G (SEPTA Metro)

SEPTA PCC III operating on the G
Overview
StatusLimited service, bus shuttle
LocalePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
Termini
  • 63rd–Girard
  • Richmond–Westmoreland
Stations64 stops
Websitesepta.org/schedules/G1
Service
TypeStreetcar
SystemSEPTA Metro
Services
  •  All Stops
Operator(s)SEPTA
Depot(s)Callowhill
Rolling stockSEPTA PCC III
Daily ridership9,032 (ave. weekday, FY 2019)
History
Opened1859; 2005; 2024
Closed1992–2005; 2020–2024
Technical
Line length8.4 miles (13.5 km)
Track gauge5 ft 2+14 in (1,581 mm) Pennsylvania trolley gauge
ElectrificationOverhead line600 V DC
Route map
Richmond–Westmoreland
Allegheny–Richmond
Clearfield–Richmond
Ann–Richmond
Cambria–Richmond
Somerset–Richmond
Conrail Port Richmond Branch
Lehigh–Richmond
Huntingdon–Richmond
Cumberland–Richmond
Girard–Richmond
Berks–Girard
Palmer–Girard
Columbia–Girard
Frankford–Delaware
Richmond–Frankford
Frankford–Girard
Front–Girard
2nd–Girard
3rd–Girard
4th–Girard
5th–Girard
7th–Girard
8th–Girard
11th–Girard
12th–Girard
Broad–Girard
16th–Girard
17th–Girard
Ridge–Girard
19th–Girard
20th–Girard
Corinthian–Girard
24th–Girard
26th–Poplar
Stillman–Poplar
Poplar–26th
26th–Girard
27th–Girard
28th–Girard
29th–Girard
31st–Girard
33rd–Girard
34th Street/Zoo
39th–Girard
40th Street/Parkside
to
41st–Girard
42nd–Girard
Belmont–Girard
Merion–Girard
Lancaster–Girard
49th–Girard
51st–Girard
52nd–Girard
54th–Girard
56th–Girard
57th–Girard
59th–Girard from Callowhill Depot
60th–Girard
South to Callowhill Depot
North to Lansdowne Avenue
Haverford│Girard
(
Haddington
Loop
)
61st
62nd
Passing Siding
63rd to Felton
63rd
non-revenue track
to 63rd–Lansdowne

The G, formerly known as the Route 15 Trolley, is a streetcar line in the SEPTA Metro network that runs along Girard Avenue through North and West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Service is operated by the City Transit Division of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority. As of 2024, it is the only trolley line in Philadelphia that is not part of the subway–surface trolley lines. SEPTA PCC III vehicles are used on the line.

The line was first opened in 1859 as a horse car line operated by the Richmond and Schuylkill River Passenger Railway, and electrified in 1895, with extensions in 1902 and 1903. Service was "bustituted" in 1992, along with Route 23 (Germantown Avenue-11th and 12th Streets) and Route 56 (Torresdale-Erie Avenues). On September 4, 2005, trolley service was restored.

On April 29, 2012, east of Frankford Avenue, the line started being operated by buses due to major reconstruction. West of Frankford Avenue, the line was still run by PCC II cars. Trolleys terminated at Frankford and Delaware Avenues (Northern Liberties Loop) while buses terminated at Girard station under the Market-Frankford Line. As of January 2020, the full line is being substituted by a bus bridge to allow for rolling stock maintenance, track repairs, and a nearby highway expansion. Trolley service was originally anticipated to return in late 2021. As of August 2023, six of the 18 cars were restored but still not enough to resume trolley service. SEPTA expected trolleys would be in service in late 2023. However, that goal was also not met. Trolleys finally returned to service on June 16, 2024.