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The Hub 8/7/2026: Clean Air Council’s Weekly Round-up of Transportation News
“The Hub” is a weekly round-up of transportation related news in the Philadelphia area and beyond. Check back weekly to keep up-to-date on the issues Clean Air Council’s transportation staff finds important.
As exciting events continue in Philadelphia, learn how you can get around to major summer 2026 events without a car, or being stuck in traffic with GoPhillyGo: Car-Free Routes Map!
Image Source: WHYYWHYY: After SEPTA’s summer success, riders fear momentum could stall – This year’s state budget once again failed to provide dedicated transit funding, and advocates worry support and momentum could decline. Over 155,000 riders were moved by SEPTA to and from FIFA World Cup matches, and the agency rose to the occasion. Previous emergency funding diverted by SEPTA will expire in July 2027, which will result in a fiscal cliff without state intervention.
Image Source: WHYYBilly Penn: Philly’s smart loading zones are a boon or a plague, depending on who you ask – Automatic camera systems on 23 blocks of Chestnut, Walnut, and Sansom streets in Center City have issues an average of 8,000 tickets per month, for unregistered drivers parking in smart loading zones. The zones are meant for commercials vehicles, and by registering and enforcing these vehicles, surrounding areas have seen a decrease in illegal parking and idling. Bike and fire lanes are more open, and pedestrians have clearer walkways. This represents an ongoing shift for the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) towards automated enforcement, with officers going through the images, verifying license plate scans, and if necessary, issuing tickets.
PhillyVoice: SEPTA to close 2 trolley lines this weekend to replace rails – Two trolley lines in Delaware County will temporarily close this weekend, and service will be replaced with shuttle buses through Sunday. Starting on Friday, sections of Landsdowne Avenue will be closed through Monday evening to vehicles. The D1 and D2 trolleys will be paused through Sunday, and bus Route 115 will also be detoured around the construction.
Other StoriesMainline Times: Ardmore Rock N’ Ride celebrates 10 years, will also host state criterium finals
Metro Philadelphia: Pine Road bridge in Fox Chase to close through summer 2027
CBS Pittsburgh: New legislation in Pittsburgh removes loophole to prevent vehicles from parking on sidewalks
Mass Transit Mag: NJ Transit offers discounts, but not to these riders. That needs to change, groups say
Philadelphia Today: Century-Old Philadelphia Bridge Left to Decay as Preservationists Demand Action
PhillyVoice: Camden County bridge closes for 3 months to undergo repairs
Inside Climate News: In Philadelphia’s Chinatown, a Fight to Restore Funding for a Critical Highway Cap
Fresh Air Newsletter Aug2026
Welcome to the August 2026 Clean Air Council’s monthly newsletter.
This month’s newsletter brings you updates from our work all across Pennsylvania, with inside info about environmental laws and ways to get involved.
– Thanks, from all of us at Clean Air Council
What PA’s New Methane Standards Mean for Clean Air
On July 24, Gov. Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania DEP announced that new methane standards are on the way for Pennsylvania’s oil and gas industry, which will help protect public health, reduce climate pollution, and improve air quality for the more than 1.5 million Pennsylvanians who live near oil and gas infrastructure.
Learn more GET INVOLVEDApply for a Public Space Enhancement Mini-Grant!
Feet First Philly, a pedestrian advocacy project of the Clean Air Council, has opened applications for the seventh round of its Public Space Enhancement Mini-Grants, offering $500-$2,500 for projects that improve public spaces and pedestrian safety across Philadelphia.
Apply NEWS New Gas Pipeline Proposed in PA to Power Data Centers in MD and VAEastern Gas Transmission and Storage’s Project Oak Leaf would add 50+ miles of new pipeline, expand compressor stations across three states, and increase fracked gas transport capacity, all while being presented as an upgrade to existing infrastructure. If that sounds like more than a simple upgrade to you, you’re not alone. Attend an upcoming open house, get informed, and make your voice heard.
