B (SEPTA Metro)

{{Short description|Subway line in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania}} {{Redirect|Broad Street Line|the London railroad line sometimes called the "Broad Street branch"|North London Line City Branch}} {{Use American English|date=February 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}} {{Infobox rail line | name = 50px | image = BSL Express 4-16-24.jpg | image_width = 300px | caption = An express train at Walnut–Locust station in 2024 | type = Rapid transit | system = SEPTA Metro | status = Operational | locale = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | start = {{plainlist| * {{ric|SEPTA Metro|B1}}{{nbsp}}NRG Station * {{ric|SEPTA Metro|B2}}{{nbsp}}Walnut–Locust * {{ric|SEPTA Metro|B3}}{{nbsp}}8th–Market * {{hr}} * {{ric|SEPTA Metro|B1}}{{nbsp}}{{ric|SEPTA Metro|B2}}{{nbsp}}{{ric|SEPTA Metro|B3}}{{nbsp}}Fern Rock T.C. * {{ric|SEPTA Metro|B3}}{{nbsp}}Olney T.C. (weekdays, partial) }} | stations = 24 | routes = {{plainlist| * {{ric|SEPTA Metro|B1}}{{nbsp}}Local * {{ric|SEPTA Metro|B2}}{{nbsp}}Express * {{ric|SEPTA Metro|B3}}{{nbsp}}Spur }} | daily_ridership = 79,155 ({{abbr|FY|Fiscal year}} 2023)<ref name="ridership">{{cite web | title=Route Operating Statistics | url=https://public.tableau.com/shared/D9P89XMFT | access-date=May 6, 2024}}</ref> | website = {{URL|https://www.septa.org/schedules/B}} | open = {{start date|1928|09|01}} | lastextension = April 8, 1973 | close = | owner = City of Philadelphia | operator = 1928–39: Philadelphia Rapid Transit Co. 1940–68: Philadelphia Transportation Co. 1968–present: SEPTA | character = Underground and surface | depot = Fern Rock Transit Center | stock = Kawasaki B-IV Subway trains | linelength = {{convert|12.5|mi|km|1|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Broad Street Subway |url=http://web.presby.edu/~jtbell/transit/Philadelphia/Broad |access-date=January 22, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050208193312/http://web.presby.edu/~jtbell/transit/Philadelphia/Broad/ |archive-date=February 8, 2005 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | tracklength = | tracks = 2–4 | gauge = {{RailGauge|ussg|allk=on}} | minradius = | electrification = {{600 V DC|conductor=third rail}} | speed = | elevation = | map = {{switcher |{{maplink-road|from=Broad Street Line.map}} |Show interactive map |{{B (SEPTA Metro)}} |Show route diagram map }} | map_state = }}

The '''B''',{{efn|Conventions for line names state they are to be referred to by letter only (i.e. "the B", not "the B line")<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wwww.septa.org/metro/unification-reorganization/|title=SEPTA Metro: Unification and Reorganization|publisher=SEPTA|access-date=May 18, 2024}}</ref>}} formerly known as the '''Broad Street Line''' ('''BSL'''),{{efn|Also known as the '''Broad Street Subway''' or the '''Orange Line'''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://iseptaphilly.com/marketfrankford-broadstreetlines |title=How to Ride – Market–Frankford and Broad Street Lines |publisher=I SEPTA Philly |access-date=February 13, 2020}}</ref>}} is a rapid transit line in the SEPTA Metro network in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. The line runs primarily north–south under Broad Street from the Fern Rock Transit Center in North Philadelphia through Center City Philadelphia to NRG Station at Pattison Avenue in South Philadelphia. The Ridge spur follows Ridge Avenue between Fairmount Avenue and Market Street.

The line, which is entirely underground except for the northern terminus at Fern Rock, has four tracks in a local/express configuration from Fern Rock to Walnut–Locust and two tracks in the southern portion. With about 115,000 boardings<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 2019 |title=Fiscal Year 2020 Annual Service Plan |url=http://septa.org/strategic-plan/reports/FY%202020%20Annual%20Service%20Plan-update.WEB.pdf |access-date=September 27, 2020 |website=SEPTA |archive-date=August 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827224154/http://septa.org/strategic-plan/reports/FY%202020%20Annual%20Service%20Plan-update.WEB.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref> on an average weekday in 2019, it is the second-busiest route in the SEPTA system.

