PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Some suburban and New Jersey school districts head back to school Tuesday.
The School District of Philadelphia is also beginning its second week of classes.
A high number of absences and late arrivals last week forced SEPTA to make changes to its massive service cuts.
Nearly a dozen SEPTA bus routes and trolley lines are back in service for the first time in areas heavily traveled by students after attendance rates took a hit due to service cuts.
Services are only being added to these bus routes and trolley lines that were eliminated or reduced last week:
Nearly a dozen SEPTA bus routes and trolley lines are back in service for the first time in areas heavily traveled by students
Bus: 14, 20, 23, 26, 47, 63, 67, 70, 82
Trolley: T2, T5
More additions will start on September 15: 31, 84, 88, 452, 461, 462, 476, 478, 484
These lines that are now back up and running are the routes heavily traveled by students.
“I feel more safer now that he can only catch one bus,” said parent Shavonne Shelton. “He was catching more than one bus and it was confusing.”
SEPTA officials said the added services will be close to what was in place last school year, as opposed to last week.
RELATED: No new fare hikes, service cuts after court order forces SEPTA plan pause
Philadelphia city leaders said they’re making the additions possible by giving a portion of the $138 million already allocated for SEPTA in the city budget.
This is meant to be a temporary solution as SEPTA and commuters continue to wait for state lawmakers to agree on a way to help fund SEPTA.
“The city of Philadelphia is just simply doing the best we can with what little we have,” said Mayor Cherelle Parker. “I do want the city of Philadelphia to know what we have to continue to encourage our legislators on both sides of the aisle to come together and figure out a way to get to ‘Yes.'”
The enhanced bus and trolley lines will have extra weekday trips during peak hours in the morning and evening.
RELATED: Judge grants temporary injunction over SEPTA’s service cuts
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