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Philly shuts down Rocky Steps fountain buzz

Crews have been spotted sprucing up the fountains.

Culture

The cascade fountains that flank the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rocky Steps" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/03/25/rocky-statue-philadelphia-museum-of-art-moves" data-vars-content-id="cfd3f99a-6422-4ff7-ad1a-5618d4037469" data-vars-headline="Philly shuts down Rocky Steps fountain buzz" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/03/25/rocky-statue-philadelphia-museum-of-art-moves" target="_self">Rocky Steps</a> at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Philadelphia Museum of Art" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/02/04/rebrand-20-philly-art-museum-backtracks-on-new-name" data-vars-content-id="cfd3f99a-6422-4ff7-ad1a-5618d4037469" data-vars-headline="Philly shuts down Rocky Steps fountain buzz" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/02/04/rebrand-20-philly-art-museum-backtracks-on-new-name" target="_self">Philadelphia Museum of Art</a> have run dry for decades.The intrigue: But crews have been spotted sprucing them up, raising speculation that something could be in the works.

Immigration fuels population rise in Philadelphia

International migration has been fueling growth in both the city and region for years.

News

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="International migration" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/13/american-population-metro-areas-immigration" data-vars-content-id="cce974c9-21aa-4247-93f5-0e0f610cce8a" data-vars-headline="Immigration fuels population rise in Philadelphia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/13/american-population-metro-areas-immigration" target="_self">International migration</a> helped Philadelphia&#x27;s population tick up slightly between 2024 and 2025, per new Census Bureau data.Why it matters: Immigration has been fueling growth in both the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="city and region" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/03/20/philly-population-growth-migration-immigrants" data-vars-content-id="cce974c9-21aa-4247-93f5-0e0f610cce8a" data-vars-headline="Immigration fuels population rise in Philadelphia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/03/20/philly-population-growth-migration-immigrants" target="_self">city and region</a> for years, even as it declines nationwide.

International tourists to flock to Philadelphia this year

Philly is abuzz with improvements, upgrades and activity as businesses and the city get ready for big crowds.

Travel

Philadelphia&#x27;s tourism and hotel industries should bank on a rebound year fueled by the FIFA <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/04/01/world-cup-tickets-philly-fifa-final-sale" data-vars-content-id="205fd58c-0bab-4ea6-bde1-25f67c85f87c" data-vars-headline="International tourists to flock to Philadelphia this year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/04/01/world-cup-tickets-philly-fifa-final-sale" target="_self">World Cup</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="other events" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/01/07/evemts-2026-america-250-museums-world-cup-sports" data-vars-content-id="205fd58c-0bab-4ea6-bde1-25f67c85f87c" data-vars-headline="International tourists to flock to Philadelphia this year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/01/07/evemts-2026-america-250-museums-world-cup-sports" target="_self">other events</a> coming to the region, per a new analysis.Why it matters: Philly is abuzz with improvements, upgrades and activity as businesses and the city get ready for the big crowds.

A rideshare tax war is heating up in Philadelphia

Uber is letting riders know the fee would be passed onto customers.

Uber riders in Philly may notice a new item at the top of their receipt: Info about how Mayor Cherelle Parker&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new tax proposal on rideshares" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/03/23/rideshare-fee-uber-lyft-cherelle-parker-tax" data-vars-content-id="ab099494-af98-4b74-bd89-14a7331e0514" data-vars-headline="A rideshare tax war is heating up in Philadelphia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/03/23/rideshare-fee-uber-lyft-cherelle-parker-tax" target="_self">new tax proposal on rideshares</a> will &quot;make your trips more expensive.&quot;Why it matters: It&#x27;s the latest move from Uber in its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="growing campaign" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/03/31/uber-escalates-fight-over-parker-rideshare-tax" data-vars-content-id="ab099494-af98-4b74-bd89-14a7331e0514" data-vars-headline="A rideshare tax war is heating up in Philadelphia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/03/31/uber-escalates-fight-over-parker-rideshare-tax" target="_self">growing campaign</a> to derail Parker&#x27;s tax plan.

Pennsylvania to crackdown on Turnpike toll evaders

The state is losing out on more than $200 million in uncollected tolls.

