• Subscribe
  • Magazine
  • 40 Under 40
  • Supplier's Directory
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
    1. Technology
    2. Passenger Info

    SEPTA launches estimated seat availability dashboard

    May 12, 2021
    The new online tool gives customers a virtual look onboard vehicles while trip planning.
    Related To: Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA)

    A new online tool provides Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) customers with information about seat availability onboard vehicles as they plan their trips.  

    The Estimated Seat Availability Dashboard is now on SEPTA's website, with information available for most bus routes. This data will expand in the coming months to cover all of SEPTA's modes of travel, including the Market-Frankford and Broad Street Lines, the Norristown High Speed Line, Regional Rail and Trolleys. 

    "For the first time ever, SEPTA customers can get a virtual look inside of their bus while they are planning a trip with the Estimated Seat Availability Dashboard," said SEPTA General Manager Leslie S. Richards. "SEPTA is committed to enhancing the interactive tools available for customers, and today's launch is a major step forward." 

    Seating estimates are based on ridership information that SEPTA collects from a mix of sources, including Automatic Passenger Counters and assessments by SEPTA personnel and traffic checkers. SEPTA says it is continually monitoring ridership so that customers have seating estimates based on the most recent data available. 

    On the Estimated Seat Availability Dashboard, customers will see each stop on a trip displayed as one of three categories: 

    • Many seats available: Expect to easily find a seat. 
    • Some seats available: Expect to search for a seat. 
    • Standing room only: Expect that all seats are taken. 

    SEPTA still has COVID-19 capacity limits in place on vehicles, but those are expected to rise soon due to increasing vaccination rates, lower case numbers and higher demand for service. Information on the Estimated Seat Availability Dashboard will reflect the capacity limits while they are in place and will be adjusted as limits are increased and eventually lifted. 

    The information on the Estimated Seat Availability Dashboard is available as an interactive tool for customers, and the data can also be downloaded for use by app developers. SEPTA says it expects to incorporate the data into the official SEPTA App later this year.