Route of the Week - 52
December 5, 2016
This week we’ll be taking a closer look at SEPTA’s Route 52. The Route 52 is a bus route that operates in West Philadelphia, serving Kingsessing, Wynnefield, Bala, and Gladwyne. The Route 52 runs between 49th & Woodland and 54th & City or 50th & Parkside. The Route 52 also runs limited weekday service to Gladwyne during peak hours, totaling eight trips per day.
Each day, the Route 52 carries 15,370 passengers and makes 336 trips. It’s one way route average is 5.8. The Route 52 is a night owl route, running 24 hours a day every day of the week. Each day, the Route 52 makes 30 night owl trips. The Route 52’s home when it isn’t transporting passengers is Callowhill Depot, located in West Philadelphia. Callowhill Depot is a bus and trolley barn owned by SEPTA where vehicles are cleaned, repaired, and stored.
The Route 52 was a streetcar route called the Route 70 until May 28, 1955, when buses replaced streetcars. On September 6, 1964, the bus route became known as the Route 52, since is operates on 52nd Street in West Philadelphia.
The Route 52 connects with the Media/Elwyn Regional Rail Line at 49th Street Station. There are a number of schools along the 52’s route, including West Philadelphia High School, West Catholic, and Beeber Middle School. The Route 52 also loops around Saint Joseph’s University, so it’s a great way to get to campus for students, faculty, employees, or visitors. If you need to do some shopping, the Route 52 stops in Park West Town Center, which has a Lowe’s, Shoprite, GameStop, and more.
Whether you’re headed to class, work, or just need to run some errands, hop the Route 52 and let SEPTA do the driving!
