We Rode Philadelphia's Worst Bus Route

[@blackman7437]

Ok, so after spending nearly an hour looking browsing Wikipedia articles, looking at historic SEPTA/PTC and looking at old satellite images, this is the best story I could come up with for the 89's existence: So the 89 was originally two separate routes. The Southern half that runs through Susquehanna/Dauphin in Kensington started off as PTC Route 8. The 8 was a trolley line that ran along Susquehanna-Dauphin along the same routing as the 39. The 8/39 split at York-Dauphin, with the 8 mainly continuing along York-Dauphin and turn around at Richmond and Norris St, an intersection that was demolished with the construction of the I-95. The 39 branched off to serve Huntington/Cumberland, so if you ever wondered why the 39 doesn't just go straight on York-Dauphin after the El, that's why. The Northern Juniata Park half of the route started off as another PTC-era route that ran between Arrott and Alleghany Stations. The routing between Alleghany and Arrott was similar to what it is now, except that the deviation to B St didn't exist. Around (what I think is) the 1970s, the 89 was introduced, which ran from Front-Erie to Venango-Balfour in front of the Tioga Marine Terminal via Venango and Tioga Streets. Now I couldn't find the map for any of this, but from what I could assume, at some point, SEPTA decided to merge the 89 and the P together. Apparently, when they merged the routes together, they didn't want any of the streets that the separated routes ran on to lose service. So, when forming the "new" 89 they added the deviation to B street onto the old route P because that street was served by the "old" 89. Since the P served Alleghany Station and the "old" 89 served Tioga Station, they just decided to have both stations served by the "new" 89 by just following the P route to Alleghany, and running the bus up Kensington to Venango. So most of Aramingo Av didn't exist until the mid-1950s. Around then, they extended Aramingo east of Westmoreland St past the Frankfort Creek into Northeast Philly and made it the stroad that we know and love today. However, the 25 didn't run on Aramingo until some point past 1976 (again, I couldn't find the map for this). From what I could assume, at some point they started running bus service up Aramingo and used the opportunity to connect the Northern half of the 89 with what existed of Route 8 (which, at this time, was a shuttle bus between York-Dauphin and Cedar-Norris) into one route via Aramingo. Miraculously, the history of the 89 manages to be more confusing and nonsensical than the bus route itself. (EDIT: Looking at one of the maps again, I noticed that the P used to go through Wingohocking and Penn streets to go to Arrott, but some variants of the P terminated at the Castor-Wyoming circle. I'm guessing the 89 follows the 75 routing in NE Philly in order to serve both Castor circle and Arrott under one route)

[@MilesinTransit]

This is an incredibly exhaustive history, thank you so much for this! What a Frankenstein route the 89 is.

[@blackman7437]

@@MilesinTransit Before I looked all this stuff up I was scared that the 89 would actually have some complex purpose would make the route make sense, but also ruin the fun of the route the same way finding out how a magic trick works ruins the illusion, but nope, it's justification for existing somehow makes the route even more insane.

[@andrewdiamond2697]

So it's a route that replaced a lot of other pieces of other routes, and at the time in the 1950s-1980s, SEPTA didn't want to upset anyone. Now, most of the people who were around to be upset by the changes are gone, and we have a route that's just useless. It's literally a route designed by 5 different neighborhood groups/committees, where everyone had to get what they wanted. It's the Pontiac Aztec of routes.

[@ChasMusic]

I see from the current website that it's still a mess of twisty little passages, all different. But if they totally drop it, they'd need to extend the 53 to Arrott so Tioga would still have full service.

[@jeremyzorek]

This was so stupid. And I loved every minute of it.

[@josephmartinez3518]

I respect that your need to urban explore via public transit isn't hindered by the typical antipathy folks have for Kensington. Stay brave, fear is a mind-killer.

[@s.s.99]

They weren’t out too late so they’re chilling. Just gotta watch out for the leaning zombies

[@Whaliam]

Jeremy always raises the energy level.

[@danielueblacker9118]

Jeremy is way cool, you guys enjoy life, thanks for your energy.

