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Finance Committee approves amended fee to revive Filbert Street bus terminal; city plans operations and outreach
Summary
The committee approved an amended ordinance (250951) to charge intercity buses fees to fund operations and to partner with the Philadelphia Parking Authority to reactivate the Filbert Street terminal; staff said the first-year budget is roughly $4.7 million and emphasized security, sanitation and service connections ahead of 2026 events.
Philadelphia officials moved to restore a downtown intercity bus facility and to impose a per-bus fee to fund operations, approving an amendment to bill 250951 that lowers the initial fee while the terminal is readied for service.
John Monlach of the Department of Planning and Development told the Finance Committee the city has borne about $2 million in costs to provide passenger services at interim curbside sites and that reactivating the Filbert Street station would let the city provide a cleaner, safer and more accessible welcome for riders. He said staff propose a fee structure that—after amendment—sets a temporary $40-per-bus rate that will rise to $65 when the station becomes operational, with a lower $16 rate for PennDOT-subsidized rural routes.
Monlach said the city expects to partner with the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) to operate the facility and apply camera-based routing enforcement. Rich Lazer, PPA executive director, described planned refurbishment and operations: custodial coverage, mechanical and maintenance staff, security coordinated with police, and traffic enforcement to keep passenger flows moving. Lazer said the goal is ‘‘to have it be a welcoming experience’’ and that PPA will explore advertising and retail to help offset operating costs.
Officials told the committee a combined capital and year-one operating estimate is about $4.7 million; staff said that revenue will come mostly from bus fees with some city subsidy and that no state capital subsidy is currently available. Councilmembers pressed for more detail on small/local business participation in subcontracting, the specific subcontractor list and a written commitment that facility operations comply with USDOT safety and driver-rest regulations; staff agreed to provide those details and to include compliance language in the circulated amendment.
Public testimony from Transit Forward Philadelphia emphasized rider dignity and urged rapid passage to prevent more riders from waiting unsheltered at curbside locations. After discussion and a voice vote, the committee approved the amendment and reported bill 250951 favorably, requesting suspension of rules for first reading at the next Council meeting.
Votes and next steps: the committee approved the amendment and reported the bill to full Council with a favorable recommendation; staff will provide the committee a full subcontractor breakdown and an operations plan prior to Council vote.
