Transport for Philadelphia, US API
Overview
The SEPTA API provides real-time and scheduled transit data for Philadelphia's public transportation system, including buses, subway, regional rail, and trolleys. No API key is required, making it easy to start exploring Philadelphia transit data immediately. The API returns JSON and covers vehicle locations, arrivals, alerts, and timetables.
Beginner Tip
Start with the real-time arrivals endpoint by passing a stop ID to see the next few buses or trains at any SEPTA stop. Stop IDs are available on the SEPTA website's stop finder tool and can also be discovered via the API's stops endpoint.
Available Data
Example Response
{
"route": "Line 1",
"origin": "Station A",
"destination": "Station B",
"departure": "08:30",
"arrival": "09:15",
"status": "On Time",
"delays_min": 0
} Field Reference
orig_train Train or vehicle identifier for the departure at the origin station. orig_departure_time Scheduled departure time from the origin station in HH:MM AM/PM format. orig_arrival_time Scheduled arrival time at the origin station, which may differ from the departure when connections are involved. orig_delay Real-time delay in minutes at the origin station; "On time" if no delay is reported. isdirect Indicates whether the trip is a direct service ("true") or requires a transfer ("false"). next_station Name of the next intermediate station along the route, useful for multi-stop itinerary display. Implementation Example
const url = "http://www3.septa.org/hackathon/";
const response = await fetch(url);
if (!response.ok) throw new Error(`Request failed: ${response.status}`);
const data = await response.json();
console.log(data); What Can You Build?
Note: These code examples are AI-generated and unverified. Always refer to the official API documentation for accurate usage.
Common Errors & Troubleshooting
Matrix Score Breakdown
Fully tested on Apr 5, 2026
Technical Specifications
Related Tags
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