[@lazyboxfish7113]

Respect to the bus driver that has to remember this route. I imagine that they don't have GPS, but I'm not a bus nerd.

[@rosaliet3252]

One of my favorite things about SEPTA is the *boop boop* when you swipe the key card :)

[@jm-bv1wh]

I hate that!

[@hamiltonpolice7860]

Lol it makes me think there was an issue with fate collection

[@qjtvaddict]

SEPTA 99: Hold my beer

[@Gassy4]

Route 89 THE Kensington Tour Bus

[@mrbig4532]

The 89 used to stop on the corner of my street which was considered the end of the line . It would drive down Venango street and make a turn on Delaware Ave then back up Venango and pull over at a bus stop under the 95 at the corner of Allen and Venango and this was considered the end of its eastbound journey and the beginning of its westbound journey. Then they merged it with the old p bus and that’s how it ended up going thru Frankford .

[@Del-Lebo]

What the freaking hell?! I love it and must try this!!! I am so happy I found your channel!!! So many Philly area adventures! So happy living in the Philadelphia burbs!!!

[@RoadCone411]

I've never seen two people more excited about counting the turns a bus makes...thanks KZbin algorithm! You know me!

[@smorris281]

You guys have to come to the Pocono’s and ride the Pocono Pony. We have 2 routes that’s actually 1 long route from historic East Stroudsburg to Tobyhanna.

[@paulriv]

This is why bus network redesigns are all the rage now. But I can't say I didn't enjoy this video 😂

[@moishglukovsky]

Here's one for you, before you graduate and leave Philly: what is the SEPTA bus route that passes the most Wawas? I'd bet it's something in Delco, maybe along MacDade Blvd.

[@MilesinTransit]

I saw someone in a Philly transit group on Facebook mention it's the 113, which does use MacDade! I wonder if there's a fast way to confirm...I'd be curious about some of the sprawling Bucks County routes too.

[@moishglukovsky]

I'd be happy to tag along!

[@moishglukovsky]

@@MilesinTransit I checked out Rt 113. I think you're right. Looks like the route goes by 10 Wawas: 460 S 69th St, Upper Darby 67 N Lansdowne Av, Lansdowne 910 MacDade Bl, Collingdale 3 N MacDade Bl, Glenolden 2306 MacDade Bl, Holmes 1730 MacDade Bl, Folsom 1920 W MacDade Bl, Woodlyn 1439 Market St, Linwood 301 Ridge Rd, Claymont DE 601 Naamans Rd, Claymont DE Also -- didn't know there were any SEPTA bus routes that wandered into adjacent states. Regional Rail, yes, but buses -- who knew?

[@MilesinTransit]

@@moishglukovsky The 127 also goes to Trenton! That's an impressive amount of Wawas.

[@moishglukovsky]

@@MilesinTransit One can keep well caffeinated during one's commute.

[@johnchambers8528]

Hi, Welcome back to the Philadelphia area and enjoying one of SEPTA’s bus routes that tries to serve too many areas with one route. If you like these type of routes, you should come ride my suburban route 107 operated out of 69th street transportation center. The route starts out going southwest out on Marshall Road and then takes you through some tight local streets in the Oakview area of Upper Darby and do a complete circle from Marshall Road through the Oakview area and then return back to Marshall Road to continue on your journey west to your next local street area of Westbrook Park. After your tour through Westbrook Park you continue south to Baltimore Pike and turn back east past some major shopping areas till you reach Oak Ave. where you turn south and continue to go through the Primos area of Upper Darby and cross the Media-Elwyn commuter train line and it’s Primos train station you then continue south to you reach Briarclife area and again go through several local streets still generally heading south till you reach McDade Blvd. in Glendolden and turn west again till you reach South Ave. where you then turn north heading back tword Secane where you will then turn west again on Franklin Ave till you reach Woodland Ave.and head north till you reach Baltimore Pike again you also will again cross the Media commuter train line at its Morton station on your way north. At Baltimore Pike you will then turn west and follow it till you reach one of our shopping malls, Springfield Mall where you can make connections with routes 109 or route 110 and with a somewhat long walk behind the mall connect with the route 101 Media trolley. After leaving the mall you turn out on Sproul Rd. Also know as Rt 420 north bound for one of the longer sections of this route that just goes straight north till you reach near your end point of Lawrence Park Shopping Center. I live on Marshall Rd. In Lansdowne and commuted on this line to 69th street for years when I worked in Philadelphia. Ocassionaly I would ride the route westbound to the Springfield Mall but never rode it to the end of the line at Lawrence Park. The nickname for this route is the tour of south west Delaware county. If you choose to try riding this route be advised on weekdays SEPTA does run some short turn runs that do not run the full route. And other than week day rush hour it only runs once an hour. It does have Saturday service but no Sunday or Holiday service.

