Three bus routes serving West Chester changed schedules or were eliminated when SEPTA launched Phase 1 of its bus network overhaul on Sunday, Aug. 23.

Route 104, which connects West Chester to the 69th Street Transportation Center, received a new schedule on Monday, Aug. 24. The route now runs every 30 minutes or less on weekdays between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m., according to SEPTA's updated schedule page.

Route 105, which serves the Lancaster Avenue corridor, was extended to Paoli Hospital on Monday, Aug. 24, Axios Philadelphia reported. Route 106, which connected Berwyn and Daylesford stations on the Paoli/Thorndale Regional Rail line, was eliminated the same day.

The changes are part of what SEPTA calls the first comprehensive redesign of its bus network in 63 years. Across the system, Phase 1 affected 30 routes. SEPTA cut seven routes entirely, added two new ones and adjusted frequency or alignment on the rest, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

The overhaul, formerly called "Bus Revolution," had been years in the making. SEPTA held 150 in-person events, 40 virtual meetings and 10 public hearings over three years, collecting feedback from more than 20,000 residents, according to a SEPTA press release issued March 11. The SEPTA Board approved the plan in May 2024, but it was shelved in November 2024 amid opposition and a two-year fiscal crisis before being revived in phases.

SEPTA General Manager Scott A. Sauer said in the March 11 press release that the redesign aims to make the transit system more reliable for current riders and more attractive to potential new ones. The agency cited a 13% ridership decline between 2013 and 2019, which it attributed to slow speeds, reliability problems and competition from rideshare companies.

When fully rolled out, the plan will shrink SEPTA's bus network from 124 routes to 106. The number of frequent-service routes, defined as every 15 minutes or better seven days a week, would jump from eight to 29.

Bus operators have raised concerns about the transition. Keya Sampson, a 12-year SEPTA driver, told the Inquirer on Monday, Aug. 24, that riders caught off guard by route changes direct their frustration at operators. "You're upset because you had counted on the bus," Sampson said. "You have to be at this appointment or you've got to punch in on time."

More changes are headed to Chester County. Phase 2, scheduled for February 2027, will bring two new SEPTA Go services and a new Route 142 to the county, according to SEPTA's press release. Phases 3 and 4 are planned for June and fall 2027.

Riders with questions can call SEPTA customer service at 215-580-7800 or email [email protected].