Lines T1 through T5 travel underground from City Hall and fan out onto surface streets in West Philly. It stops on campus at 33rd Street and 30th Street. If traveling between 33rd Street Station and Center City, all routes serve all stops by request. However, west of 33rd Street Station, the lines diverge.
When nearing your stop, request it by pulling the yellow cord or pressing the button at the rear doors. When disembarking by the rear doors, be sure to step down: the top step is a pressure plate.
Regional Rail
Regional Rail is the best way to reach destinations outside Philly. Consequently, schedules are oriented towards weekday suburban commuter travel, and off-peak service can be limited.
Regional Rail has its own fare structure, with pricier tickets to travel to further fare zones and during rush hours. Train fares can be purchased at kiosks or on the train. If you are issued a paper ticket, be sure to take it with you.
The Airport Line offers 24/7 service to Philadelphia International Airport, half-hourly on weekdays and hourly on weekends. You can view the schedules for all lines online. Be aware of express trains, and that some stations are served by multiple lines.
Bus
Buses are the workhorse of SEPTA’s network, with over 100 routes. They make up the most local form of transportation, with stops as frequent as every city block. Drexel’s campus is well-served by buses.
How do I use it?
SEPTA bus and Metro fares are $2.50, but this is expected to increase to $2.90 if state funding is not approved.
Fares can be paid contactlessly by credit or debit card, Apple or Samsung Pay or the SEPTA Key. The Key functions like a debit card. Users can load money onto the card at a kiosk, online or through the app.
There are no current advantages to using the Key over other cashless methods, but it does come with perks: showing your Key at businesses across the region can get you discounts.
The SEPTA app is available for smartphones, and contains all the schedules, maps, live vehicle tracking and fare information you should need. An alternative for route planning is the Transit app, which uses crowdsourced information to track vehicles.
Drexel offers a ComPass program to purchase a SEPTA TransPass or TrailPass at a 15 percent discount. This option is worthwhile for daily riders.
Alternatives
Amtrak and NJ Transit services stop at William H. Gray III 30th Street Station. NJ Transit buses and private bus operators depart from 30th Street and Schuylkill Avenue.
Drexel also operates campus shuttles. The Dragon Route runs weekdays from Nesbitt Hall to limited stops in Center City. While not the most direct route, it is free to students with a DragonCard. For information on the Dragon Route and other routes, download the TripShot app.
IndeGo is a bikeshare service available throughout Center City and University City.
Or, if you’re not in a hurry, Philadelphia consistently ranks among the most walkable cities in America.
Public Transportation is the Way To Go
Access to public transportation is one of the biggest upsides to living in a city, and with Drexel beside a transit hub, there are an abundance of options. With service from SEPTA, Amtrak, NJ Transit and more, there is no shortage of ways to get to local and regional destinations without access to a car.
While there is a learning curve to using public transit, remember that there are many resources to help you plan a trip, and that the drivers, conductors and transit ambassadors you’ll encounter will be happy to answer any polite questions. SEPTA is “the way to go,” and with some experience, it will become second nature.