Learn more SUPPORT CLEAN AIR COUNCIL’S SUMMER FUNDRAISING DRIVEOur Summer Drive is one of our major fundraisers of the year, and we count on the money we raise to make sure we can keep fighting the climate crisis.
Help us reach our goal of $10,000! TAKE ACTION Give PGW Feedback on its Plans to Reduce Greenhouse Gas EmissionsPhiladelphia Gas Works is developing plans to reduce climate pollution and meet the city’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. The choices it makes could impact our air quality, public health, energy infrastructure, and utility bills for generations. Attend the next virtual community meeting on Aug. 12 at 6:30 p.m. to make your voice heard.
Register COMMUNITY PARTNER SPOTLIGHT Cobbs Creek Park AmbassadorsFrom weekly cleanups to community celebrations, the Cobbs Creek Park Ambassadors has grown into a dedicated network of community members caring for Cobbs Creek Park. This year alone, volunteers have completed more than 50 cleanups and removed over 6,000 pounds of trash from local green spaces!
Join us Support Clean AirAbout Us
The Council is Philadelphia’s oldest environmental non-profit. We have been fighting for everyone’s right to a healthy environment since 1967.
Contact Us
215-567-4004
members@cleanair.org
Community Partner Spotlight: Cobbs Creek Park Ambassadors
The Cobbs Creek Park Ambassadors are a grassroots and volunteer-run West Philadelphia organization dedicated to transforming our local green spaces. Founded in 2018 by neighbors Rich Guffanti and Andrew Wheeler, the initiative grew from weekly cleanups into a dedicated network of volunteers who adopt and maintain specific sections of Cobbs Creek Park.
We’re proud to say that in 2026 alone, we’ve hosted 50+ cleanups, removed over 6,000 pounds of trash, and engaged hundreds of volunteers. Beyond picking up litter, we work to cultivate community pride and environmental stewardship. Through events like our annual Summer Festival, we bring hundreds of neighbors together to celebrate the park.
We invite you to join us in keeping Cobbs Creek Park beautiful because our park thrives when our community steps up to care for it. Ambassadors host cleanups every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, and volunteers are welcome to attend whenever they can.
Upcoming cleanups:
*please use the registration form found on our website and monitor your inbox in case of a cancellation
- Wednesday, August 5, 8-9 a.m. at S 61st and Baltimore Ave.
- Sunday, August 9, 2-4 p.m. at Little Whitby Meadow
- Wednesday, August 12, 8-9 a.m. at S. 61st and Baltimore
- Sunday, August 16, 2-4 p.m. at Woodland Ave. and Cobbs Creek Parkway
- Wednesday, August 19, 8-9 a.m. at S. 61st & Baltimore
- Saturday, August 22, 9-11 a.m. at Mt. Moriah Cemetery and Cobbs Creek Parkway
- Sunday, August 23, 2-4 p.m. at Catharine St. and S. 63rd St.
- Wednesday, August 26, 8-9 a.m. at S. 61st and Baltimore
Please use the registration form found on our website and monitor your inbox in case of a cancellation
Additionally, our 4th annual Summer Festival is coming up on September 12 at Whitby Park from 11a.m. – 3 p.m. Join us for a bounce house, horseback riding, fishing lessons, a birding walk, free watermelon, and more! Thank you to Clean Air Council and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for financial support of this work.
Email cobbscreekparkambassadors@gmail.com with questions or to join our listserv. Find us at cobbscreekparkambassadors.org and @cobbscreekambassadors.
Feet First Philly Launches the Seventh Year of the Public Space Enhancement Mini-Grant Program
PHILADELPHIA, PA (August 3, 2026) Feet First Philly (FFP), a pedestrian advocacy project of the Clean Air Council, launched the seventh round of its Public Space Enhancement Mini-Grant program in partnership with Philadelphia Department of Public Health’s Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention.
