Montgomery County communities are at the center of SEPTA’s latest strategy to reshape how and where people live near transit, writes Thomas Fitzgerald for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
SEPTA is leveraging land it owns to partner with developers on transit-oriented housing projects. Major plans are already underway in Ambler and Conshohocken. The goal is to increase ridership while generating long-term revenue for the transit agency.
In Ambler, a proposal would transform a 3.4-acre parking lot near the Lansdale/Doylestown Line into a mixed-use development. The space would have apartments, retail space, and a public park. The project reflects years of planning in a borough where available land is scarce, and housing demand remains high.
Meanwhile, in Conshohocken, plans call for a 300-unit apartment building on SEPTA-owned land. Construction will replace a previously proposed parking garage and further reinforce the area’s rapid growth.
SEPTA officials say the approach is about more than development. The transit company wants to create walkable communities where residents can live, work, and commute without relying heavily on cars.
For Montco towns built around rail lines, the strategy signals a return to their roots, with transit once again driving growth and shaping the future of local neighborhoods.
To learn more about SEPTA’s strategy to bring more people to public transportation, visit The Philadelphia Inquirer.
