Winter Weather

General Plan & Service Information

General winter weather service information to help you prepare for the storm is noted below. Customers should check System Status for real-time serivce information across the SEPTA system throughout the duration of the storm.

Use the links below to go directly to the general winter weather information for your mode of travel:

Regional Rail Winter Storm Service Plan

Market Frankford, Broad Street Lines: General service information during a storm

Bus/Trolley Routes

CCT Connect: Information for customers during a storm

Customer Service: Important phone numbers, Call Center hours

Twitter Alerts: Customized Twitter alerts for your route or line

Safety: Customer safety tips and information during a storm

Important Phone Numbers and Updates

(215) 580-7800 | Customer Service
(215) 580-7145 | CCT Customer Service

On Twitter @SEPTA_SOCIAL: Customer service information and inquiries

Additional Customer Service information, including frequently asked questions, is available here

Get Customized Twitter Alerts for Your Train, Trolley, or Bus

Customers can follow official @SEPTA Twitter handles for real-time information for Regional Rail trains, Market Frankford and Broad Street Line subways, Trolley Lines, and Buses during a storm.

Twitter handle information for your Route or Line is available on the Customized Twitter Service Feeds page or click on the links below to follow general SEPTA Twitter accounts:

@SEPTA: For Alerts Only

@SEPTA_SOCIAL: Customer Service Specialists on duty to inform and assist

Safety During a Storm

Our primary concern is your safety.

Use extreme caution when boarding and departing vehicles during inclement weather

Dress appropriately for the weather

Allow for extra travel time in the event of delays due to inclement weather

Click here for general safety tips.

Preparation for winter weather conditions includes stockpiling several tons of salt and equipment such as snowplows, front-end loaders and salt spreaders. During a snowstorm or ice emergency, crews clear equipment and facilities and make sure vehicles are ready for service.

If the weather becomes too severe for regular operation of any route or service, SEPTA will announce the suspension of service one hour before the scheduled time service ends. Information will immediately be sent to news outlets and posted throughout official SEPTA web communications, including System Status, Twitter and the official SEPTA apps for iPhone and Android devices.

Regional Rail

Regional Rail Winter Storm Service Plan

In the event of a severe winter storm, the Regional Rail Winter Storm Service Plan may be placed into effect. The plan is designed to improve service coverage and help alleviate crush loads for customers trying to depart Center City during midday hours and to help maintain service in the event of a severe storm.

How do I know if this plan will be in effect? Customers should check System Status, follow official @SEPTA Twitter accounts, listen for platform announcements at your station, and stay tuned to local media outlets for the latest service information.

Snow removal plan for station platforms & parking

Frozen switches and ice on overhead wires or pantographs (the electrical poles on top of rail cars) can delay or shut down Regional Rail service. Maintenance crews work to keep the corridor between Center City Philadelphia and Lansdale open so we can continue to provide service on the main branch if frozen switches prevent trains from operating on other lines. On the Wilmington/Newark Line, Paoli/Thorndale Line and Trenton Line, Amtrak is the owner of the tracks we travel on, so SEPTA must work with Amtrak to resolve weather-related problems.

Subway Lines

The Broad Street Line and Market-Frankford Line are best bets for riders during severe winter storms. We keep the cars ready for service by storing them overnight in tunnels and maintenance car houses and we assign crews to keep station entrances, platforms and sidewalks clean of ice and snow.

Bus Routes & Trolley Lines

During a winter snow or ice emergency, SEPTA will attempt to operate all bus service, although a large number of routes may be detoured. We will attempt to maintain service without detours on our most heavily used routes, which generally operate over streets that have been given a high priority for snow removal.

CCT Connect

Depending on road conditions, full CCT service may be provided in some areas, while limited or no service may be provided in others. During extreme weather conditions when CCT service is suspended, every effort will be made to continue service for kidney dialysis and other urgent, critically-needed medical treatment.