[@MilesinTransit]

The 107 is another insane one!

[@gigglesmurf2004]

My mom may have put me on that one when I missed the school bus. I don’t remember. We lived in Secane and I went to Westbrook Park elementary school and then Drexel Hill middle school.

[@gchsbus]

YOUR COMMENT would go great hand in hand by reading it while listening to Dave Matthews Band's song "So Much To Say".

[@himbourbanist]

I can't wait for Bus Revolution to go in effect. I'd like all of the 10 minute headway routes please

[@Tolya1979]

The 89 was apparently designed to pick up as many people as possible, with only one bus. Thus, the circuitous route.

[@robertschaefer3223]

To everything, turn, turn turn.

[@MilesinTransit]

A+ comment

[@Del-Lebo]

@@MilesinTransit Needs to be a song for your next show/concert!!!!

[@DeanCovert]

Being mildly familiar with various common PA names, listening to the street names was great

[@Ffme14xs]

Route 89 needed to be investigated by the SVU for inappropriately touching the El route 3 times.

[@vin900]

you should go long distance on public transit only. no greyhound, amtrak-local routes only

[@MilesinTransit]

I've made spreadsheets to do this in several places - it's a big time commitment but if I ever find that time...

[@qjtvaddict]

Truth be told elimination is the best thing they can do for the 89 k😅

[@RD743033]

I can’t get enough of this video

[@trainman1971]

OMG you got the 89! I totally agree!! York-Dauphin to Arrott Terminal via Everywhere. Crossing Allegheny Avenue 3 times in the southbound direction (twice northbound, but runs on it for a block on the 2nd crossing).

[@davidcho1579]

These tight turns are one case where I might actually support smaller midibuses, even though operating costs aren't always lower! SEPTA seems to have a lot of them.

[@Techno-Universal]

Imagine if this bus was the only way to get to and from the train station if you didn’t have a car or didn’t want to walk for an hour!

[@edwardapier]

My experience with Philadelphia transit was trying to take the subway from 30th street station (beautiful!) to the liberty bell (democracy!). The station entrance was filthy and really sketchy looking. Couldn't get the fare card machine to work, gave up and took a Lyft. Walked back in 100 degree heat rather than try it the other way. Reading Market (mmmmm cookies).

[@Thatgamingdiary]

I went up here like a few months/weeks ago & we almost took it (frequencies were horrible) & my mom complained about how much turns there were. We walked up to Juniata Park from Allegheny Stations via K St.

[@AA_8184_1]

That’s a wild route for sure!

[@davidsummers6700]

Love the observational humor for a septa line in Philly. Went to Drexel from '11-'17 and had my fun on Septa for those 6 years. As well as boltbus, megabus, greyhound, amtrak, patco, and nj transit of course. Though I think the Rutgers bus video is better than this one. lol.

[@davidsummers6700]

I think I have my Drexel Alumni Card hanging around if you ever want to review the 3 Drexel bus routes for s***s and giggles. Print that off and put it in your wallet (no photo is present on alumni IDs) and you can ride the buses. I lived at the end out of the Powelton Route near 43rd and Powelton. One time near Christmas, the bus driver smoked a cigarette while he took me to main campus at 33rd and Market because I was the only rider. Fun times.

[@jacorp7476]

This was so entertaining lol

[@EpicThe112]

This used to be a tram route that should explain the routing. If that was still here It would have the same problem as the other tram routes 36 40 15 have vehicles end up crashing into them

[@JacksonBetz]

0:53 would you say it's a... SEPTA street?

