Port Authority Transit Corp. (PATCO) will implement a phased rollout of temporary overnight weekday service changes beginning Monday, July 14. The changes are designed to address safety and cleanliness concerns, improve conditions for staff, and provide a better overall experience for transit riders.
Impacts will be seen on the weekday owl service only, PATCO’s overnight service period from 12:00 a.m. to 4:30 a.m., when ridership is extremely low, averaging approximately 25 riders per hour across the system.
“On behalf of the Board of Commissioners, I want to thank Mayor Parker and the City of Philadelphia for their strong partnership and steadfast commitment to public safety,” said James D. Schultz, Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA)/PATCO board chairman. “This collaborative effort with DRPA and PATCO has been instrumental in increasing the safety and security of our employees and customers. Together, we are taking meaningful steps to enhance safety, improve system cleanliness, and ensure PATCO remains a dependable and secure transit option for the communities we serve.”
The weekday overnight service changes will allow for necessary cleaning and maintenance across PATCO and the City of Philadelphia-owned areas of the stations in Center City. As part of this effort, the concourse levels in Philadelphia will also be closed overnight.
“I want to personally recognize and thank the dedicated men and women of PATCO and our Public Safety Department who show up every day — and every night—with a shared commitment to keeping our system safe, secure, and clean. Their efforts are the backbone of our operation, and their pride in service is reflected in every station and on every train. We are grateful for all they do to support our riders and uphold the standards our communities deserve,” said John Rink, PATCO General Manager.
Suspended Overnight Weekday Service in Two-Phase Maintenance Plan
The changes will be implemented in two phases to provide riders with ample notice and time to adjust travel plans while allowing PATCO to coordinate operational changes for a smooth transition.
Phase One: Includes changes to train frequency and overnight station availability. During weekday owl service hours, trains will operate every two hours, resulting in two fewer trains running each night. In addition, select stations will temporarily close, and others will reopen on a rotating two-week basis to allow for focused cleaning, maintenance, and safety operations.
Phase Two: Includes a complete suspension of overnight weekday service. All PATCO trains will stop running, and all stations will be closed during owl hours. This phase marks the start of a temporary six-month pilot program designed to create consistent overnight windows for deep cleaning, maintenance, and public safety operations across the system.
“The City’s Office of Public Safety worked in a coordinated fashion with our partners at DRPA/PATCO and other key City departments to facilitate this much-needed maintenance project,” said Philadelphia Chief Public Safety Director Adam Geer. “Our work encompasses enhancing safety for residents, commuters, and visitors, so bringing all parties to the table for one of our city’s major transportation providers was a clear opportunity to ensure those using this resource feel secure and valued. When our Mayor says, ‘one Philly – a united city,’ this type of intergovernmental work is exactly what she’s talking about.”
“I want to extend my sincere thanks to Chairman Schultz, Vice Chairman Nash, Commissioner Deon, and Commissioner Garrity for their steady leadership and support throughout this entire process,” said John T. Hanson, DRPA CEO and PATCO president. “I am equally grateful to our dedicated staff, whose hard work and professionalism have been essential to planning and implementing these necessary changes. With the continued support of our Board and the City of Philadelphia, we are taking responsible, coordinated steps to ensure PATCO remains a well-maintained and reliable system today and for years to come.”
