This message was sent to all incoming first-year and transfer undergraduate students on Sept. 5.
We’re excited to have you join Drexel University’s campus community in the coming weeks! To help you settle in and navigate your new surroundings, we want to share some important updates about transit and traffic conditions in Philadelphia and around Drexel’s campuses. These changes may affect your commute, so we hope this information helps you plan ahead with confidence.
Transit Changes
Philadelphia’s public transit system, SEPTA, has begun to implement service cuts to fill a $213 million recurring budget deficit. While lawmakers continue to debate funding for SEPTA in the state’s budget, the situation remains fluid. We encourage students who rely on SEPTA to stay informed by checking SEPTA’s website, mobile app, and social media channels, and to take advantage of the transit discount that is available to you as a Drexel student.
Transit Discount
Full-time Drexel students are eligible for a 15% discount on monthly SEPTA TransPasses and TrailPasses purchased through DrexelOne. The 15% discount is applicable beginning with October passes and reflects a University-funded 5% increase from the previous discount of 10%. To use the discount, log in to DrexelOne, click the Campus + Community tab, and select “Drexel SEPTA ComPass Program” in the Commuting section.
All passes must be purchased by the 15th of the month before the pass you are purchasing. For example, the deadline for buying an October pass is 11:59 p.m. on September 14. Purchases must be made with a major credit card and are limited to one pass per month. Please see the Student Center Services website for more information about this discount.
Traffic
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s four-year project to rehabilitate the Market Street bridge over the Schuylkill River near Drexel University’s campus is causing extra traffic congestion and delays in University City, particularly on and around Market Street. Please use caution when driving in the area. For complete information on the project, including planned closures and detours, visit PennDOT’s Market Street Bridges Rehabilitation and Improvement Project website.
Preparing for Your Commute
We encourage you to explore all the options available for traveling to and from campus. Options you may consider include:
- Identifying the best public rail or bus lines you can take;
- Utilizing Drexel’s free shuttle bus service, or the University of Pennsylvania’s fixed-route campus buses (also free with a valid Drexel DragonCard ID);
- Biking to and around campus if possible;
- Carpooling with other students to help alleviate traffic; and
- Planning alternate routes to avoid construction areas and factoring delays into your drive time.
More details on transportation options, including parking, car share and biking, are provided in the Commuter Resources section of the Student Life website.
Staying Informed and Supported
We understand that adjusting to a new city and campus can be a lot. Drexel is here to support you every step of the way. We’ll continue to monitor these transit and traffic developments and share updates as they become available.
We’re so glad you’re here, and we look forward to a great year ahead!
This message has been approved by the Office of the Executive Vice President, Chief Operating and Financial Officer, and Treasurer.