==Route and services== The B runs in the '''Broad Street Subway''', which runs north–south under Broad Street between NRG Station at Pattison Avenue in South Philadelphia and Olney Transit Center at Olney Avenue in Logan. North of Olney Avenue, the line curves east to Fern Rock Transit Center, the only surface-level station on the line. Between Lombard–South station and just west of Fern Rock, the subway is quadrupled-tracked with inner express tracks and outer local tracks. Express stations have two island platforms serving all four tracks, while local stations have two side platforms serving only the outer tracks. South of Walnut-Locust and at Fern Rock, the line has two tracks and single island platforms. The two-track '''Broad–Ridge Spur''' splits from the Broad Street Subway at Fairmount station and runs southeast under Ridge Avenue and 8th Street to 8th Street station.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://iseptaphilly.com/blog/broadridgespur |title=Route of the Week – Broad–Ridge Spur |publisher=SEPTA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180525235821/http://iseptaphilly.com/blog/broadridgespur |archive-date=May 25, 2018 |date=2018}}</ref>

The B has three services:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.septa.org/schedules/B |title=B Broad Street Line |access-date=March 21, 2026 |publisher=SEPTA}}</ref> *'''B1''' service operates local between Fern Rock and NRG Station serving all 22 stops. It operates daily between approximately 5:00 am and midnight, with replacement bus service operating during overnight hours. B1 service, including bus service, operates every 15 minutes or better at all times except during the first and last hours of rail service on weekends. On weekdays, service operates every 8 minutes or better between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm. Scheduled running time is about 40 minutes. *'''B2''' service operates express between Fern Rock and Walnut–Locust station, serving only eight stops. It operates only on weekdays from approximately 6:00–10:00 am and 2:00–6:00 pm. B2 service operates every 15 minutes or better during these times, with service every seven minutes or better at peak hours. Scheduled running time is about 20 minutes. '''B2 Special''' service is operated to serve events at the South Philadelphia Sports Complex; it makes no stops between Walnut-Locust and NRG. *'''B3''' service operates between Olney and 8th Street serving eight stops. It operates express in the Broad Street Subway and provides all Ridge Spur service. B3 service operates Monday–Saturday from approximately 6:00 am to 9:00 pm. Saturday service and a small number of weekday trains terminate at Fern Rock. Headways vary from every seven minutes at weekday peak hours to every 20 minutes on Saturdays. Scheduled running time is about 16–19 minutes.

==History== ===Construction=== alt=See caption.|thumb|left|The proposed Center City distribution loop of the Broad Street Line from the 1913 rapid transit development plan utilizing Arch Street, 8th Street, and Walnut Street. Service on the northern half of the B, between City Hall and Olney Avenue, opened on September{{nbsp}}1, 1928. While the original subway tunnel had been finished to just north of the present-day Lombard-South station, service to the Walnut–Locust station did not begin until 1930, and the Lombard-South station entered service in 1932. Service from that point south to Snyder Avenue began on September{{nbsp}}18, 1938. Service to a new park-and-ride station built next to the Fern Rock shops began in 1956, and the line was extended further south to Pattison Avenue in 1973 to serve the recently completed Sports Complex.<ref name="stations">{{cite web |title=Stations of The Broad Street Subway |url=http://web.presby.edu/~jtbell/transit/Philadelphia/Broad/stations.html |access-date=March 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010430052927/http://web.presby.edu/~jtbell/transit/Philadelphia/Broad/stations.html |archive-date=April 30, 2001 |date=March 1, 2009}}</ref>

Although the Broad Street subway was originally planned in the 1920s to be a 4-track facility for its entire length (Fern Rock portal to Snyder), the tunnel was built with provision for 4 tracks only from the portal to just north of Lombard-South. At the time of opening, the outer 2 tracks were built along this length, whereas the inner 2 express tracks were built only in two sections, from the Fern Rock portal/shops to just south of Olney, and from Girard to their terminus just north of Lombard South. To close the gaps, the two inner express tracks were laid from Erie to Girard in 1959, and again from Olney to Erie in 1991.

From Lombard-South station south to Snyder, the tunnel was constructed differently – only the eastern half of the line was built. The track currently used for southbound trains is actually the northbound express track. The extension in 1973 to Pattison station (now called NRG Station) continued this arrangement. Space exists under the western half of Broad Street for the construction of the western half of the tunnel, which would include the remaining 2 tracks and additional island platforms for southbound local and express trains. The resulting infrastructure would match the configuration built in the northern half of the line.

Provisions for flying junctions exist in the tunnels at three locations: north of Olney station, north of Erie station, and between Tasker-Morris and Snyder stations. These were to connect to planned but never built extensions to the north, northeast, northwest and southwest. Tracks were laid in the upper levels of the flying junctions north of Olney and Erie; these have been used over the years to store out-of-service trains and as layover points for express and Ridge Spur trains. The NRG Station contains a lower-level platform (very narrow compared to the very wide upper-level platform), built to accommodate additional trains for large crowds at sporting events. Seldom used for passenger service in recent years, these tracks are most often used to store rolling stock and work trains.

The line and its trains were leased to SEPTA in 1968 after it assumed operation of the city transit systems from the former Philadelphia Transportation Company (PTC).<ref name=septahistory>{{cite web |last=SEPTA |url=http://www.septa.org/inside/history.html |title=SEPTA history |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070520115222/http://www.septa.org/inside/history.html |archive-date=May 20, 2007 }}</ref><ref name="studentvoices">{{cite web |url=http://student-voices.org/news/index.php?NewsID=33647 |title=Student Voices: Phila. threatens to seize subways from SEPTA |access-date=May 17, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216180542/http://student-voices.org/news/index.php?NewsID=33647 |archive-date=February 16, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The line ran 24 hours a day until 1991. Overnight service was reinstated on June{{nbsp}}20, 2014, for Friday and Saturday nights only on a trial basis. It was made permanent on October{{nbsp}}8, 2014.

