The City of Philadelphia announced a plan on Thursday, Aug. 28, directing city funds to restore some SEPTA bus routes. Aimed at helping students travel to and from school, the agreement allows SEPTA to “restore priority routes that were eliminated or reduced,” providing transport while alleviating crowding.

The press release read, “Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 2, service will be augmented on routes that serve a significant number of students to reduce crowding and pass-ups — the 14, 20, 23, 26, 47, 63, 67, 70, 82, T2, and T5.”

The statement continued, “By mid-September, about 10 business days, to enable students to get to school, service will be restored on the 84, 88, and six 400-level routes (452, 461, 462, 476, 478, 484). Service on the 31 will be restored from Overbrook Park to 63rd and Market Streets. A restored schedule for these routes will be published later in the month.”

The 23 bus runs along Germantown Avenue throughout Germantown, Mt. Airy, and Chestnut Hill.

In a press release, Mayor Cherelle Parker said, “We are proud that our City teams moved quickly with SEPTA to find a way to restore transit services in the areas where students are most affected by the cutbacks that started on the first day of school this week.”

She added, “Making sure that all of our city’s children and youth can get to school on time and safely is one of our top priorities. We need our students, Philadelphia’s future, to be at school learning and participating in extracurricular activities without interruption or challenges.”

Reacting to the announcement, Bob Previdi, policy director for the Save the Train Coalition, told the Local, I’m glad [Parker] is taking initiative and stepped forward. If the state were doing its job, she wouldn’t have to. It’s certainly a welcome relief for parents and students.”

Save the Train reached out to parents, asking them how the cuts have affected them and their children. Two of the parents surveyed shared their responses with the Local.

Tim Miller, one of the respondents, told Save the Train, “Our high school student relies on the train and buses to get to school daily. We now will need to drive into Center City frequently due to cuts in services for the Chestnut West line and connecting buses.”

Miller added, “We are three blocks from the train station, and the use of the train was a major consideration when moving to Mt. Airy. Fund Septa!”

Christina Jackson, another respondent, wrote, “These cuts are making the commute much longer for my family. My kids’ route to school is longer now. Since this is their first time taking the bus, it makes me feel uneasy, since the buses will be more crowded. Also, cuts will impact the times I take the train to work in Camden.”

Jackson added, “Having a disability makes the commute time longer, which makes me want to use public transportation less.”

Tommy Tucker can be reached at Tommy@chestnuthilllocal.com.