by Navy Yard
May 29, 2026
Categories: Press Releases,
New transit connection expected to launch in August 2026 with daily service, expanding access for employees, residents, and visitors to the historic Philadelphia community
PIDC, Philadelphia’s public-private economic development corporation and master developer and operator of the Navy Yard, today welcomed Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA)’s recent approval of the extension of the 45 bus route to the Navy Yard. Service is anticipated to begin in August 2026, with buses expected to operate daily at approximately 20-minute intervals, bringing regular and reliable, seven-day-a-week SEPTA service directly to the Navy Yard for the first time in over a decade. Enhancing public transit options for the Navy Yard’s 16,000 employees and growing community of residents has been an important shared goal for SEPTA, PIDC, and the City of Philadelphia, and this represents an important and transformative step in that process.
Approved as part of SEPTA’s New Bus Network initiative, the extension will provide a direct one-seat SEPTA bus connection between Center City, South Philadelphia neighborhoods, and the Navy Yard, expanding access for employees, residents, patients, and visitors. The expansion of SEPTA’s Route 45 service will augment connectivity between the Navy Yard and SEPTA’s Broad Street Line, which is currently provided by PIDC’s Navy Yard Transit shuttle service.
Home to more than 16,000 employees and 150 businesses, the Navy Yard has over $12.5 billion of investment and development in progress, and continues to grow as a major center for shipbuilding, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, and professional services in Philadelphia. This sustained growth is projected to more than double employment at the Navy Yard to over 32,000.
“The Navy Yard continues to evolve into a more connected, accessible, and vibrant destination for employees, residents, patients, and visitors alike,” said Kate McNamara, Executive Vice President of the Navy Yard, PIDC. “Improved transit access is an important step toward supporting the neighborhood’s growth as a dynamic, 24/7 hub where people can work, innovate, gather, and experience everything the Navy Yard has to offer. This extension will create more convenient and sustainable ways for people to access the Navy Yard while strengthening connections across the city and region.”
The approved extension follows SEPTA’s multi-year bus network redesign process, which evaluated a range of factors including current ridership patterns, projected population and employment growth across key neighborhoods and economic centers, and opportunities to improve service frequency for more consistent and efficient travel.
“SEPTA is excited to deliver bus service directly into the Navy Yard with an extended Route 45 under the New Bus Network initiative,” said SEPTA General Manager Scott A. Sauer. “The Navy Yard is one of our region’s fastest-growing employment and residential centers, and New Bus Network is designed to bolster frequent and reliable service to exactly these types of high-demand areas. We will be reaching out to current and future riders with an extensive educational campaign over the summer as we prepare to implement the first phase of changes in late August.”
Leading up to the route launch, the Navy Yard plans to work alongside SEPTA and local partners on rider education and awareness efforts designed to help employees, visitors, and community members understand and utilize the new service. Additional details regarding service timelines, stop locations, route maps, and launch activities will be announced as implementation progresses.
For more information, visit septa.org/initiatives/bus. To stay updated on transit access to the Navy Yard and other news, visit navyyard.org.
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About PIDC & the Navy Yard
PIDC is Philadelphia’s citywide public-private economic development corporation, founded in 1958 by the City of Philadelphia and the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia. As a nonprofit, PIDC drives investment, supports business growth, and fosters developments that create jobs, revitalize neighborhoods, and drive growth to every corner of Philadelphia.
PIDC is also the master developer of the Navy Yard, leading its planning, development, and operations. The Navy Yard is widely recognized as one of the country’s most successful redevelopments of a former military base, and today it is a thriving riverfront community in South Philadelphia. With more than 16,000 current employees, plus up to 14,000 more expected from future planned development as well as through maritime industry growth, 150+ companies, 8.9 million square feet of mixed-use development, and $6 billion in new investment, the Navy Yard is poised for transformative growth. The Navy Yard is also home to 20+ acres of parks, dining options, public art, and a variety of outdoor events.
For more information about PIDC, visit PIDCphila.com and follow us at @PIDCphila on X, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. For more information about the Navy Yard, visit NavyYard.org and follow us at @NavyYardPhila on Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.
MEDIA CONTACT
The Navy Yard:
Jacqueline Tammaro
Director of Marketing & Communications of the Navy Yard, PIDC
jtammaro@pidcphila.com