====Ridge spur==== thumb|left|1916 map of Twinning's first plan In 1916, the director of the Philadelphia Department of City Transit, William S. Twinning, proposed scrapping the initial plan of building an elevated line along Woodland Avenue in Southwest Philadelphia that would connect onto the existing Market Street Subway-Elevated at 32nd Street. He proposed to replace it with a branch of the Broad Street Subway that would have split off at Broad and Federal Streets, continued along Federal Street before merging onto Greys Ferry Avenue until the Schuylkill River. It would then cross the Schuylkill to merge with Woodland Avenue and continue down Woodland and Island Avenues where the line would end.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Digital Collections: Subway & Elevated Lines for Suggested Unified Lines, 1916, map |url=https://libwww.freelibrary.org/digital/item/44151 |access-date=February 22, 2025 |website=Free Library of Philadelphia |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=A study and review of the problem of passenger transportation in Philadelphia, by a unified system of lines; an analysis of the plans proposed for its solution ... |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=hvd.32044031337181&seq=37 |access-date=February 22, 2025 |website=HathiTrust |language=en}}</ref>

Twinning had an alternate plan which would have split off from the Broad Street subway at Broad and Ridge and continued down Ridge avenue before merging southwards onto 8th Street, then turning west on Walnut Street where it would have continued under the Schuylkill River into West Philadelphia before turning southward on 42nd Street then finally turning onto Woodland Avenue where it would have continued to Island Avenue.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Digital Collections: Subway & Elevated Lines...Independent (Competitive) system, 1916, map |url=https://libwww.freelibrary.org/digital/item/44150 |access-date=February 22, 2025 |website=Free Library of Philadelphia |language=en-US}}</ref> This alternate plan was adopted by the city, which authorized the construction of the subway-elevated line to southwest Philadelphia in 1922.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Digital Collections: Diagram of Rapid Transit System as Authorized, 1923, map |url=https://libwww.freelibrary.org/digital/item/44159 |access-date=February 22, 2025 |website=Free Library of Philadelphia |language=en-US}}</ref>

Ridge spur service to 8th and Market streets began on December{{nbsp}}21, 1932.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71271924/the-philadelphia-inquirer/ |title=Ridge Ave. Subway to Run Tomorrow |date=December 20, 1932 |newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71271947/the-philadelphia-inquirer/ 6] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> As part of that project, a tunnel shell running south under 8th Street then west under Locust Street to 18th Street (reusing parts of the never-completed Center City loop constructed in 1917) was completed in 1933 but not outfitted for service.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71274759/the-philadelphia-inquirer/ |title=First Cash Riders Aboard As Locust Subway Opens |date=February 16, 1953 |page=21 |newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71267412/the-philadelphia-inquirer/ |title=Subway Bids Due for Work On Locust St |newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=April 10, 1950 |page=21 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Bridge Line service from 8th and Market to Camden began on June{{nbsp}}7, 1936, sharing the Ridge Spur platforms at 8th and Market and splitting off from the Ridge Spur just south of Chinatown station. In the 1940s, the Department of City Transit started to seriously consider finishing the subway to at least 49th and Woodland, but it was instead converted into an extension of the Bridge Line<ref>{{Cite web |title=Speed Lines to City and Suburbs |url=https://digital.hagley.org/08144710_speed_lines}}</ref>

thumb|right|Broad–Ridge Spur train at 8th and Market Beginning in June 1949, Ridge Spur and Bridge Line trains were through-routed at 8th and Market.<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71274217/the-philadelphia-inquirer/ |title=PTC to Link Camden and Girard Ave |date=June 23, 1949 |newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer |page=23 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The partially-built Locust Street tunnel was opened on February{{nbsp}}15, 1953; Bridge Line trains were extended to a new terminus at 15th–16th Street station with two intermediate stops, while Ridge Spur trains reverted to running between 8th Street and Girard.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71274929/the-philadelphia-inquirer/ |title=Mere 150 Miles of Cable Stalls Locust Subway Start |newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=January 5, 1953 |page=19 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71275209/courier-post/ |title=Beginning Sunday, February 15: New Highspeed Rail Service to and through Central Philadelphia via Bridge Line and Locust St. Subway (advertisement) |date=February 13, 1953 |author=Philadelphia Transportation Company |newspaper=Courier-Post |page=19 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In January 1954, due to low ridership, off-peak service and Saturday again began operating between Girard and Camden, with a shuttle train operating between 8th and 16th stations. Sunday service was suspended at that time due to minimal usage.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71275051/the-philadelphia-inquirer/ |title=Lack of Riders to Cut Service On Locust Street Subway: Full Shutdown On Sundays Listed by PTC |newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=January 6, 1954 |page=19 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Ridge Spur service was suspended from August{{nbsp}}23 to 27, 1968, as tracks were switched to a new upper-level terminal platform at 8th Street station to allow conversion of the 8th–Locust Street subway into the Lindenwold High-Speed Line (PATCO Speedline).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71258397/the-philadelphia-inquirer/ |title=Ridge Ave. Subway Halted for Weekend; Buses to Substitute |date=August 21, 1968 |page=41 |newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer |via=Newspaper.com}}</ref>

