Legislation for affordable water? New bus routes, & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news:

Committee considers bills to make water more affordable. On Tuesday, Councilmember Jamie Gauthier presented her Just Water legislative package for consideration to City Council’s Committee on Transportation and Utilities. The package includes two bills: one that requires the city to share responsibility for long-term water meter failures, and another that expands eligibility for financial assistance for low-income households.

SEPTA approves new bus routes and schedules. Starting this Fall, SEPTA is making changes to bus routes and schedules to offer more frequent and reliable service. When completed, SEPTA’s general manager Scott Sauer said that the amount of lines arriving every fifteen minutes on all days of the week will increase from eight to 29. Cuts to several lines will also be a part of this plan. WHYY

Council to hold public hearings on Philly parks. Councilmember Anthony Phillips introduced a resolution to authorize public hearings on the state of the City’s public park system last Thursday. The hearings will examine “funding, maintenance, infrastructure, staffing, safety, and opportunities to establish sustainable long-term revenue streams to support Philadelphia’s parks, recreation centers, and public green spaces,” according to the resolution. The Philadelphia Hall Monitor

Sustainable Business Network celebrates 25 years. Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia is celebrating its 25th anniversary, recognizing over two decades of growing environmentally sustainable businesses. At a recent gathering, SBN members spoke of the importance of local businesses as community pillars. PHILADELPHIA Today

More protection on bike lanes after hit-and-run. 43-year-old Glen Colville was killed in a hit-and-run while riding his bike in Port Richmond in April. He was hit from behind while riding in the bike lane. His family and neighbors have demanded greater protection along the bike lanes since then. PennDOT has said it is looking into installing concrete barriers on Aramingo Avenue. Audacy

Cover photo: Councilmember Gauthier with City Council, May 28. Photo: Chris Manfield for City Council

Angie Bacha

Angie Bacha (she/her) is a Philadelphia-based solutions journalist and recent Erasmus Mundus Master's in Journalism, Media and Globalisation student in Aarhus, Denmark. Previously, she worked as a student journalist at Community College of Philadelphia and Editorial Intern at Resolve Philly. Some other hats she has worn: Human Rights and Theatre Studies graduate; teaching artist; carpenter; AmeriCorps volunteer; and rock climbing gym shift supervisor.