Philadelphia Public Transport

Philadelphia's public transit network is, for the most part, run by SEPTA. During my stay, I rode the 15, 23, Market-Frankford Line, and Broad Street Line (Local). My observations of each line is as follows:
     The #23 was a good bus route. Running from Chestnut Hill Loop to Broad & Oregon, the line is SEPTA's busiest bus route. However, SEPTA's archaic fare system makes the line slow, as many passengers must pay cash or use tokens, though a smart card system, SEPTA Key, is on the way. Bus stops were nice, with signs showing the route number and destination in clear print, as well as stop ID and other important information. Bus shelters were very nice, and looked like green tents. The bus itself was nice, and exceptionally clean for 8:00 PM on a Friday. Seats were nice, with a thin layer of blue padding, and some bench seats. A major downside, however, is that the bus vocals only announce major stops and the connecting routes at these stops. In my opinion, the bus should announce each stop as it is passed. At Germantown & Broad, as well as at Germantown & Erie, transfer to the Broad Street Subway was available. The line has very frequent service, Monday-Sunday, and 24/7 service is available on Germantown Avenue north of the subway station. I think that the line should reinstate streetcars from the subways station to Chestnut Hill Loop, where the demand is highest, and keep the route a bus on 11th and 12th Streets, where travel through Center City is best done by bus and demand is lower. 
     The #15 is SEPTA's last trolley route that doesn't use the Center City Streetcar Tunnel. The line runs from Richmond & Westmoreland to 63rd & Girard. The line runs with frequent service seven days a week, and runs 24/7, acting as an important crosstown route through many low-income, transit dependent areas. Something of note is that this line does not run with the 1980's "K-Cars" the other trolley routes run with, but with refurbished ADA accessible PCC Cars, as SEPTA doesn't have the funds for new cars. Along much of Girard Avenue, the line boards at raised concrete platforms in the center of the road, much like in Praha (Prague). Although having been reinstated as a streetcar in 2005, SEPTA did not take advantage of this upgrade very much, as one must board through the front door and pay there, like on a bus, one must pull a cord to get off, like a bus, and stops are relatively simple signs, like a bus. I feel as though SEPTA could at least make it so on the portions of the line where concrete platforms are used to board one pays before boarding, and the stops were more permanent and station like. Also, the trolley had no stop announcement system whatsoever, which should be installed immediately. The trolleys each have two doors facing the same direction, and seats all face the driver, which is a horrible use of space in the narrow cars which are often standing room only on weekends and weekdays.
     The Market-Frankford Line is one of the two urban, frequent SEPTA Rail routes, and one of the three SEPTA Rail routes in total. The line is the busiest in the entire system, and as such sees frequent service 24/7, though "Night Owl" service Sunday-Thursday night is provided by bus. Trains had three doors on each side of the car, and operate using Pennsylvania Gauge, which is wider than the standard gauge of the Broad Street Line. Train cars are shaped like rectangular prisms, as opposed to the more conventional cylindrical shape. The line is A LOT like the CTA Rail system in Chicago, especially the Red Line there. Center City stations were in a subway, were very close together, and had the same columns and low ceilings. Outer stations were on elevated tracks, and many were recently renovated. The line utilizes an old system of "A" and "B" trains, so that during peak hours "A" trains only stop at designated "A" stations, as well as "A and B" stations, and "B" trains do the same except with "B" stations. This is only used during weekday rush hours, and isn't necessarily a bad system. Seats were hard blue fiberglass, and none were in a bench seat format, which is unacceptable. The trains had audio systems, which were a little excessive. The announcements of stations and connecting routes was nice, but the announcement of closing doors, opening doors, wheelchair accessibility, etc. was unnecessary in my opinion. 
     The Broad Street Line is the second urban, frequent SEPTA Rail route, and runs almost entirely under its namesake, Broad Street. The line is the second busiest in the system as a whole, and is actually a system of three services. The Broad Street Line Local trains operate most frequently, seven days a week, 24/7, from AT&T to Fern Rock Transportation Center. However, Sunday-Thursday nights "Night Owl" service is provided by bus. Next, the Broad-Ridge Spur operates fairly frequently, Monday-Saturday, from Olney Transportation Center or Fern Rock Transportation Center to 8th Street. Finally, The Broad Street Line Express trains operate very frequently, Monday-Friday, from Fern Rock Transportation Center to Walnut-Locust. Additionally, Some Express trains branded "Special" operate the same route as Express trains, but with one additional stop at AT&T, and operate during sports events. The line as a whole is reminiscent of the New York City Subway, with Local and Express trains, the same four track configuration with express on the inner two tracks and local on the outer two, and the same wall mosaics. The trains had three doors on each side of the car, and interiors of the train had a few bench seats, with seats overall being hard orange plastic, like in New York City. Local only stations were simple structures with mosaic walls, but larger stations where all three services stopped often had bus hubs on the surface, multiple entrances and exits, and many platforms. Audio systems on the trains were slightly over excessive, and were very similar to those on the Market-Frankford Line. All in all, a good system!