The Ridge Spur was closed from February 1981 to September{{nbsp}}6, 1983, during construction of the Center City Commuter Connection.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71267663/the-philadelphia-inquirer/ |title=Praise, confusion greet reopening of subway spur |first=Sara |last=Kennedy |date=September 7, 1983 |page=6B |via=Newspapers.com |newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer}}</ref> Spring Garden station, by then exit-only, was closed on September{{nbsp}}10, 1989, due to safety concerns.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71271252/the-philadelphia-inquirer/ |title=SEPTA to close Ridge Ave. stop |date=July 27, 1989 |page=24 |newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71271263/philadelphia-daily-news/ |title=Subway Station Closed for Good |page=16 |date=September 11, 1989 |newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Never drawing high ridership, the spur has been proposed for closure on several occasions. The 2014 closure of the Gallery Mall, adjacent to 8th and Market station, caused ridership on the spur to drop by 25%.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://billypenn.com/2019/08/29/new-hope-for-the-lonely-broad-ridge-spur-part-of-the-center-city-loop-that-never-was/ |title=New hope for lonely Broad–Ridge Spur, part of the Center City Loop that never was |date=August 29, 2019 |newspaper=Billy Penn |first=Michaela |last=Winberg |access-date=February 16, 2021}}</ref> {{clear left}}

===21st century=== thumb|left|A B1 train bound for NRG Station arrives at Lombard–South station During early 2020, the line operated "Lifeline Service" due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Pennsylvania. From April 2020, trains bypassed the {{stn|Logan}}, {{stn|Wyoming||SEPTA}}, {{stn|Susquehanna–Dauphin}}, {{stn|Fairmount||SEPTA}}, {{stn|Spring Garden||Broad Street Line}}, {{stn|Chinatown||SEPTA}}, {{stn|Lombard–South}}, and {{stn|Tasker–Morris}} stations. Overnight service was again replaced by buses. All stations were reopened by July 2020.<ref name="covid">{{cite web|date=April 2020|title=SEPTA Transit Network Lifeline Service Schedule|url=http://www.septa.org/covid-19/img/2020-covid-service-map.pdf|access-date=April 14, 2020|publisher=SEPTA|archive-date=April 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200416084044/http://septa.org/covid-19/img/2020-covid-service-map.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In September 2021, SEPTA proposed updating wayfinding across the SEPTA Rail Transit network, rebranding their rail transit service as "SEPTA Metro". Under the proposal, services along the Broad Street line would be rebranded as the "B" lines with an orange color. Each service utilizing the trunk would receive a numeric suffix. Local service would be known as the B1 Broad Street Local, the express and special service as the B2 Broad Street Express and B2 Express Sport Special, and the Broad–Ridge Spur as the B3 Broad–Ridge Express.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Vitarelli|first1=Alicia|author2=Staff|title=SEPTA Metro? Transit agency mulling big changes including new name, map, and signage|publisher=WPVI-TV|location=Philadelphia, PA|date=September 7, 2021|url=https://6abc.com/septa-transportation-public-transit-navigation-city-commuting/11007031/|access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref><ref name=wayfinding>{{cite web|title=Wayfinding Recommendations|publisher=SEPTA|url=https://planning.septa.org/projects/wayfinding-master-plan/recommendations/|access-date=September 7, 2021|archive-date=September 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210907141259/https://planning.septa.org/projects/wayfinding-master-plan/recommendations/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Following public feedback, SEPTA revised the Wayfinding Master Plan. Rather than being referred to as the B Lines, the Broad Street line become the "B". Express and special services became simply "B2", local became "B1" and the Broad–Ridge Spur became "B3", with signage letting riders know whether a train terminates at Walnut–Locust or NRG Station. Additionally, SEPTA stated they would pilot neighborhood maps in stations and prioritize the deployment of real-time information signage and on mobile apps.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Design Concept Feedback |url=https://planning.septa.org/design-concept-feedback/ |access-date=March 18, 2022 |website=planning.septa.org}}</ref> The Broad Street Line was renamed as the B on February 24, 2025.<ref name=":2">{{cite web |last=Heisey |first=Jessica |date=February 3, 2025 |title=SEPTA changes route designation system |url=https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/southeastern-pa/septa-changes-route-designation-system/article_79c255d8-e249-11ef-b5d6-47d0679ff2e6.html |access-date=February 7, 2025 |website=WFMZ.com}}</ref> {{clear left}}

