
The J bus stop sign will eventually be called the 41 in February. (GIH | Rasheed Ajamu)
End-of-the-year SEPTA funding challenges may have momentarily put the budding “Bus Revolution” in the passenger seat. However, to kick off 2025 at full speed, SEPTA has announced the rollout of the revolution will officially begin in February.
Germantown can and should expect significant changes with this rollout, as the city’s Northwest section is set to be “step one,” according to the website.
Expanded Frequent Network
“Frequent” bus routes are scheduled to arrive every 15 minutes or sooner. Right now, there are 23 frequent buses citywide, with only two buses (18 & 23) crossing through Germantown. Post-revolution, there will be 41, with five routes crossing Germantown, adding bus routes 53, 65, and 81 (replacing the XH).
Bus name changes
Gone are the days of letters as bus names, as SEPTA will transition into numbers for all service lines. Starting next month, the following Germantown lines will receive a name change.
- The J bus will become the 41
- The H bus will become the 71
- The XH will become the 81
To hinder confusion amongst riders, SEPTA will have both names appear alongside each other for a few months.
Route extension
Only one bus in the system’s entirety will receive a line extension, the 65, which initially ran from the Germantown and Chelten intersection to the 69th Street Transportation Center, connecting Germantown and West Philly residents.
Soon, the 65 no longer start or end at Germantown & Chelten. The bus will now run from the Fern Rock Transportation Center in the Olney/Fern Rock section of Philly, using Olney and Chelten Avenues to make its way to Germantown before heading west to 69th Street.
Route changes
As mentioned in prior articles, changes are happening to quite a few of our Germantown-adjacent services. As noted, these route changes are expected to be the first of a four-step implementation, though no official date has yet been provided. Here’s a full list of Germantown bus routes and what you can expect.
- Route 18: Will be realigned to provide frequent crosstown service between Cedarbrook Plaza and Frankford Transit Center via Olney Avenue.
- Route 23: No changes.
- Route 26: Parts of Routes 26 and K will be combined to provide a crosstown connection between Wissahickon and Frankford Transit Center via 66th Avenue.
- Route 41: Formerly the J, the 41 will be realigned to operate via Duncannon Avenue instead of Fisher Avenue in Olney.
- Route 53: Will be extended on both ends to operate crosstown service between Carpenter Lane Regional Rail Station and Richmond and Westmoreland via Wayne Avenue, Hunting Park Avenue, and Aramingo Avenue.
- Route 65: As mentioned, the 65 will be realigned to operate from 69th Street Transit Center to Fern Rock Transit Center.
- Route 71: The only change is the name, as this was formerly the H bus.
- Route 81: Formerly the XH, the 81 will run more frequently as part of the Expanded Frequent Network.