Chinatown

Chinatown is a very busy neighborhood just north of Center City, bound by Vine Street, Broad Street, 7th Street, and Arch Street. Over its long history, many attempts to destroy or shrink the district were enacted, including building the Vine Street Expressway, the Pennsylvania Convention Center, The Gallery at Market East, The Philadelphia Police Headquarters, The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, The IRS Philadelphia Offices, and The US Federal Courthouse-Philadelphia, among others. These buildings have helped form a ring around Chinatown, but even so, the district is still quite prosperous. Although not very large, Chinatown houses a great deal of Chinese and Vietnamese businesses. The community here is quite strong, and have resisted the closure of Chinatown Station on the Broad-Ridge Spur, as well as the closure of Holy Redeemer Chinese Catholic School & Church. Most residents of the neighborhood are low income recent immigrants from East Asia, though its proximity to Center City may change this. The neighborhood is mostly made up of mixed use residential and commercial buildings, with the area as a whole centering on the intersection of Race & 10th. Chinatown is extremely walkable, and bike lanes exist on 13th and 10th. SEPTA Rail operates the Broad Street Line's Race-Vine and Chinatown Stations, the former having Local and Express train stops, whilst the latter has Broad-Ridge Spur trains. SEPTA City Division operates the 4, 16, 23, 27, 47, 47M, and 61 buses. I would suggest adding bike lanes in more areas of the neighborhood, and allocating some housing for low-income residents so gentrification doesn't kill the area.

Callowhill

Callowhill could best be described as a neighborhood of extremes. In many areas, Callowhill is mostly vacant lots and abandoned railroad tracks, with a few empty factories mixed in. In other areas, Callowhill is filled with bars, lofts, bike lanes, and street life. Callowhill's borders are Broad Street, Vine Street, Spring Garden Street, and 8th Street. The area's population is rapidly increasing, and new apartments are built left and right. Although the neighborhood was traditionally industrial, not much of this industry remains today. However, much of this vacant land is being occupied again, especially on Ridge by Noble. In fact, today Callowhill is often called the "Loft District". Notable features of the neighborhood include the almost total absence of the Philadelphia rowhouse, SEPTA's only abandoned rail station, Spring Garden on the Broad-Ridge Spur, and the Reading Viaduct, an abandoned elevated railway line. The area is fairly walkable, and bike lanes are present on 13th and Spring Garden. SEPTA Rail and SEPTA City Division serve the neighborhood through the Broad Street Subway's Spring Garden and Race-Vine stations, served by Local and Express trains, as well as the 23, 43, 47, 47M, and 61 buses.