===Proposed extensions=== ====Roosevelt Boulevard==== {{Main|Roosevelt Boulevard Subway}} Both the City of Philadelphia and SEPTA have studied extending the B along Roosevelt Boulevard, in order to serve a growing population in the northeast section of the city. The city government's archives contain a survey report, prepared in 1948, discussing a need for an extension of the B from Erie Avenue to the vicinity of Pennypack Circle (see Roosevelt Boulevard).<ref name=cityarchive>[http://www.phila.gov/phils/docs/Inventor/textonly/archser/S069.htm City archive on BSS]</ref> Subway car destination signage even included station and terminus names for major streets along Roosevelt Boulevard such as Rhawn Street, in the newer "South Broad" cars. An expansion into another part of the city could better use the capacity of the four-track trunk line.<ref>{{cite web |last=Pennsylvania Transit Expansion Coalition (PA-TEC) |url=http://www.blvdsubway.pa-tec.org/ |title=Broad Street Line – Boulevard Extension |access-date=February 17, 2011 |archive-date=March 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320142232/http://www.blvdsubway.pa-tec.org/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 1964, the city proposed a {{convert|9|mi|km|spell=in|adj=mid}}, $94{{nbsp}}million extension of the then-Broad Street line along Roosevelt Blvd. in conjunction with a new Northeast Expressway to be built by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Development was limited to the building of one subway station by Sears, Roebuck and Company in 1967, at its complex on Roosevelt Boulevard at Adams Avenue, at the cost of $1{{nbsp}}million, in anticipation of future service. This station was destroyed when the facility was demolished in October 1994.<ref name=secrets>{{cite web |url=http://www.whyy.org/tv12/secrets/subway.html |title=Secrets Beneath the Streets |access-date=August 23, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050829185812/http://www.whyy.org/tv12/secrets/subway.html |archive-date=August 29, 2005 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Ultimately the Northeast Expressway was never built, due to lack of funds, and the subway extension remained a paper concept.

On September{{nbsp}}10, 1999, SEPTA filed a Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Northeast Extension with the EPA.<ref name="FTA-FHA Cite">{{cite journal|title=Environmental Impact Statement on Transportation Improvements Within the Roosevelt Boulevard Corridor in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|journal=Federal Register|date=September 10, 1999|volume=64|issue=175|pages=49271–49273|url=http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-1999-09-10/html/99-23615.htm|access-date=May 10, 2015}}</ref> In December 2001, the Philadelphia City Planning Commission supported extending the then-Broad Street Line along Roosevelt Blvd. to Bustleton Avenue, where it would be joined by the then-Market–Frankford Line (L), extended from its Frankford terminal (now the rebuilt Frankford Transit Center). The estimated cost had increased to $3.4{{nbsp}}billion.{{cn|date=April 2026}}

====Philadelphia Naval Yard==== Currently, the B terminates southbound at NRG Station at Pattison Avenue and three major stadiums. With the redevelopment of the Philadelphia Naval Yard directly to the south, a Health Impact Assessment report was issued in March 2012 to determine if extending the line to the Naval Yard would be a viable option for commuters. It determined that extending the line to the Naval Yard would more than halve the number of private cars commuting back and forth, with the remainder taking the proposed subway line and/or using a bicycle sidepath. The HIA recommends making an extension of the B a priority, and recently, the extension has garnered much support.<ref>

{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Sandy |date=November 16, 2015 |title=Navy Yard Subway Extension Update: Funding for New Feasibility Study Secured |url=https://www.phillymag.com/news/2015/11/16/navy-yard-subway-extension-study/ |website=phillymag.com |location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204150056/https://www.phillymag.com/news/2015/11/16/navy-yard-subway-extension-study/|archive-date=December 4, 2019| access-date=November 2, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://phila2035.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/LS_HIA_FINAL.pdf |title=LOWER SOUTH DISTRICT HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENT: Summary Report |date=March 2012 |publisher=Philadelphia City Planning Commission |access-date=June 14, 2012 |archive-date=July 10, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140710052454/http://phila2035.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/LS_HIA_FINAL.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

A March 2019 study, created by HNTB for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and SEPTA, analyzed three potential alignments of extensions to the Navy Yard, as well as improved bus service. It recommended against pursuing federal funding for the project, as none of the subway alignments obtained the necessary rating to seek Federal Transit Administration funding due to low potential ridership.<ref>{{cite web |title=Broad Street Extension to the Philadelphia Navy Yard Phase 2 Feasibility Study Final Report |url=https://archive.org/details/2019-bsl-extension-study/page/98/mode/2up |publisher=HNTB |access-date=23 April 2026 |date=15 March 2019}}</ref> The report also recommended that more development at the Navy Yard, including housing, would boost ridership projections.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Laughlin |first1=Jason |title=Here’s what a Broad Street Line extension to the Navy Yard could look like |url=https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/broad-street-line-extension-rail-navy-yard-septa-subway-20190201.html |access-date=23 April 2026 |work=Inquirer.com |date=1 February 2019 |language=en}}</ref>

