SEPTA lands $15M BUILD grant to improve passenger access
The grant will fund approximately 39% of the $38 million project, and will leverage more than $23 million in additional state, local, and private funds.
SEPTA will receive a $15 million federal grant to modernize infrastructure and improve passenger access at its 30th Street Market-Frankford Station, members of the southeastern Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation announced.
The award will be made through the U.S. Department of Transportation's Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation Discretionary Grants program. The grant will fund approximately 39% of the $38 million project, and will leverage more than $23 million in additional state, local, and private funds, including a $2 million commitment from Brandywine Realty Trust.
SEPTA's 30th Street Market-Frankford Station project is currently in final design.
The modernization project will increase station capacity, improve passenger flow, and support the regionally significant economic development activities planned for the surrounding area.
Plans for the station overhaul include the installation of new stairs, escalators, and elevators, an expanded mezzanine area, a new glass head house and canopy at north-west corner of 30th and Market Street, a ramp to the new Drexel Square, improved lighting, signage, and extensive bike parking.
Served by the Market-Frankford Line — SEPTA's most heavily traveled route - and five Trolley Routes, SEPTA's 30th Street Market-Frankford Station is a vital regional hub connecting 25,000 daily passengers to University City, the region's second largest employment center.
The region’s fixed-route system finished out the year with a total of 373.5 million rides. Adding 12.3 million rides over 2024 represents an increase that is equal to the annual transit ridership of Kansas City.
The service is a flexible, reservation-based transit service designed to close the first- and last-mile gaps and connect riders to employment for just $5 per day.
The upgraded system, which went live earlier this month, supports METRO’s METRONow vision to enhance the customer experience, improve service reliability, and strengthen long-term regional mobility.
The agreement provides competitive wages and reflects strong labor-management collaboration, positive working relationships, and a shared commitment to building a world-class transit system for the community, said RTA CEO Lona Edwards Hankins.
The priorities are outlined in the 2026 Board and CEO Initiatives and Action Plan, which serves as a roadmap to guide the agency’s work throughout the year and ensure continued progress and accountability on voter-approved transportation investments and essential mobility services.
