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5thsqadvocacy.org
5th Square Advocacy
@5thsqadvocacy.org
2.5K followers 700 following 570 posts
Grassroots urbanist organizers working towards a more accessible, sustainable, and equitable Philadelphia.
Weekly Newsletter: https://www.5thsqadvocacy.org/subscribe
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5thsqadvocacy.org
To ease the burden on diverted riders, starting today SEPTA announced:
- Shuttle Buses on Market St
- Police at 38th & Spruce to help trolleys turn
- Parking restrictions
- Closing part of 40th St to traffic
- Extended green lights on 40th st
wwww.septa.org/news/trolley...
T Trolley Tunnel Closure Extended, Shuttle Bus Service Begins Monday, Dec. 15 12/12/2025 Bulletins Service Advisory T Update as of December 12, 2025: SEPTA will begin running a new T Bus Shuttle 7 days a week as the Center City Trolley Tunnel Closure is expected to continue through the end of December. This new shuttle, running every 10 minutes, will be added starting at 6 am on Monday, December 15. SEPTA is making these changes after determining that more testing is needed before the tunnel can be opened for regular trolley service. We understand the frustration this extended closure is causing to our riders. To mitigate the impact of this closure, SEPTA is doing the following: Implementing a T Bus Shuttle between 40th-Market and 15th St/City Hall To better meet the needs of riders traveling to/from points between 40th St and 15th St not served by the L, SEPTA will be implementing a T Bus Shuttle starting at 6 am and running until midnight beginning Monday, December 15. This bus option will run approximately every 10 minutes between 40th-Market and 15th St/City Hall, stopping near each T station along the way: T Bus Shuttle stops: • 40th and Market • 36th and Market • 33rd and Market • 30th and Market • 22nd and Market • 19th and Market (Eastbound) / 19th and JFK (Westbound) • 15th and Market Working with partners at the City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Police Department and Philadelphia Parking Authority to implement on-street interventions to speed up the flow of diverted trolleys. So far: • SEPTA Transit Police and PPD Traffic have been stationed at 38th and Spruce to prioritize trolleys turning from Spruce onto 38th St. • Parking restrictions have been put in place along the left side of 40th St to minimize the impacts of illegally stopped or double-parked cars blocking T service. • 40th Street between Powelton and Market Streets has been closed to private vehicle traffic during peak hours. • Some traffic lights along 40th Street have been granted extended green time to keep traffic flowing smoothly.
December 15, 2025 at 8:39 PM
5thsqadvocacy.org
🎉 What a blast celebrating the 2025 Urbanist award winners! Huge thanks to everyone who made our holiday party unforgettable!
Award winners holding cone trophies Three award winners Taking a selfie with cone trophies 5 folks all wearing SEPTA holiday sweaters Big crowd watching awards
December 14, 2025 at 2:05 AM
5thsqadvocacy.org
Our Holiday Party and Awards Ceremony is TONIGHT!
Get your tickets here ⬇️
5thsq.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/ne...
December 12, 2025 at 3:17 PM
5thsqadvocacy.org
Join us and Transit Forward Philadelphia for a book talk with Author Carter Lavin

THIS Thursday at 6 PM

From safer streets to faster trains, the changes you want are possible—and transportation advocate Carter Lavin can show you how to make them real.

RSVP⬇️
5thsq.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/ne...
cover of the book "if you want to win, you've got to fight, a guide to effective transportation advocacy" and a black and white image of the author, carter lavin, sitting at a bus stop.
November 11, 2025 at 6:00 PM
5thsqadvocacy.org
This lack of safe infrastructure and this driver behavior is what led to the death of Dr. Barbara Friedes last year on the same street.

These are not isolated incidents.
October 27, 2025 at 9:43 PM
5thsqadvocacy.org
@bikeaction.org made a rendering of this exact corridor with concrete pills — it’s possible! Just need the political will to do it!!
October 27, 2025 at 12:43 PM
5thsqadvocacy.org
Yup! Some well-placed concrete should be enough of a deterrent.
October 27, 2025 at 1:33 AM
5thsqadvocacy.org
Absolutely deadly behavior causing another crash on Spruce Street at 5th st early this morning. This is on the busiest bike lane in Philly with over 1,500 riders who use it daily.

We deserve so much better than paint and flexposts, we deserve real protection.
October 26, 2025 at 11:52 PM
5thsqadvocacy.org
Another crash and injury on Spruce St. This one taking out a streetlight, an Indego bike corral, and sending another person to the hospital.