==Rolling stock== thumb|right|Interior of a Broad Street Line train The B uses a fleet of 125 "B-IV" cars built by Kawasaki in 1982. Maximum speed in regular service is {{convert|55|mph}}.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/docs/utc/287366/2017-utc-spotlight-conference-infrastructure-final-circular.pdf |pages=9–15 |chapter=Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority: Pushing Past Just Survival |first=Jeffery |last=Knueppel |title=Rebuilding and Retrofitting the Transportation Infrastructure: Summary of the 11th University Transportation Centers Spotlight Conference |editor-first=Kathleen L. |editor-last=Hancock |publisher=Transportation Research Board |issn=0097-8515 |date=January 2018}}</ref>{{rp|12}} The cars are {{convert|67|feet|6|in}} long, {{convert|10|ft|1.5|in}} wide, and {{convert|12|ft|3|in}} tall.

The original rolling stock for the Broad Street Subway was the B-1 cars built in 1926–27 by the J.G. Brill Company. The B-2 cars were built by Pressed Steel Car Company in 1938. From 1969 to 1984, former Bridge Line cars, built by Brill in 1936, were used on the line and designated B-3.

=== Preservation === * A small number of B-1, B-2, and B-3 historic cars remain stored in derelict condition within Fern Rock yard.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=nycsubway.org: SEPTA Broad Street Subway|url=https://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/SEPTA_Broad_Street_Subway|access-date=September 23, 2021|website=www.nycsubway.org}}</ref> * One B-1 car was sold and sent to the Trackside Brick Oven Pizzeria in Wallingford, Connecticut.<ref>{{Cite web|title=About|url=https://tracksidepizzeria.com/about|access-date=September 23, 2021|website=Trackside Brick Oven Pizzeria|language=en-US}}</ref> * One B-1 car (#55) is present at the Illinois Railway Museum.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=IRM Roster – Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority 55|url=https://www.irm.org/cgi-bin/rsearch.cgi?rapid=Southeastern+Pennsylvania+Transportation+Authority=55|access-date=September 23, 2021|website=www.irm.org}}</ref> * One B-3 car (#1009) is partially restored at the Rockhill Trolley Museum.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=March 3, 2011|title=Philadelphia Subway #1009 » Rockhill Trolley Museum|url=http://rockhilltrolley.org/philadelphia-subway-1009/|access-date=September 23, 2021|website=Rockhill Trolley Museum|language=en-US}}</ref> * Two B-3 cars (#1018, #1023) are at the Seashore Trolley Museum.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=SEPTA 1018|url=https://collection.trolleymuseum.org/browse.php?id=01018RPA|url-status=live|access-date=September 23, 2021|website=Seashore Trolley Museum|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923221729/https://collection.trolleymuseum.org/browse.php?id=01018RPA |archive-date=September 23, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=DELAWARE RIVER PORT AUTHORITY 1023|url=https://collection.trolleymuseum.org/browse.php?id=01023RPA|url-status=live|access-date=September 23, 2021|website=Seashore Trolley Museum|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923221734/https://collection.trolleymuseum.org/browse.php?id=01023RPA |archive-date=September 23, 2021 }}</ref>

==Stations== All stations are located in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

{{sort under}} {|class="wikitable sortable sort-under" style="text-align:left;" !Neighborhood !Station !25px !25px !25px !class=unsortable|Connections !Weekday ridership (2018)<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 2019|title=Fiscal Year 2020 Annual Service Plan|url=http://septa.org/strategic-plan/reports/FY%202020%20Annual%20Service%20Plan-update.WEB.pdf|access-date=September 27, 2020|website=SEPTA}}</ref> !class=unsortable| Notes |- |Fern Rock |{{stl|SEPTA Metro|Fern Rock Transit Center}} {{Access icon}} | align="center"|● | align="center"|● | align="center"|● |{{rint|septa}} SEPTA Regional Rail: {{ric|SEPTA|Warminster}} {{ric|SEPTA|West Trenton}} {{ric|SEPTA|Lansdale/Doylestown}} {{rint|bus|1|link=SEPTA City Transit Division surface routes}} SEPTA City Bus: {{SEPTA bus link|4|28|57|70}} |4,498 | |- |rowspan=3|Logan |{{stl|SEPTA Metro|Olney Transit Center}} {{Access icon}} | align="center"|● | align="center"|● | align="center"|● |{{rint|bus|1|link=SEPTA City Transit Division surface routes}} SEPTA City Bus: {{SEPTA bus link|6|8|16|18|22|26|51|55|80}} |16,591 |Serves Jefferson Einstein Hospital and La Salle University

