Commuters rushing through crowded subway car with festive sweaters and umbrellas amid holiday decorations and snow outside

SEPTA Announces Holiday Schedule Changes for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

If you’re planning to use SEPTA this holiday season, be ready for a few schedule changes that could impact your commute.

Christmas Eve Service Overview

On Wednesday, December 24, SEPTA will adjust its service for Christmas Eve. Metro and Regional Rail will operate on a regular weekday schedule. Bus routes will follow a modified weekday schedule for select lines. All other bus routes will maintain weekday levels of service and will not offer school trips.

Metro and Regional Rail on Christmas Eve

The Metro system will run trains according to the standard weekday timetable used from Monday through Friday. Regional Rail lines will also follow the same weekday schedule, ensuring consistent frequency and timing for commuters. Riders can rely on the familiar schedule for planning their trips.

Bus Route Modifications on Christmas Eve

Certain bus routes will operate on a modified weekday schedule, meaning changes to frequency or stops are possible. The remaining bus routes will continue to run at weekday service levels. No school trips will be available on any bus route during this holiday.

Commuters of all ages rushing during rush hour to catch SEPTA trains with clock faces and schedules visible in the background

Christmas Day Service Overview

On Thursday, December 25, SEPTA will shift its service to a Sunday schedule. Metro and all bus routes will follow the standard Sunday timetable, which typically features reduced frequency and altered routes compared to weekdays.

Metro and Buses on Sunday Schedule

The Sunday schedule applies to all Metro lines and bus services. This schedule includes fewer trains and buses per hour than the regular weekday schedule. Riders should check the timetable for specific times and routes.

Bus Route 204 Cancellation

Bus route 204 will not run on Christmas Day. Passengers who normally use this route should plan alternative transportation or check other routes for service.

Cynwyd Line Suspension

There will be no service on the Cynwyd Line on Christmas Day. Riders who rely on this line should look for alternative options or wait until after the holiday.

Regional Rail Special Schedules

All Regional Rail lines will operate on special Christmas schedules. Detailed changes for each line are available through a link on SEPTA’s website. Riders should consult the PDF timetables for exact times.

SEPTA Customer Service Hours

Customer service will be open on Christmas Eve from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. On Christmas Day, service hours shift to 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Riders can call or visit the website for assistance during these times.

Festibuses

SEPTA will also feature Festibuses, decorated vehicles that roam neighborhoods to bring holiday cheer. These buses will pick up passengers through Wednesday, December 31. The locations and times of the Festibuses can be tracked on https://festibuses.septa.mobi/.

Key Takeaways

  • Metro and Regional Rail run regular weekday schedules on Christmas Eve.
  • All Metro and bus services shift to Sunday schedules on Christmas Day, with route 204 canceled.
  • Customer service hours change to 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve and 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Christmas Day.

Closing

Plan ahead and review the updated timetables on SEPTA’s website to ensure a smooth holiday commute. Safe travels from the entire SEPTA team.

Author

  • Michael A. Turner

    I’m Michael A. Turner, a Philadelphia-based journalist with a deep-rooted passion for local reporting, government accountability, and community storytelling. For more than a decade, I’ve covered the people, policies, and institutions that shape life across the Philadelphia region. I believe strong local journalism is the backbone of a healthy democracy, and my work is driven by that belief every single day.

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