Transit

Pennsylvania is cracking down on Turnpike toll evaders as state lawmakers eye <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="harsher penalties for habitual scofflaws" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/25/pennsylvania-toll-evasion-penalties-bill-turnpike" data-vars-content-id="ba61955e-9b9a-4ead-8e75-9cd1c66995f4" data-vars-headline="Pennsylvania to crackdown on Turnpike toll evaders" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/25/pennsylvania-toll-evasion-penalties-bill-turnpike" target="_self">harsher penalties for habitual scofflaws</a>.Why it matters: The state is losing out on more than <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$200 million" data-vars-click-url="https://www.palegis.us/senate/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=48340" data-vars-content-id="ba61955e-9b9a-4ead-8e75-9cd1c66995f4" data-vars-headline="Pennsylvania to crackdown on Turnpike toll evaders" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.palegis.us/senate/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=48340" target="_blank">$200 million</a> in uncollected tolls, hiking costs for the rest of us who pay our toll bills.

SEPTA's long-awaited bus system overhaul begins this summer

It's been six decades since the transit agency redesigned its bus network.

SEPTA&#x27;s bus system revamp is (finally) set to begin this summer, intending to boost service times and efficiency.Why it matters: It&#x27;s been six decades since the transit agency redesigned its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bus network" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/03/02/bus-stop-distance-septa-phiadelphia-transit" data-vars-content-id="cc2c742d-a285-466a-8b5f-305e5a5a5bdb" data-vars-headline="SEPTA&#x27;s long-awaited bus system overhaul begins this summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/03/02/bus-stop-distance-septa-phiadelphia-transit" target="_self">bus network</a>.<ul><li>Plus: Buses account for more than half of SEPTA&#x27;s daily ridership, with nearly 300,000 riders every day.</li></ul>

Charted: How Philadelphia's bus stop distance stacks up

Frequent stopping helps maximize coverage but can drive down ridership.

i<div><figure><div id="av-hermesv2/2026-02-27-1054-u-s-cities-with-9BMZC" style="max-width:100%" data-vars-category="embed" data-vars-sub-category="axios-visual" data-vars-asset-id="av-hermesv2/2026-02-27-1054-u-s-cities-with-9BMZC" data-vars-iframe-src="https://graphics.axios.com/hermesv2/2026-02-27-1054-u-s-cities-with/index.html" class="gtmView"><img alt="A bar chart that shows median distances between bus stops in 10 U.S. cities as of 2021. Philadelphia has the shortest median spacing at 564 feet, while Houston has the longest at 840 feet. Most cities range between 600 and 800 feet, indicating varied transit stop density." class="axios-visual-newsletter-fallback-image" src="https://graphics.axios.com/hermesv2/2026-02-27-1054-u-s-cities-with/fallbacks/2026-02-27-1054-u-s-cities-with-fallback.png" width="1200" height="898"/><img alt="A bar chart that shows median distances between bus stops in 10 U.S. cities as of 2021. Philadelphia has the shortest median spacing at 564 feet, while Houston has the longest at 840 feet. Most cities range between 600 and 800 feet, indicating varied transit stop density." class="axios-visual-apple-fallback-image" src="https://graphics.axios.com/hermesv2/2026-02-27-1054-u-s-cities-with/fallbacks/2026-02-27-1054-u-s-cities-with-apple.png" width="750" height="882"/></div><figcaption>Data: Pandey, Ayush, Lewis Lehe, and Dana Monzer. 2021 &quot;Distributions of Bus Stop Spacings in the United States.&quot;</figcaption></figure></div>Philadelphia bus stops are closer together than any other big U.S. city, per a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://findingspress.org/article/27373-distributions-of-bus-stop-spacings-in-the-united-states" data-vars-content-id="fbbb237a-c01f-47bc-a097-e8bb1262f0ab" data-vars-headline="Charted: How Philadelphia&#x27;s bus stop distance stacks up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://findingspress.org/article/27373-distributions-of-bus-stop-spacings-in-the-united-states" target="_blank">analysis</a> by the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Works in Progress" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/44361851.17365/aHR0cHM6Ly93b3Jrc2lucHJvZ3Jlc3MuY28vaXNzdWUvdGhlLXVuaXRlZC1zdGF0ZXMtbmVlZHMtZmV3ZXItYnVzLXN0b3BzLz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bmV3c2xldHRlcl9heGlvc2xvY2FsX3BpdHRzYnVyZ2gmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/613bb99cb4152b573124203fB259d61b5" data-vars-content-id="fbbb237a-c01f-47bc-a097-e8bb1262f0ab" data-vars-headline="Charted: How Philadelphia&#x27;s bus stop distance stacks up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/44361851.17365/aHR0cHM6Ly93b3Jrc2lucHJvZ3Jlc3MuY28vaXNzdWUvdGhlLXVuaXRlZC1zdGF0ZXMtbmVlZHMtZmV3ZXItYnVzLXN0b3BzLz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bmV3c2xldHRlcl9heGlvc2xvY2FsX3BpdHRzYnVyZ2gmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/613bb99cb4152b573124203fB259d61b5" target="_self">Works in Progress</a> transit blog.Why it matters: Frequent stopping helps maximize coverage, giving more people access to service, according to the blog.