|- |{{stl|SEPTA Metro|Logan}} | align="center"|● | align="center"|│ | align="center"|│ |{{rint|bus|1|link=SEPTA City Transit Division surface routes}} SEPTA City Bus: {{SEPTA bus link|16|41}} |2,452 | |- |{{stl|SEPTA Metro|Wyoming}} | align="center"|● | align="center"|│ | align="center"|│ |{{rint|bus|1|link=SEPTA City Transit Division surface routes}} SEPTA City Bus: {{SEPTA bus link|16}} {{rint|trolley|link=Trolleybuses in Philadelphia}} SEPTA Trackless Trolley: {{SEPTA bus link|75}} |2,087 | |- |rowspan=2|Hunting Park |{{stl|SEPTA Metro|Hunting Park}} | align="center"|● | align="center"|│ | align="center"|│ |{{rint|bus|1|link=SEPTA City Transit Division surface routes}} SEPTA City Bus: {{SEPTA bus link|1|16|53|82}} |3,006 | |- |{{stl|SEPTA Metro|Erie}} | align="center"|● | align="center"|● | align="center"|● |{{rint|bus|1|link=SEPTA City Transit Division surface routes}} SEPTA City Bus: {{SEPTA bus link|16|23|53|56|71|81}} |7,750 |Serves Temple University Hospital

|- |rowspan=2|Glenwood |{{stl|SEPTA Metro|Broad–Allegheny}} {{Access icon}} | align="center"|● | align="center"|│ | align=center|│ |{{rint|bus|1|link=SEPTA City Transit Division surface routes}} SEPTA City Bus: {{SEPTA bus link|4|16|60}} |3,842 |Serves Kornberg School of Dentistry

|- |{{stl|SEPTA Metro|North Philadelphia}} {{Access icon}} | align="center"|● | align="center"|│ | align="center"|● |{{rint|us|amtrak}} Amtrak: Northeast and Keystone Corridor services (at {{stl|Amtrak|North Philadelphia}}) {{rint|septa}} SEPTA Regional Rail: {{ric|SEPTA|Trenton}} {{ric|SEPTA|CHW}} (at {{stl|SEPTA Metro|North Philadelphia}}), {{ric|SEPTA|LAN}} {{ric|SEPTA|Manayunk/Norristown}} (at {{stl|SEPTA Metro|North Broad}}) {{rint|bus|1|link=SEPTA City Transit Division surface routes}} SEPTA City Bus: {{SEPTA bus link|4|16|54}} |4,168 | |- |rowspan=2|Cecil B. Moore |{{stl|SEPTA Metro|Susquehanna–Dauphin}} {{Access icon}} | align="center"|● | align="center"|│ | align="center"|│ |{{rint|bus|1|link=SEPTA City Transit Division surface routes}} SEPTA City Bus: {{SEPTA bus link|4|16|39}} |3,392 |Originally named Dauphin-Susquehanna

|- |{{stl|SEPTA Metro|Cecil B. Moore}} {{Access icon}} | align="center"|● | align="center"|│ | align="center"|│ |{{rint|bus|1|link=SEPTA City Transit Division surface routes}} SEPTA City Bus: {{SEPTA bus link|3|4|16}} |7,375 |Serves Temple University Originally named Columbia Avenue |- |rowspan=2|Francisville |{{stl|SEPTA Metro|Broad–Girard}} {{Access icon}} | align="center"|● | align="center"|● | align="center"|● |{{ric|SEPTA Metro|name=y}}: {{ric|SEPTA Metro|G|name=}} {{rint|bus|1|link=SEPTA City Transit Division surface routes}} SEPTA City Bus: {{SEPTA bus link|4|16}} |4,009 | |- |{{stl|SEPTA Metro|Fairmount}} | align="center"|● | align="center"|│ | align="center"|● |{{rint|bus|1|link=SEPTA City Transit Division surface routes}} SEPTA City Bus: {{SEPTA bus link|4|16|61}} |2,156 | |-style="background:lightsilver" |Callowhill |bgcolor="lightgray"|''Spring Garden'' |rowspan="3" colspan="2" style="background: black; color: white;" align=center|B3 only |bgcolor="lightgray" align="center"|│ |bgcolor="lightgray"| |bgcolor="lightgray"| |bgcolor="lightgray"|''Closed since 1989'' |- |Chinatown ||{{stl|SEPTA Metro|Chinatown}} | align="center"|● |{{rint|bus|1|link=SEPTA City Transit Division surface routes}} SEPTA City Bus: {{SEPTA bus link|47|47m|61}} {{small|(all south)}} {{rint|bus|link=NJ Transit Bus}} NJ Transit Bus: {{NJ bus link|317|400|401|402|404|406|408|409|410|412|551}} {{small|(at Vine St & 8th St)}} |322 |Originally named Vine

|- |Market East ||{{stl|SEPTA Metro|8th–Market}} {{Access icon}} | align="center"|● |{{ric|SEPTA Metro|name=y}}: {{ric|SEPTA Metro|L|name=}} 17px|link=Delaware River Port Authority DRPA: {{rint|philadelphia|patco}} {{rint|bus|1|link=SEPTA City Transit Division surface routes}} SEPTA City Bus: {{SEPTA bus link|17|33|38}} {{small|(west)}}, {{SEPTA bus link|44|47}} {{small|(south)}}, {{SEPTA bus link|47m}} {{small|(south)}}, {{SEPTA bus link|61|62}} {{rint|bus|link=NJ Transit Bus}} NJ Transit Bus: {{NJ bus link|313|315|316|317|400|401|402|404|406|408|409|410|412|414|417|551|555}} |2,254 |Originally named Market Street