[@JacksonBetz]

2:32 I haven't even HEARD of half of those neighborhoods lmao

[@JacksonBetz]

omg at 3:16 that's a Signtronix brand plastic sign! those were everywhere in the 80s and they're really distinctive because of that unique shape (rectangular with two rounded sides)! I see them everywhere and they're so crappy that they cross the border into being really cool. I'm so glad you included that!!

[@JacksonBetz]

4:26 the "left lane" consternation made me CACKLE

[@JacksonBetz]

7:08 THE DISCONTINUATION OF THE 56 TROLLEY IS A TRAVESTY

[@jeremyzorek]

@@JacksonBetz I love that you know what brand of crappy store hanging sign we passed. I love them too (but had no idea anywhere close to this much info about them)

[@Token_Nerd]

I hate this. I hate this so much.

[@MelShibson]

53 whole minutes? May as well walk at that point. Probably safer on the bus though.

[@ChasMusic]

You might want to check out NYC's Q38 and San Francisco Muni's 91. Both nearly loop but not quite.

[@MilesinTransit]

I streamed the Q38! kzbin.inforhfY9Syn4UA?si=NfsrwSCdJlmIme3D

[@johndemcko8585]

This definitely is a route that Phoenix would definitely not like!

[@chrispontani6059]

That was hilarious.

[@Desmaad]

Looks like a normal route here in Hali.

[@MilesinTransit]

Where is Hali?

[@Desmaad]

@@MilesinTransit Halifax, Nova Scotia.

[@MilesinTransit]

@@Desmaad Ah! I've never heard that shortening before.

[@nanismeelasla]

the 150 is worse, though it's not in Philadelphia but rather the suburbs.

[@MilesinTransit]

I feel like as a route the 150 isn't particularly crazy, it's more the schedule and ridership! When it comes to crazy suburban routes, stuff like the 107 and the Bucks County ones really take the cake.

[@CaseysTrains]

The 107 is equally as bad

[@MilesinTransit]

Oh for sure! Same with some of the Bucks County deviation-fests!

[@damiancooper3063]

The 107 is horrible

[@jm-bv1wh]

Maybe you can explain why there is a "H" bus and "XH" bus. That drives me crazy. Why not just change the name of one of them? This is a serious question, btw.

[@MilesinTransit]

I've never understood it either! The XH sounds like an express version of the H but it isn't! And BOTH have express variants!

[@jm-bv1wh]

@@MilesinTransitThanks for getting back to me, - so it's not just me! Yes, none of it makes any sense.

[@itssharrlol]

the H & XH is just routes from the PTC era

[@kingstonianpics1640]

go the kingston ontario & take route 15 then compare, I'm just gonna say its even more horrible.

[@truthteller8459]

I was in Philly over a weekend and decided to see the city before my appointment Monday that was supposed to been Friday but was cancelled. So I went to A Philly's game, saw the Liberty Bell, and Independence Hall then decided to hop the subway to different parts of town to see the sights. I got off one subway and walked to another platform and saw by all the people there that the particular subway line goes to the ghetto and thought 'never mind' Sadly, except for the tourist areas all of Philly is a ghetto. My justified observation is not based on that single trip but from being a professional truck drive I went to Philly very often for either pickups or deliveries.

[@MilesinTransit]

I don't think that's fair! I certainly don't deny that Philly has a lot of rough neighborhoods, but places like South Street, Manayunk, Fairmount, Germantown, and Mount Airy (among others) are really great!

[@gchsbus]

"Don't you want transit to be funny?" Haha! Oh yea, you can put a clown on the 4 or the 16 going through North Philly. I am sure the urban folk who are listening to their headphones so loud you can hear it in the bus would react to that well. I am sure Scott Smalls from Philly PD would be on the news about some bizarre news story regarding how a clown got shot on a bus while performing.

[@bsjdjdksjdndshdjvjjdjd5176]

what is that discord server you have 🤣 everytime I talk there people reply with very… questionable and toxic things 😂 😬

[@billie44]

Dangerous there

[@trainrover]

l o l