The initiative funds projects aimed at improving Philadelphia’s pedestrian environment and public spaces, with Mini-Grant recipients receiving funding ranging from $500 to $2,500 to create public space enhancements and safety improvements. FFP is hosting an informational webinar on August 25.
“For the past six years, our Public Space Enhancement Mini-Grant program has successfully funded 80 projects that are led by community groups, businesses, and individuals across the Greater Philadelphia region”, said Titania Markland, Clean Air Council Sustainable Transportation Program Manager. “With the launch of the seventh round, we are excited for the new ideas that community leaders will propose to improve their public spaces. We are also able to offer an increase in funding for the first time since launching this program.”
“Environments shape health,” said Dr. Kinnari Chandriani, Director of the Health Department’s Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention. “It is a joy to support communities throughout the city to enhance public spaces with mini-grant funding. We are excited for another round of inspiring projects to make our city safer, cleaner, and greener.”
In 2020, FFP launched its first Public Space Enhancement Mini-Grant program with seven projects that were led by and benefited local communities. Since then, the program has awarded 80 Mini-Grants to local organizations all over Philadelphia and provided funding to:
- Extend efforts to clean up the Cobbs Creek Trail
- Create a pocket park in Southwest Philadelphia
- Replace a severely damaged sidewalk outside of a community garden in Kensington
- Create a mural on a newsstand in Germantown
- Paint an artistic crosswalk in North Philadelphia
- Add amenities to a local meadow to make it a walking destination
- Install bike racks to prevent illegal sidewalk parking outside of a school
- Help develop community gardens all over the city
For the full list of projects awarded during the sixth round (2025-2026), read more here.
“Pedestrian advocacy projects bring communities together to create safer and healthier spaces,” said Sally Hecht, a Clean Air Council Transportation Program Coordinator. “They bring people from all walks of life together and make neighborhoods around Philadelphia safer and healthier. Through the Mini-Grants, we can give Philadelphians the ability to build their communities in ways that benefit and directly support their neighbors.”
Safety is a top priority for this program, and applicants are encouraged to identify ways their project can improve safety in their communities.
If you are interested in applying or want more information, attend the webinar on August 25 at 12 p.m. (noon) ET. Applicants can email shecht@cleanair.org to schedule a one-on-one meeting with Clean Air Council staff to discuss their project ideas. Applications for the Mini-Grant are open until Saturday, October 3 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
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Feet First Philly is Philadelphia’s only advocacy group dedicated to pedestrian rights, sponsored by the Clean Air Council.
The Hub 7/31/2026: Clean Air Council’s Weekly Round-up of Transportation News
“The Hub” is a weekly round-up of transportation related news in the Philadelphia area and beyond. Check back weekly to keep up-to-date on the issues Clean Air Council’s transportation staff finds important.
As exciting events continue in Philadelphia, learn how you can get around to major summer 2026 events without a car, or being stuck in traffic with GoPhillyGo: Car-Free Routes Map!
Image Source: BillyPennBillyPenn: Philadelphians are riding SEPTA 24 hours straight hoping to improve it – Transit Forward Philadelphia organized a 24 ride on SEPTA this week, to bring awareness and support to the Zero Fare Program, the Transit Access Fund, and other inclusive transportation programs. SEPTA access and student key cards are a lifeline for communities, as stated by Kensington organizer and advocate Gloria Cartagena Hart. SEPTA is a critical need for all Philadelphians, and people with disabilities are sometimes relying on the same service, at a higher price. The Transit Access Fund hopes to address those inequities, and keep SEPTA moving for all.
Image Source: Philadelphia Visitor CenterPhillyVoice: Philly PHLASH says it likely just had its busiest stretch in its 32-year history – Philadelphia’s PHLASH, the bus service that brings riders to popular tourist destinations around the city, drove over 60,000 riders during the 39-day stretch of the World Cup. PHLASH will continue operating daily from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. to its 19 stops through Labor Day. It will run Fridays through Sundays every week after Labor Day through the end of November.