SEPTA preps for big World Cup crowds this summer

SEPTA preps for big World Cup crowds this summer.

Septa is laying the groundwork for an influx of riders when Philadelphia hosts <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup matches" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/01/28/world-cup-philly-intel" data-vars-content-id="52050b6c-7b5a-44f8-a7c9-4d8c9bb16e92" data-vars-headline="SEPTA preps for big World Cup crowds this summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/01/28/world-cup-philly-intel" target="_self">World Cup matches</a> this summer.Why it matters: The mega event will test the transit system like never before.

Philadelphia sees big drop in international tourists in 2025

It's the first decline since 2020 during the first year of the pandemic.

Philadelphia saw a slump in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="international tourism" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/05/02/international-travlers-philadelphia-decline" data-vars-content-id="931dd8b7-2f53-443c-b7b1-671fd8224b91" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia sees big drop in international tourists in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/05/02/international-travlers-philadelphia-decline" target="_self">international tourism</a> last year, especially from Canadians — mirroring a national trend.Why it matters: It&#x27;s the first decline since 2020, the first year of the pandemic.

Waymo eyes Philadelphia expansion

Waymo's planned expansion to Philly would bring the first fleet of self-driving taxis to city streets.

Robotaxis are coming to Philadelphia.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Waymo&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/07/10/waymo-robotaxi-philadelphia-self-driving-vehicles" data-vars-content-id="73c5c169-60a4-4bd6-b698-19f872a7e8f4" data-vars-headline="Waymo eyes Philadelphia expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/07/10/waymo-robotaxi-philadelphia-self-driving-vehicles" target="_self">Waymo&#x27;s</a> planned expansion to Philly would bring the first fleet of self-driving taxis to city streets.

Tips for avoiding Thanksgiving travel headaches around Philly

Planning ahead is your best shot at skipping (most of) the crowds on the roads and in airports.

The busy Thanksgiving travel season is underway.Why it matters: Planning ahead is your best shot at skipping (most of) the crowds on the roads and in airports.

Headaches persist as SEPTA fleet inspections wrap up

SEPTA is aiming to put at least 10 newly leased rail cars into service in the coming weeks to boost service.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="SEPTA" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/11/04/septa-trump-administration-safety-mismanagement" data-vars-content-id="3e510dc2-e599-48bb-b15b-4f6212fc833c" data-vars-headline="Headaches persist as SEPTA fleet inspections wrap up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/11/04/septa-trump-administration-safety-mismanagement" target="_self">SEPTA</a> is on track to meet a federal deadline to inspect its aging Regional Rail fleet today, but repairs and updates will take weeks more to wrap up.Why it matters: Cancellations, delays and overcrowded cars on Regional Rail lines are sticking around, although relief is on the way.

The Philadelphia region's traffic is worse than ever

The average driver wasted 70 hours in traffic last year.

The hours drivers spend commuting in the Philadelphia region is heading in the wrong direction.Why it matters: Longer commutes means less time for leisure, hanging with friends and family, or — if your boss is reading this — work.

Trump administration calls for change at SEPTA

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is accusing the Philly-area transit agency of mismanagement.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is raising the alarm on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="SEPTA" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/09/05/septa-service-cuts-shapiro-plan-restore" data-vars-content-id="458f3cf5-7ca3-41e3-a83e-5a88d45f9285" data-vars-headline="Trump administration calls for change at SEPTA" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/09/05/septa-service-cuts-shapiro-plan-restore" target="_self">SEPTA</a>&#x27;s safety issues and accusing the Philly-area transit agency of mismanagement.Why it matters: The Trump administration is turning up the pressure as SEPTA scrambles to finish inspections of its aging infrastructure.

Transit 🚗

Pennsylvania to crackdown on Turnpike toll evaders

SEPTA's long-awaited bus system overhaul begins this summer

Charted: How Philadelphia's bus stop distance stacks up

SEPTA preps for big World Cup crowds this summer

Philadelphia sees big drop in international tourists in 2025