SEPTA debuts new website

Transit officials say SEPTA’s new website works better for cellphone users and will introduce riders to the authority’s “Metro” branding.

The site debuted Thursday with the same URL – septa.org. New features include a trip planning tool and station pages showing a stop’s accessibility for people with disabilities, parking situation and other amenities, according to SEPTA.

“Our goal is simple – make the system easy for everyone to use, regardless of familiarity, language, or ability,” SEPTA General Manager Leslie Richards said in a statement. “Having a modern website with access to real-time tools and information is an important part of that vision.”

Seventy percent of SEPTA’s online traffic comes from mobile users, so the functions can all be accessed on a cellphone, officials said.

On the page, the Market-Frankford, Broad Street and Norristown High Speed lines, as well as all trolley routes, are grouped under the Metro banner, a wayfinding system the authority is planning to fully phase in next year with signs and maps.

Letters, colors and numbers are used to signify each line, which SEPTA believes will make the system easier to navigate, particularly for newcomers to the city, tourists and non-English speakers.

Some of the rebranding is familiar. For example, B and orange are used to signify the BSL, with B1 for local, B2 for express and B3 for the Broad-Ridge Spur trains.

Bus routes and Regional Rail lines are categorized separately.

SEPTA spent more than 18 months remaking the website, the authority said. Planners analyzed other transit agency sites and worked with riders, employees and advocacy groups to develop it, according to SEPTA. They also collected feedback from a public survey.