Mass Transit Mag: SEPTA, CTA report drops in system crime as agencies fortify security efforts – SEPTA has recorded a double digit decrease in crime, including a 21% reduction in serious crimes in the second quarter of 2026. Summer events such as the World Cup saw over 155,000 fans riding the BSL and SEPTA responded with increased transit police officers. Serious crimes remain at their lowest levels since 2015, and fare evasion has also been reduced by 10% with measures taken so far.
Other StoriesNBC Philadelphia: Philadelphia leads major US cities in deadly crashes, latest data shows
PhillyVoice: Nearly completed Washington Avenue Connector is part of a broader vision for Delaware River waterfront
CBS Pittsburgh: PennDOT reaches major milestone for I-79 interchange reconstruction project
The Inquirer: Abingtonians can now request anti-speeding devices on certain streets. Will yours be one of them?
CBS Philadelphia: Speed cameras now in place along busy road in Newark, Delaware
Update: New Little Nature Playgrounds are Coming to Cobbs Creek Park
Three new Little Nature Playgrounds are planned for Cobbs Creek Park. Designed with input from local residents, these welcoming spaces will encourage children and families to explore the park, learn about its history and ecology, and safely access the trail from nearby neighborhoods.
Each playground will feature a combination of nature-inspired elements, colorful asphalt art, and wayfinding maps that help connect visitors to Cobbs Creek Park.
Clean Air Council is partnering with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, Tiny WPA, Amber Art and Design, and community organizations to bring this vision to life.
How does the Little Nature Playground Project help the surrounding community?- Connect neighbors to park resources and the physical, social, emotional benefits of green space.
- Offer fun, nature-based play and learning opportunities that encourage repeated visits to the park.
- Welcome the community into Cobbs Creek Park through safe, accessible entrances
Community input has shaped every step of this project. Over the past six months, Clean Air Council and community partners have presented the Little Nature Playground Project at almost a dozen in-person meetings and events.These conversations were designed to gather design and location feedback while ensuring the project reflects the community’s vision.
Partnering with the Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Center and area libraries, the Council shared updates through community meetings, educational programs, and events. The Council also held a series of “dinner and design workshops” to gain perspectives from neighbors and distributed flyers to encourage participation.
Workshop attendees offered feedback and insight into the project’s themes. Initial project locations were identified by using existing pedestrian safety infrastructure, including traffic signals, crosswalks, and pedestrian crossing signals. Community members voted on their favorite locations and the top three crossing sites were selected.
Throughout the last six months, online surveys and meetings with community stakeholders have helped refine the three playground locations and their themes. Project consultants are currently designing initial project sketches.
Little Nature Playground Proposed Locations- Woodland Ave. and Cobbs Creek Parkway (north side)
- Market St. and 63rd St. (north side)
- Spruce St. and Cobbs Creek Parkway (south side)
Location: Woodland Ave. and Cobbs Creek Parkway
Theme: Lenape history and connecting to the creek
“Karakung” is the Lenape name for Cobbs Creek and translates to “the place of the wild geese.” One element of the play structure could be different geese that people can climb and sit on. Above is a mock up of what one of the geese could look like.
Location: 63rd St. and Market St.
Theme: Nature of Cobbs Creek Park (native plants, flowers, animals)
Many neighbors talked about wanting a place to rest along the trail during different community feedback sessions. Above is an image of a mock up of a bench in the shape of a creek. Elements that may be highlighted in the play structure design include local animals, native flowers, and the creek.
Location: Spruce St. and 63rd St.
Theme: Celebrating Cobbs Creek communities
Inspired by conversations with community groups and neighbors, this location will celebrate the collective energy put into supporting and caring for the community. The design will recognize that supporting young people is a key part of the neighborhood’s success. The creek bench may also be included in this location.
How can the surrounding community continue to inform this project and lead the vision?Community members are encouraged to sign up to attend one or all of the upcoming Cobbs Creek Neighbors RCO community meetings, where we will be giving project updates and continuing to gain community feedback. These meetings will take place Monday evenings at the Blanche A. Nixon/Cobbs Creek Library, 5800 Cobbs Creek Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19143. Register for free below to keep updated on any changes!
