SEPTA Strike Contingency Plans
Below is important information regarding Penn's contingency plans in the event of a citywide SEPTA strike. As of Monday, December 8, SEPTA services continue to operate while its workers' union remains on the job without a contract. Union representatives have stated that a strike may be imminent.
SEPTA commuters should regularly check SEPTA's strike page for real-time
Please note that transportation services operated by Penn during a public transit service disruption are intended to aid employees with their commutes but are in no way envisioned as a direct replacement for SEPTA services. Both the number of available shuttles and their respective capacity are limited. Numerous factors such as road construction and anticipated increases in traffic during the strike period may extend travel times. Commuters are encouraged to seek alternative solutions such as carpooling, biking, and walking.
PENN TRANSIT CONTINGENCY PLANS
In the event of a SEPTA strike, in collaboration with Drexel University, UPHS, and CHOP, Penn will provide free transit services to all employees, as follows:
- Penn Transit and Drexel Transportation will offer express shuttle transportation from the 69th Street Terminal and 15th and Locust Street.
- CHOP and UPHS will offer additional shuttle options serving South Philadelphia, West Philadelphia, Lancaster Avenue, and Woodland Avenue.
- The LUCY shuttle will continue normal operations, with free service for employees of Penn, UPHS, CHOP, and Wistar.
Riders are welcome to use these services for free upon presentation of a valid PennCard or Penn-provided Transit Guest pass, which will be accepted on any of the vehicles operated by the above organizations, regardless of which entity is offering the service.
What Route Is Right for Me?
Penn Transit suggests the best strike-contingency route for your commute below.
| I'm Traveling To/From | Consider This Option |
| South Philadelphia | CHOP Loop |
| Center City/Rittenhouse | Penn Transit/Drexel Loop (16th St. or 69th St.) |
| West Philadelphia | Penn Transit/Drexel (16th St. or 69th St.) or CHOP Loop |
| Woodland Avenue toward 56th Street | CHOP Loop |
| New Jersey | Penn Transit/Drexel 16th Street Route |
| 69th Street Terminal for connections to SEPTA suburban services | Penn Transit/Drexel 69th Street Route |
16th Street Route
THIS ROUTE WILL RUN ONLY IN THE EVENT OF A SEPTA STRIKE.
Use your PennCard or valid ID* to access an express shuttle operated weekdays by Penn Transit and Drexel University. The below schedule will be followed as closely as possible, with the understanding that traffic will be heavier than normal on and around campus. Track the route in real time on the PennTransit Mobile app.
16th Street Route Morning Commute
Pickup at 15th and Locust Streets; campus drop-off at 32nd and Walnut Streets AND 33rd and Ludlow Streets
- 7 AM
- 7:30 AM
- 8 AM
- 8:30 AM
- 9 AM
- 9:30 AM
16th Street Evening Commute
Pickup at 32nd & Walnut Streets AND 33rd and Ludlow Streets; drop-off at 15th and Locust Streets
- 4:15 PM
- 4:45 PM
- 5:15 PM
- 5:45 PM
- 6:15 PM
*Valid IDs: DragonCard, UPHS ID, CHOP ID, Wistar ID, Penn Transit Guest Pass
69th Street Route
THIS ROUTE WILL RUN ONLY IN THE EVENT OF A SEPTA STRIKE.
Use your PennCard or valid ID* to access an express shuttle operated weekdays by Penn Transit and Drexel University. The below schedule will be followed as closely as possible, with the understanding that traffic will be heavier than normal on and around campus. Track the route in real time on the PennTransit Mobile app.
69th Street Route Morning Commute
Pickup at the 69th Street Terminal at Market Street and Chatham Road (in front of EMG Urgent Care); campus drop-off at 32nd and Walnut Streets AND 33rd and Ludlow Streets
- 7 AM
- 7:30 AM
- 8 AM
- 8:30 AM
- 9 AM
- 9:30 AM
69th Street Evening Commute
Pickup at 32nd & Walnut Streets AND 33rd and Ludlow Streets; drop-off at the 69th Street Terminal at Market Street and Chatham Road (in front of EMG Urgent Care)
- 4:15 PM
- 4:45 PM
- 5:15 PM
- 5:45 PM
- 6:15 PM
*Valid IDs: DragonCard, UPHS ID, CHOP ID, Wistar ID, Penn Transit Guest Pass
CHOP Shuttle
THESE ROUTES WILL RUN ONLY IN THE EVENT OF A SEPTA STRIKE.