Poplar

Poplar is a typical struggling urban neighborhood destroyed by suburbanization, urban renewal, and deindustrialization in Near North Philadelphia. The neighborhood is in the square formed by Girard Avenue, Spring Garden Street, Broad Street, and 5th Street. The area is filled with vacant lots, and the buildings which are still standing are for the most part vacant, even on main roads such as Girard and Broad. Poplar has a fairly high crime rate as well, however as gentrification moves northward in Broad this may begin to change. Although there were many vacant lots, there was also very heavy pedestrian traffic on Broad. Notable buildings include the former Metropolitan Opera House on Broad & Poplar, now partially occupied by a church, and the former Divine Lorraine Hotel, which is being renovated and will be converted into condos, at the triangle formed by Broad, Ridge, and Fairmount. However, the neighborhood is showing signs of recovery. Former high rise housing projects are being converted to low rise duplexes, and some formerly empty commercial spaces are seeing life again, with a few art galleries present near the Callowhill border. Housing stock in the neighborhood is primarily owned by the Philadelphia Housing Authority, with a few privately owned residences present, especially on the eastern edge along 5th Street. Transit in the neighborhood mainly consists of SEPTA Rail's Broad Street Line, with stations at Girard, Fairmount, and Spring Garden. Of these, Girard serves Local, Express, and Broad-Ridge Spur trains, Fairmount serves Local and Broad-Ridge Spur trains, and Spring Garden serves Local and Express trains. SEPTA City Division runs the 4, 16, 23, 43, 47, 47M, and 61 buses through the neighborhood, as well as the 15 trolley. A not so great neighborhood at the moment, but its proximity to Center City should help spur redevelopment.

Fishtown

Fishtown is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Philadelphia. Bound by Frankford Avenue, the Delaware River, and York Street, the area is very mixed socioeconomically, with gentrification only beginning to take hold in the neighborhood. Personally, I think neighborhoods in this stage are some the best overall, as people of all walks of life can work, live, and shop in the neighborhood. If rent control is not already practiced in the neighborhood, it should be instituted immediately to help keep the neighborhood socioeconomically diverse, so everyone is able to enjoy Fishtown! Historically, Fishtown was the center of Philadelphia's shad fishing industry, hence the name "Fishtown". The neighborhood consists primarily of working class Irish, as well as newer residents, many of which are hipsters and artists. Many murals and community gardens are spread throughout the neighborhood, as well as complex works of wrought iron. Businesses range from beer gardens and artisanal coffee shops to auto body shops, and a few factories still remain in Fishtown as well. Housing stock consists primarily of the common Philadelphia rowhouse and some walk up apartments, as well as some apartments above commercial spaces on main roads. The neighborhood is OK for biking and is quite walkable. Transit-wise, the neighborhood is served by SEPTA Rail, and SEPTA City Division. SEPTA Rail runs the Market-Frankford Line, offering fast, frequent service 24/7 via the Girard and Berks Stations. SEPTA City Division operates bus routes 5, 25, 43, and 89, as well as trolley route 15. The 5 from Front & Market to Frankford Transportation Center operates seven days a week, with good weekday and OK weekend headways. The 25 goes from Columbus Commons to Frankford Transportation Center, and operates seven days a week, with good weekday and OK weekend headways. Route 43 from 50th & Parkside to Richmond & Cumberland operates seven days a week, with OK weekday and bad weekend frequencies. The 89 goes from Arrott Transportation Center to Front & Dauphin, and has the worst headways of the routes serving Fishtown. Finally, the 15 from 63rd & Girard to Richmond & Westmoreland operates with 24/7 service, and good headways seven days a week.

Center City

In general, the City of Philadelphia is a lot like a busier, more dense version of the City of Saint Louis. Both have primarily mid-rise downtowns consisting of primarily 1890s-1930s buildings, both are very stereotypically "American" cities, both experienced heavy population loss to suburbs, and both have a generally Caucasian southern section and a generally African-American northern section. However, Philadelphia has begun to see population and job growth again, whereas Saint Louis hasn't. Because of these similarities, Downtown Philadelphia (known as "Center City") is a lot like Downtown Saint Louis. For one thing, building heights are quite low due to the commonly followed "gentleman's agreement" stating that no building should rise taller than City Hall. In recent years, this rule has been ignored, but its legacy can still be seen in the many turn of the century buildings present in Center City. Recently, the area has seen an explosion in the number of residents as lofts and high rises are constructed. The area defined as Center City is rapidly expanding, and the boundaries of the district push out in all directions. Center City is also Philadelphia's cultural hub, with most fine arts institutions located here. Of note is the former Reading Terminal, which has been converted into the Reading Terminal Market, a large indoor food market with a good diversity of businesses, ranging from fishmongers to bakeries. The area hosts many bike lanes, and is very walkable. Transit in the neighborhood is very good as well, with many frequent bus and rail lines converging on Center City. Honestly, I can't really think of any improvements to suggest, the area is near perfect by American standards already! 