Our city cannot prevent all reckless driving, but our city can provide for the safety of our most vulnerable. It’s time for concrete protection.
Image of black Kia crashed onto sidewalk with lamp post and bike share rack hit
August 2, 2025 at 12:06 AM
5thsqadvocacy.org
Looks like Harrisburg is really gonna let SEPTA fail.
Telephone pole with bus stop sign and a notice of discontinued service sign in bright red
July 24, 2025 at 4:10 PM
5thsqadvocacy.org
Another crash & serious injury on Spruce St in Center City.

There’s still no protection for people biking & walking, and reckless driving is as prevalent as ever. It’s beyond time for concrete protection. #concretenow

@bcgp.bsky.social @bikeaction.org
First responders working on extricating a victim from an overturned vehicle on the 900 block of spruce st. Vehicle is an SUV overturned in the painted bike lane.
July 22, 2025 at 6:53 PM
5thsqadvocacy.org
One week in and it's clear who keeps this city running. The workers of DC 33 deserve a fair contract and workplace protections, and we stand with them.
July 7, 2025 at 3:47 PM
5thsqadvocacy.org
Best way to report illegally-parked cars is the PPA Hotline: 215-683-9773

For chronic problems: PPA has an online form that now takes reports for bike lane blockers!
philapark.org/access/
June 20, 2025 at 3:15 AM
5thsqadvocacy.org
This was a huge win for safer streets around City Hall! We will be watching this bill closely as it progresses through Council in the fall.
An informational graphic with a blue and green background celebrating a political victory for cycling advocates in Philadelphia. On the left, a circular photo shows Councilmember Jeffery Young. On the right stands a statue of William Penn. The text in the center reads: "Councilmember Jeffery Young introduces the legislation for a CITY HALL BIKE LANE 🙌". Below this, logos for "PHILLY BIKE ACTION! 5th SQUARE" are next to a black and white "BIKE LANE" sign. The bottom of the graphic states: "Your 1,400 petition signatures, 600 emails, & dozens of calls were heard!"
June 12, 2025 at 10:40 PM
5thsqadvocacy.org
We packed the Capitol today with Transit riders and workers all with one ask:
FUND PA TRANSIT 🚊 🚇 🚌
June 5, 2025 at 2:04 AM
5thsqadvocacy.org
Truck side guards could have been beneficial here too.

5/
May 9, 2025 at 11:04 PM
5thsqadvocacy.org
More immediately, the crash intersection has been awaiting installation of red light cameras since 2022, with PPA citing age of equipment causing the delay.

4/
May 9, 2025 at 11:04 PM
5thsqadvocacy.org
This is along a trolley corridor slated for modernization with platforms that physically protect the bike lane and may have prevented this tragedy.

2/
May 9, 2025 at 11:04 PM
5thsqadvocacy.org
Check out this world-class pedestrian plaza that will accompany this 1,005-space garage.
A bunch of small hostile cubes on open concrete no-shade lot
May 8, 2025 at 12:34 AM
5thsqadvocacy.org
Plus this chart really shows how little we spend per rider on transit.
May 6, 2025 at 1:15 AM
5thsqadvocacy.org
Mazlow’s Hierarchy of Needs, NIMBY edition
The image displays Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, represented as a pyramid with five levels, but with an additional element at the very bottom. * Bottom Level (Physiological): This foundational level includes basic survival needs such as "Food Water Shelter Warmth." * Second Level (Safety): The next level up encompasses needs related to "Security Stability Freedom from Fear." * Third Level (Belonging - Love): This level focuses on social needs like "Friends Family Spouse Lover." * Fourth Level (Self-Esteem): Here, the needs are for "Achievement Mastery Recognition Respect." * Top Level (Self-Actualization): At the apex of the pyramid is the need to "Pursue Inner Talent Creativity Fulfillment." Notably, below the physiological needs, a large red rectangle encloses the word "PARKING."
May 2, 2025 at 11:23 PM
5thsqadvocacy.org
Beautiful morning speaking to hundreds of Trenton Line riders at Torresdale station this morning asking them to contact electeds for SEPTA funding.

Wanna join us for the next one?
Sign up here: www.5thsq.org/volunteer
April 28, 2025 at 3:28 PM
5thsqadvocacy.org
Packed rally today
FUND SEPTA!
April 11, 2025 at 3:47 PM
5thsqadvocacy.org
New SEPTA Doomsday map just dropped.

Let’s get transit funded, join us tomorrow at 11AM — City Hall.
April 11, 2025 at 12:26 AM
5thsqadvocacy.org
On Monday, we turned out advocates for safer streets & parents to join with folks from AARP PA, Phila SD, School Crossing Guards’ Union, & @bcgp.bsky.social to testify in support of Speed Cameras in 7 of Philly’s most dangerous school zones.

We also supported safety for 47th street in West Philly.
Image of 5th Square volunteers in City Council Chambers awaiting public comment
April 9, 2025 at 5:56 PM