- September 14, 5:30 – 7 p.m. Register
- November 2, 5:30 – 7 p.m. Register
- December 7, 5:30 – 7 p.m. Register
Follow @CobbsCreekWatershedCoaltion on Instagram and Facebook for updates!
Questions? Email Trails@cleanair.org
What Pennsylvania’s New Methane Standards Mean for Clean Air
Pennsylvania is taking an important step toward reducing methane pollution from oil and gas operations.
Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced today that new methane standards are on the way for Pennsylvania’s oil and gas industry, which will help protect public health, reduce climate pollution, and improve air quality for the more than 1.5 million Pennsylvanians who live near oil and gas infrastructure.
Once finalized, these highly anticipated methane standards will implement the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2024 methane rule while allowing Pennsylvania to tailor federal standards to serve Pennsylvania’s needs as the country’s second-largest producer of gas.
Why does methane matter?Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that also affects the air we breathe. Oil and gas operations that leak methane often release other harmful pollutants at the same time, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These pollutants contribute to smog and have been linked to asthma, respiratory disease, cancer, and other serious health impacts.
Reducing methane pollution is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to slow climate change while improving air quality, especially for people living closest to oil and gas operations.
What is changing?The new standards are expected to strengthen methane leak detection and repair standards and expand protections to more well sites across the Commonwealth, regardless of size. This will help Pennsylvania dramatically lower air pollution and prevent the wasteful leakage of gas into our atmosphere.
What comes next?DEP will begin developing the proposed standards through Pennsylvania’s regulatory process. There will be opportunities for the public to review the proposal and submit comments. Clean Air Council will continue advocating for strong methane protections that reduce pollution, improve public health, and hold oil and gas companies accountable for preventable methane emissions.
Alice Lu, Policy Analyst at Clean Air Council, issued the following statement:
“For decades, Pennsylvanians have fought for safeguards from the oil and gas industry’s methane pollution. Today, Governor Shapiro and DEP are answering that call by taking a much-needed, commonsense action to protect our frontline communities. Reducing methane emissions is one of the most effective ways to tackle climate change and improve air quality.”
Want to stay informed? As DEP develops these standards, there will be opportunities for Pennsylvanians to weigh in. Sign up for Clean Air Council’s Action Alerts to learn how you can help shape stronger methane protections across the Commonwealth.
The Hub 7/24/2026: Clean Air Council’s Weekly Round-up of Transportation News
“The Hub” is a weekly round-up of transportation related news in the Philadelphia area and beyond. Check back weekly to keep up-to-date on the issues Clean Air Council’s transportation staff finds important.
As exciting events continue in Philadelphia, learn how you can get around to major summer 2026 events without a car, or being stuck in traffic with GoPhillyGo: Car-Free Routes Map!
Image Source: WHYYWHYY: Leave something on the train, bus or trolley? Here’s how to find it on SEPTA – Riders can look for lost items from SEPTA in the lost and found, but there’s more than one depending on where you left your item. For regional rail riders, the lost and found is in Suburban Station in Center City. Broad Street Line holds items at Fern Rock Transit Center and SEPTA headquarters on Market. Market-Frankford riders need to check the 69th Street Transit Center, and the depot holds unclaimed items from buses and trolleys.
WHYY: Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority takes a baby step toward resurrecting passenger rail between Philadelphia and Reading – Amtrak and the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority (SRPRA) signed a formal commitment to attempt to bring back passenger rail service between Philadelphia, Phoenixville, Pottstown, and Reading. It’s been over 40 years since passenger rail trains stopped in Phoenixville. The agreement means SRPRA intends for Amtrak to operate the lines, and Amtrak is willing to see the project through to the next phase.
