SEPTA Route 59

Route 59 is a trackless trolley line operated by SEPTA that runs from the Market–Frankford Line (now known as the L line) at Arrott Transportation Center Station to Bells Corner in Rhawnhurst, primarily along Oxford and Castor Avenues. Major stops along the route include Oxford Circle and the Alma Loop in Castor, which is near a shopping center and a junior high and senior high school. It is one of three surviving routes of the Philadelphia trolley bus system.

Route 59
Castor–Bustleton to Arrott Transportation Center
Route 59 trackless trolley en route to Bells Corner
Overview
System	Frankford District[1]
Operator	SEPTA City Transit Division
Began service	1950 (1950) (trackless trolleys)
Route
Locale	Philadelphia
Communities served	Northeast Philadelphia
Start	Bells Corner Loop (Castor and Bustleton Avenues)
Via	Castor Avenue, Oxford Avenue
End	Arrott Transportation Center
Length	4.1 miles (6.6 km)
Service
Journey time	17 minutes
Ridership	4,068 (2019 weekday average)[1]
Annual patronage	1,182,018 (FY2019)
Timetable	Route 59 schedule
Route map ← 58  City Transit Division  60 →

The trackless trolleys (or trolleybuses) replaced trolley cars (streetcars) on the route on in June 25, 1950.^[2]

Diesel buses temporarily replaced trackless trolleys on route 59 in June 2002,^[2] because of reconstruction of Frankford Depot (garage) and the adjacent Market-Frankford "El" viaduct and station, which required the temporary removal of the overhead trolley wires used by trackless trolleys both at the garage and along the deadhead route (under the El viaduct) connecting route 59 to the garage. However, trackless service was restored in April 2008.^[3] All of the vehicles currently in use are ADA-compliant and equipped with bicycle racks.

See also

• Buses portal
• Philadelphia portal

• Trolleybuses in Philadelphia