SEPTA looks to divide Broad Street’s bus line

SEPTA will hold a public hearing today at its Market Street headquarters to discuss proposed changes to the Route C bus, one of Philadelphia’s busiest and longest rides.

Under the proposal, the route would be divided into Route 4 that would go from 11th and Nedro to AT&T Station at Broad and Pattison, and Route 16 that would go from the Cheltenham and Ogontz loop to City Hall. SEPTA said the proposed changes are in response to complaints from riders who say the current system is too confusing.

“Essentially, it’s to try to streamline operations a little bit,” SEPTA spokesman Andrew Busch said.

Busch added that service levels would remain the same, and that the changes would be implemented in February, if approved by SEPTA’s board.

With an average of 15,000 weekday riders, the Route C is the agency’s 10th-busiest bus route. The proposed changes would also extend the terminus in South Philadelphia about three blocks from Geary Street to Pattison Avenue.