By Jack Tomczuk
The Philadelphia Parking Authority is on track to renovate and reopen the Filbert Street bus terminal by May 1, city officials said Tuesday.
Mayor Cherelle Parker noted that the temporary station, which has been closed for more than two years, will be ready in time to welcome the anticipated influx of visitors this summer for the FIFA World Cup and festivities surrounding the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
“This is something for us to really be excited about,” she added. “No matter how you’re going to travel here – by bus, by train, by plane, by car, if you walk, if you run – Philadelphia is going to be ready for you.”
Greyhound Lines Inc. operated the terminal in Chinatown for decades before ending its lease in June 2023 as part of a shift toward a curbside model favored by low-cost bus carriers. Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, owner of the 76ers, had also expressed interest in the 10th and Filbert property for its since-abandoned effort to build a Market East arena.
Once the station closed, intercity bus operators began picking up and unloading passengers on the 600 block of Market Street, generating complaints from riders, residents and local business owners.
In November 2023, the city moved the stop to its current location, in the area of Spring Garden Street and Delaware Avenue in Northern Liberties.
Parker on Tuesday signed City Council legislation passed in December that permits the PPA to charge a $40 fee per stop for intercity bus companies, such as Greyhound, Peter Pan, Megabus and Flixbus.
The revenue will be used for the rehabilitation and ongoing operations of the terminal. PPA Executive Director Richard Lazer said the authority has a budget of between $1.7 million and $2 million for the initial renovations.
Interior demolition has already been completed, he told reporters. PPA intends to install additional lighting, improve landscaping and partner with Mural Arts to beautify the exterior of the building, Lazer added.
Carriers need to pay the fee whether they use the terminal or not, according to the text of the legislation. Enforcement will be handled by a PPA camera-based system, which Lazer said would be the first-of-its-kind in the country.
Deputy City Managing Director Mike Carroll said the city is trying to incentivize as many bus companies as possible to relocate operations to Filbert Street. Several carriers have expressed interest in doing a walkthrough, he added.
PPA and the Parker administration have agreed to operate the terminal for a period of 10 years; at which time, city leaders may decide on a new, permanent station, officials said at a news conference.
“What this is, is a bridge from where we had been to where we want to be,” Carroll said. “We’re looking at a 10-year lease, and that’s enough time, we think, to really nail down a long-term solution. There’s a lot of options that are still on the table.”
The Filbert Street location is likely to be in that discussion, and Parker mentioned that some have suggested a permanent site closer to 30th Street Station. A process to solicit public input will be launched in the coming weeks, according to the mayor.