To provide funds for a comprehensive planning analysis of a 4-mile corridor served by the T1 (route 10 trolley) in support of its trolley modernization program

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded $460,000 to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) on September 12, 2025, under the Federal Transit Capital Investment Grants program (CFDA 20.500) to conduct comprehensive planning analysis for a 4-mile corridor served by the T1 (Route 10 Trolley) in support of SEPTA's trolley modernization program. The project, scheduled for completion by September 1, 2026, will deliver market analysis and transit-oriented development (TOD) planning recommendations to identify opportunities for housing and commercial development along the corridor in West Philadelphia.

Specifically, the deliverables include a detailed market analysis examining TOD possibilities within the study area, strategic recommendations for public and private stakeholder partnerships to facilitate development, and multimodal connectivity planning to integrate newly modernized stations into the community. The project incorporates public engagement activities designed to identify unmet infrastructure and community needs, evaluate innovative financing mechanisms, and support SEPTA's implementation of appropriate service and infrastructure improvements. Anticipated outcomes include advanced TOD implementation across the T1 corridor, increased ridership, enhanced customer acceptance, and improved quality of life for transit riders and residents throughout Philadelphia and Montgomery County.

Activities

The project will include a market analysis to understand the possibilities for transit-oriented development (TOD) in the study area and to recommend how septa may best partner with public and private stakeholders to facilitate housing and commercial development. The project will also develop recommendations for multimodal connections that will make these newly constructed stations integral parts of a thriving community in west philadelphia.

Expected outcomes

The proposed work will advance TOD implementation in the T1 (route 10 trolley) corridor and the region. The T1 corridor will benefit significantly from TOD planning which will provide a more complete understanding of community and infrastructure needs. The proposed analyses including the public engagement process will help septa implement the most appropriate service and infrastructure improvements and gain customer acceptance maximizing social benefits and ridership increases. Studies will identify unmet needs and opportunities to incorporate innovative financing mechanisms.

Intended beneficiaries

Transit riders and residents of the city of philadelphia and montgomery county.