|- |rowspan=2|Chinatown |Broad–Spring Garden {{Access icon}} | align="center"|● | align="center"|● |bgcolor="black" rowspan="10"| |{{rint|bus|1|link=SEPTA City Transit Division surface routes}} SEPTA City Bus: {{SEPTA bus link|4|16|43}} |7,462 |Serves the Community College of Philadelphia

|- |{{stl|SEPTA Metro|Race–Vine}} {{Access icon}} | align="center"|● | align="center"|● |{{rint|bus|1|link=SEPTA City Transit Division surface routes}} SEPTA City Bus: {{SEPTA bus link|4|16|27}} {{rint|bus|link=NJ Transit Bus}} NJ Transit Bus: {{NJ bus link|317|400|401|402|404|406|408|409|410|412|551}} |3,226 |Serves the Pennsylvania Convention Center

|- |Center City |{{stl|SEPTA Metro|15th Street/City Hall}} | align="center"|● | align="center"|● |{{rint|septa}} SEPTA Regional Rail: ''all lines'' {{small|(at Suburban Station)}} {{ric|SEPTA Metro|name=y}}: {{ric|SEPTA Metro|L|name=}} {{ric|SEPTA Metro|T|name=}} {{rint|bus|1|link=SEPTA City Transit Division surface routes}} SEPTA City Bus: {{SEPTA bus link|4|16|17|27|31|32|33|38|44|48|62|78}} {{rint|bus|link=SEPTA Suburban Division bus routes}} SEPTA Suburban Bus: {{SEPTA bus link|124|125}} |30,506 |Located in the Downtown Link concourse

|- |rowspan=2|Washington Square West |{{stl|SEPTA Metro|Walnut–Locust}} {{Access icon}} | align="center"|● | align="center"|● |17px|link=Delaware River Port Authority DRPA: {{rint|philadelphia|patco}} {{small|(at {{stl|PATCO|15–16th & Locust}} and {{stl|PATCO|12–13th & Locust}})}} {{rint|bus|1|link=SEPTA City Transit Division surface routes}} SEPTA City Bus: {{SEPTA bus link|4|9|12|16|21|27|32|38}} {{small|(east)}}, {{SEPTA bus link|42}} |7,633 |Serves the Kimmel Center and Academy of Music

|- |{{stl|SEPTA Metro|Lombard–South}} | align="center"|● | align="center"|│

|{{rint|bus|1|link=SEPTA City Transit Division surface routes}} SEPTA City Bus: {{SEPTA bus link|4|27|32|40}} |2,915 |Serves Peirce College, and Graduate Hospital |- |rowspan=5|South Philadelphia |{{stl|SEPTA Metro|Ellsworth–Federal}} | align="center"|● | align="center"|│ |{{rint|bus|1|link=SEPTA City Transit Division surface routes}} SEPTA City Bus: {{SEPTA bus link|4|64}} |3,715 |Serves the Italian Market

|- |{{stl|SEPTA Metro|Tasker–Morris}} {{Access icon}} | align="center"|● | align="center"|│ |{{rint|bus|1|link=SEPTA City Transit Division surface routes}} SEPTA City Bus: {{SEPTA bus link|4|29}} |4,505 | |- |{{stl|SEPTA Metro|Snyder}} | align="center"|● | align="center"|│ |{{rint|bus|1|link=SEPTA City Transit Division surface routes}} SEPTA City Bus: {{SEPTA bus link|4|37|79}} |5,500 |Serves Methodist Hospital

|- |{{stl|SEPTA Metro|Oregon}} {{Access icon}} | align="center"|● | align="center"|│ |{{rint|bus|1|link=SEPTA City Transit Division surface routes}} SEPTA City Bus: {{SEPTA bus link|4|7|45|63|68}} |4,045 |Serves Marconi Plaza

|- |{{stl|SEPTA Metro|NRG Station}} {{Access icon}} | align="center"|● | align="center"|{{efn|B2 Special only}} |{{rint|bus|1|link=SEPTA City Transit Division surface routes}} SEPTA City Bus: {{SEPTA bus link|4|17}} |1,541 |Serves the South Philadelphia Sports Complex Originally named Pattison and later AT&T |}

==References== {{reflist}}

===Notes=== {{notelist}}

==External links== {{Attached KML |display=title,inline}} {{Commons category-inline}} * [https://www.septa.org/schedules/B B] on SEPTA website * [http://world.nycsubway.org/us/phila/broadstreet.html World.nycsubway.org: Philadelphia: SEPTA Broad Street Subway]

andnbsp; Category:600 V DC railway electrification Category:Arch Street Category:Broad Street (Philadelphia) Category:Railway lines opened in 1928 Category:Standard-gauge railways in the United States Category:Underground rapid transit in the United States