The Trend

The pandemic had major impacts on the public transit system, particularly SEPTA's regional rail service, as well as weekday traffic and commuter patterns. While transit ridership had been growing pre-pandemic, it fell dramatically in the early days of the pandemic as many workers suddenly transitioned from going into Philadelphia every day to working from home. Although more workers are now going into the city, at least a few days per week, ridership has not yet recovered. Ridership patterns are also evolving, with increased interest in non-work trips to visit cultural or recreational locations in the city on weekends. Other more recent trends include SEPTA's "Bus Revolution" which provides some new on-demand transit zones and the creation of the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority (SRPRA) and the possible return of rail passenger service to Phoenixville, Pottstown, and Reading.

Planning Implications

• More traffic is frequently seen during the day and rush hours are less predictable. There is often a reduced rush hour on Monday or Friday as people typically choose the beginning and end of the week as their "work-from-home" days with many offices being fuller mid-week.
• Adjusting transit services is needed to reflect the new ways people work and how they wish to use public transit. (SEPTA is looking at this now.)

The Survey Connection

When reviewing the Landscapes3 Trends Survey results, it was found that the top priority was meeting travel needs and reducing traffic congestion through "demand management, road improvements, and public transportation options" under the "Economic, Transportation, Housing/Health Issues" section of the survey. The second highest priority was expanding trail network and active transportation options. Traffic congestion was also a frequently noted concern in the write-in comments. The reduced frequency of SEPTA regional rail was a noted concern as well as the need for public transit for employees. Connections to public transit and other services from residential areas via sidewalks and trails were desired.

Landscapes3 Connection

The Connect goal of Landscapes3 addressed transportation issues at several levels including recommendations for meeting the county's travel needs, reducing congestion, providing for integrated development of technology driven transportation options, and providing universally accessible sidewalks, trails, and public transit connections. A major effort to address active transportation and public transit topics was through the development of a county-wide trails master plan and a public transportation plan which were released in Fall of 2024 and approved in December 2024 by the Commissioners. These publications look at both pre- and post-pandemic conditions and impacts. The county created an Active Transportation Inventory in 2020 and undertook a direct municipal outreach initiative to assist local communities in expanding active transportation options. And, while it predates Landscapes3 by two years, the Multi-Modal Circulation Handbook (updated 2016) provides a wealth of technical information on how to accommodate all modes of transportation in land use and land development design.

Looking Forward

While Landscapes3 did not anticipate the pandemic and the impact it would have on public transit, the new public transportation plan recognizes these impacts and provides recommendations that reflect current conditions. The trail plan continues to address Chester County's long-term goals for advancing the county and region's multi-use trail network.

Actions to address these trends include:

1. Use the Active Transportation Inventory to implement specific identified municipal actions to expand active transportation options.
2. Review and implement recommendations of the Chester County Public Transportation Plan and the Chester County Trails Master Plan.
3. Identify and participate in the biennial update of the Transportation Improvement Inventory, which is a comprehensive record of known transportation needs and projects within Chester County.
4. Take advantage of new Federal funding programs as they become available.
5. Address local small scale congestion points that may have been impacted by increased work-from-home traffic.