Chestnut Hill

Chestnut Hill is a neighborhood in Northwest Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The area ranges from middle to upper class, and centers on the businesses along Germantown Avenue. The street, which is quite prone to congestion, is lined with duplexes that have been converted to shops, as well as some mid-density apartment buildings with commercial space on their ground floor. South of Germantown Avenue, the main housing stock is large duplexes, and although within the city limits these duplexes are often fronted by large lawns. North of Germantown Avenue, homes consist of smaller, more densely packed duplexes and rowhouses. The neighborhood is bound by Northwestern Avenue, Stenton Avenue, Cresheim Valley Drive and Cresheim Creek, and Wissahickon Creek. The neighborhood's buildings are for the most part quite old, as Chestnut Hill was once an independent village. The buildings are also very nice architecture-wise. Density in the neighborhood is quite low, especially for an area within the City of Philadelphia. Even so, Chestnut Hill is quite transit-friendly, and is very walkable and bikeable. The area is also a good place for families due to the large homes and ample green space. Transit in the neighborhood is made up of SEPTA City Division, SEPTA Suburban Division, and SEPTA Regional Rail. For SEPTA Regional Rail, the Chestnut Hill East and Chestnut Hill West Lines each have three stations in the neighborhood. However, frequencies on the line aren't very good at rush hour, and are horrendous on weekends and holidays, especially on the Chestnut Hill West Line. The SEPTA City Division service in the neighborhood consists of the 23, 77, and L. The 23 from Broad & Oregon to Chestnut Hill Loop is SEPTA's busiest bus route, with 24/7 Service north of Erie Station, and has very frequent service. The 77 from Roosevelt & Saint Vincent to Chestnut Hill Loop is a not very busy route, with service seven days a week, though with very low headways. Finally, the L from Olney Transportation Center to Erdenheim OR Plymouth Meeting Hall has seven day a week service, and operates fairly frequently from Chestnut Hill Loop to Olney all of these days. SEPTA Suburban Division service is made up of routes 94 and 97. The 94 from Montgomery Mall to Chestnut Hill Loop has the worst service of them all, although it does operate seven days a week. Lastly, the 97 from Norristown Transportation Center to Chestnut Hill Loop has bad service, operating seven days a week, with bad frequencies. Overall, Chestnut Hill is a nice neighborhood with a lot of history and a thriving business district, though it could benefit from some mixed income housing.

Rittenhouse Square

Rittenhouse Square is a beautiful neighborhood southwest of Center City in Philadelphia. The neighborhood is extremely beautiful and quite wealthy as well. It has a large cultural scene, and an established core of fine restaurants and hotels. The square itself was extremely pleasant, with large, leafy trees to shade pedestrians. There was an art show in the square at the time, featuring student's work at the center of the square. Though it was not very hot, the trees in the square would be a welcome respite from the summer hat during the heat of the day. The architecture of the neighborhood was beautiful, consisting of a few brick high-rises, but four to six story mixed use apartment buildings were the architectural norm. The restaurants that I dined at all had very good food, showing why the area was much visited for its fine dining. The very wealthy neighborhoods gradually morphed into slightly less wealthy neighborhoods farther from the square towards the Schuylkill River and the southern edge of the city, but still very pretty. If you visit Philly, I would go so far as to recommend this neighborhood over the Liberty Bell! 

Queen Village

Queen Village was an amazing neighborhood. Good transit connections, a walkable street grid, and a plethora of businesses and apartments characterize this neighborhood. What I really liked about the neighborhood was that it was the best of both worlds. What I mean by that is, sure, it had its Starbucks, its boutiques, and its industrial lofts,  but it also had its low income apartments, pawn shops, and bodegas. DC should really try to achieve this model, allowing low and high income people to live in relative harmony, getting the best of both. This way, the rich can be shown how many of the poor are respectable citizens, and be given the joy of being able to have "normal" businesses in their neighborhood, like laundromats or ethnic groceries. The poor can get a good school district, and fancier businesses for when they save up to go to an expensive dinner or something. The neighborhood had nice, brightly colored row homes all throughout the area. Good transit connections, nice public schools, and community gardens were all in the area.