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SEPTA Metro
SEPTA Metro is an urban rail transit network in and around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, operated by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA). The network includes two rapid transit lines, an interurban light rapid transit line, a light rail line with two services, a surface-running streetcar line, and a subway–surface trolley line with five branches, totaling 78 miles (126 km) of rail service.
Although some of Philadelphia's transit lines date to the 19th century and the SEPTA agency began operations in 1965, the transit network itself had no formal name until 2024, when it was named "SEPTA Metro" as part of an effort to make the system easier to navigate. The effort replaced each line's name with a single letter, plus a number to denote various service patterns.
SEPTA Metro dates back to 1859 when the Pennsylvania General Assembly chartered the Richmond and Schuylkill River Passenger Railway. This line—now known as the G—commenced operations in July 1859, connecting Second Street to 31st Street along Girard Avenue. Following financial restructuring, the line reorganized as the Fairmount Park and Delaware River Passenger Railway in 1864 before merging with the Germantown Passenger Railway in 1866.
The network continued to expand as the nineteenth century progressed. The People's Passenger Railway leased the line in 1881, extending service west to 60th Street by 1900. In 1896, the Union Traction Company assumed control of the line by leasing the People's Passenger Railway.
In 1895, horse-drawn vehicles were replaced by electrified streetcars. The early 20th century witnessed the extension of Girard Avenue streetcars west to 63rd Street and east to Allegheny Avenue in 1903, incorporating the former Electric Traction Company Bridesburg Line on Richmond Street.
Trolley service continued to expand into Philadelphia's suburbs. In 1895, the Philadelphia and West Chester Traction Company inaugurated a trolley line (now Route 104) along West Chester Pike. In 1902, service was launched to Ardmore by the Ardmore and Llanerch Street Railway (now Route 103). Suburban trolley expansion continued with the opening of the Sharon Hill Line (now D2) in 1906. In 1907, the Philadelphia and Western Railroad inaugurated service from 69th Street Transportation Center to Strafford, forming parts of what would eventually become the M.
On March 4, 1907, Philadelphia's first rapid transit service was launched with the opening of the Market Street Line along Market Street. The service ran between 69th Street Terminal and City Hall. The system featured an elevated structure west of the Schuylkill River and a subway tunnel east of the river. Philadelphia was unusual in that the construction of its initial downtown subway was undertaken using Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company private capital with no contribution from public funds.
Expansion proceeded rapidly, with the Market Street Line extending east to 2nd Street in August 1908 and reaching the Delaware River the following month. October 1908 saw the opening of the Delaware Avenue Elevated (Ferry Line), extending service to South Street. The total cost of the Market Street subway and elevated system amounted to $23,072,114 (equivalent to about $807,438,500 in 2024).
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SEPTA Metro
SEPTA Metro is an urban rail transit network in and around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, operated by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA). The network includes two rapid transit lines, an interurban light rapid transit line, a light rail line with two services, a surface-running streetcar line, and a subway–surface trolley line with five branches, totaling 78 miles (126 km) of rail service.
Although some of Philadelphia's transit lines date to the 19th century and the SEPTA agency began operations in 1965, the transit network itself had no formal name until 2024, when it was named "SEPTA Metro" as part of an effort to make the system easier to navigate. The effort replaced each line's name with a single letter, plus a number to denote various service patterns.
SEPTA Metro dates back to 1859 when the Pennsylvania General Assembly chartered the Richmond and Schuylkill River Passenger Railway. This line—now known as the G—commenced operations in July 1859, connecting Second Street to 31st Street along Girard Avenue. Following financial restructuring, the line reorganized as the Fairmount Park and Delaware River Passenger Railway in 1864 before merging with the Germantown Passenger Railway in 1866.
The network continued to expand as the nineteenth century progressed. The People's Passenger Railway leased the line in 1881, extending service west to 60th Street by 1900. In 1896, the Union Traction Company assumed control of the line by leasing the People's Passenger Railway.
In 1895, horse-drawn vehicles were replaced by electrified streetcars. The early 20th century witnessed the extension of Girard Avenue streetcars west to 63rd Street and east to Allegheny Avenue in 1903, incorporating the former Electric Traction Company Bridesburg Line on Richmond Street.
Trolley service continued to expand into Philadelphia's suburbs. In 1895, the Philadelphia and West Chester Traction Company inaugurated a trolley line (now Route 104) along West Chester Pike. In 1902, service was launched to Ardmore by the Ardmore and Llanerch Street Railway (now Route 103). Suburban trolley expansion continued with the opening of the Sharon Hill Line (now D2) in 1906. In 1907, the Philadelphia and Western Railroad inaugurated service from 69th Street Transportation Center to Strafford, forming parts of what would eventually become the M.
On March 4, 1907, Philadelphia's first rapid transit service was launched with the opening of the Market Street Line along Market Street. The service ran between 69th Street Terminal and City Hall. The system featured an elevated structure west of the Schuylkill River and a subway tunnel east of the river. Philadelphia was unusual in that the construction of its initial downtown subway was undertaken using Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company private capital with no contribution from public funds.
Expansion proceeded rapidly, with the Market Street Line extending east to 2nd Street in August 1908 and reaching the Delaware River the following month. October 1908 saw the opening of the Delaware Avenue Elevated (Ferry Line), extending service to South Street. The total cost of the Market Street subway and elevated system amounted to $23,072,114 (equivalent to about $807,438,500 in 2024).