Philadelphia Today: Young Mechanics Take the Lead in FOX 29’s Look Inside Zummo Bike – A non-profit in Chester County, Zummo Bikes is collecting, repairing, selling, and donating refurbished bicycles. Zumme Bikes is also a workforce development program, training students to fix bicycles and other components, see inside a small business, and develop customer service skills. Visit Zummo Bike’s website here.
Other Stories6ABC: Pep rally held for Philadelphia Cycling Classic
Safe Routes Partnership: Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day Mini-Grants are Open!
BillyPenn: The Wissahickon’s 100 Steps connect a natural oasis to the city
WHYY: Philly-area police launch aggressive-driver campaign to reduce highway fatalities
Axios Philadelphia: SEPTA’s AI-powered cameras generated $14.5M in fines in the first year
Mass Transit Mag: Amtrak selects STV for static frequency converter replacement in Philadelphia
Farms.org: Why Rural Roads Account for 40% of U.S. Traffic Fatalities
The Hub 7/17/2026: Clean Air Council’s Weekly Round-up of Transportation News
“The Hub” is a weekly round-up of transportation related news in the Philadelphia area and beyond. Check back weekly to keep up-to-date on the issues Clean Air Council’s transportation staff finds important.
As exciting events continue in Philadelphia, learn how you can get around to major summer 2026 events without a car, or being stuck in traffic with GoPhillyGo: Car-Free Routes Map!
Attention Lehigh Valley and Lancaster Transit Workers! Transit For All PA needs your help to improve public transit by taking these surveys. Link to the Lehigh Valley Survey and link to the Lancaster Survey.
Image Source: The InquirerWHYY: Pa. Gov. Shapiro signs ‘compromise’ state budget shortly after passage on Sunday – The 2026-2027 PA State Budget passed on Sunday, with Republicans and Democrats calling it a compromise. The budget comes two weeks after the state constitution-mandated deadline, late for the fifth year in a row. The $50.8 billion budget was signed by the Governor, with approval from 211 of the General Assembly’s 252 lawmakers. The budget leaves out several critical issues, such as transit, raising minimum wage, and affordable housing. Shapiro stated that there is still work to do, including addressing the lack of funding for mass transit that millions of Pennsylvanians rely on every day.
NBC Philadelphia: SEPTA is spending millions to stop fare evasion. Is it paying off? – Current fare evasion programs cost around $30 million a year, according to SEPTA. Some of the fare evasion measures include full-length gates at 10 stations, that cost around $400,000 each. The gates are intended to stop riders from jumping the turnstile. At the 10 stations with full-length gates, fare evasion has been cut in half, reducing it from one in two riders not paying to one in four. SEPTA expects the machines to pay for themselves over the next few years, and has plans to expand the fare-evasion programs at more stations over the next several years.
Philly Voice: Uber is offering free rides to older adults in West and Southwest Philly – ACHIEVEability, a Philadelphia social services organization, is running a program for older adults living in West and Southwest Philly. Codes are available for people aged 60+ for a one-time $50 voucher to access healthcare, buy groceries, or meet other critical needs. The program will run until the $10,000 budget is spent. For more information about the program, text ACHIEVEability at (215) 748-8817 or call (215) 879-6625. Clean Air Council also runs an Uber voucher program servicing the 110, 111, 114, & 117 SEPTA lines. Find more information or to register visit here.
Other StoriesThe Inquirer: Here’s what’s in — and not in — Pennsylvania’s $50.8 billion state budget
NBC Philadelphia: Falls Bridge to close to cars on weekday overnights for inspection: Officials
BillyPenn: Westbound I-76 in West Philly to close at night for bridge construction
Philly Voice: Amtrak trains to run at reduced speeds due to heat wave
Mass Transit Magazine: SEPTA launches bike parking lockers at Fox Chase station
Philadelphia Today: Inside the Bitter Political Fight That Nearly Made the Ben Franklin Bridge Free
City of Philadelphia: The Streets Department of Transportation Announces Construction of New Pedestrian Refuge Islands Along Chestnut Street
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