- Turn south on 34th Street, then west on Walnut Street.
- Proceed westbound along Walnut Street and terminate at 63rd and Walnut Streets.
- Stop at all even number streets to take on and discharge passengers.
This shuttle will operate weekdays from:
UPHS Shuttles
THESE ROUTES WILL RUN ONLY IN THE EVENT OF A SEPTA STRIKE.
Use your PennCard or valid ID* to access an express shuttle operated weekdays by the University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS). They will be marked with a "UPHS Shuttle" sign, which will also indicate the route. The below schedules will be followed as closely as possible, with the understanding that traffic will be heavier than normal on and around campus.
All shuttles will wait one minute at each stop. Once a full route has been completed, it will be repeated.
Lancaster Avenue Route
Runs 5:30 - 8:30 AM AND 2:30 - 6:30 PM
- 63rd Street and Lancaster Avenue
- 60th Street and Lancaster Avenue
- 56th Street and Lancaster Avenue
- 52nd Street and Lancaster Avenue
- 46th Street and Lancaster Avenue
- 42nd Street and Lancaster Avenue
- Myrin Circle, in front of the Wright-Saunders Building at UPMC-Presbyterian
- The bus stop between HUP and CHOP, on the west side of 34th Street/Civic Center Boulevard
Runs 10:30 PM - 1:30 AM
- The bus stop between HUP and CHOP, on the west side of 34th Street/Civic Center Boulevard
- Myrin Circle, in front of the Wright-Saunders Building at UPMC-Presbyterian
- 42nd Street and Lancaster Avenue
- 46th Street and Lancaster Avenue
- 52nd Street and Lancaster Avenue
- 56th Street and Lancaster Avenue
- 46th Street and Lancaster Avenue
- 60th Street and Lancaster Avenue
- 63rd Street and Lancaster Avenue
Spruce Street & Chestnut Street Route
Runs 5:30 - 8:30 AM AND 2:30 - 6:30 PM
- 42nd and Spruce Streets
- 52nd and Spruce Streets
- 60th and Spruce Streets
- 53rd and Chestnut Streets
- 56th and Chestnut Streets
- 46th and Chestnut Streets
- Myrin Circle, in front of the Wright-Saunders Building at UPMC-Presbyterian
- The bus stop between HUP and CHOP, on the west side of 34th Street/Civic Center Boulevard
Runs 10:30 PM - 1:30 AM
- The route starts at 33rd Street in front of the Pavilion, then go to PPMC. Additional stops include:
- 42nd along Chestnut Street
- 52nd along Chestnut Street
- 54th and Cedar Streets
- 60th along Spruce Street
- 63rd along Spruce Street
- 56th along Spruce Street
- 46th along Chestnut Street
Woodland Avenue Route
Runs 5:30 - 8:30 AM AND 2:30 - 6:30 PM
- 53rd Street and Lindbergh Boulevard
- 53rd Street and Woodland Avenue
- 60th Street and Woodland Avenue
- 56th Street and Woodland Avenue
- 52nd Street and Woodland Avenue
- 46th Street and Woodland Avenue
- 41st Street and Woodland Avenue
- Myrin Circle, in front of the Wright-Saunders Building at UPMC-Presbyterian
- The bus stop between HUP and CHOP, on the west side of 34th Street/Civic Center Boulevard
Runs 10:30 PM - 1:30 AM
- The bus stop between HUP and CHOP, on the west side of 34th Street/Civic Center Boulevard
- Myrin Circle, in front of the Wright-Saunders Building at UPMC-Presbyterian
- 41st Street and Woodland Avenue
- 46th Street and Woodland Avenue
- 52nd Street and Woodland Avenue
- 56th Street and Woodland Avenue
- 60th Street and Woodland Avenue
- 53rd Street and Woodland Avenue
- 53rd Street and Lindbergh Boulevard
Parking Resources During a SEPTA Strike
Penn Parking Everyday and 12 Parks Per Month permit holders may continue to park as normal.
However, we anticipate increased traffic congestion and limited parking options both around campus and in our parking facilities for non-permit holders.
Non-permit parking will be available based on a first-come, first-served basis at these locations:
- Chestnut 34 (corner of Chestnut and 34th Streets)
- Walnut 38 (corner of Walnut and 38th Streets)
- Walnut 40 (corner of Walnut and 40th Street)