News

Getting to Green: Routes to Roots, a multidisciplinary public art project aimed at inspiring Philadelphia residents to use public transportation to explore the city’s green spaces, recently completed its second phase. DVRPC supported this two-phase project with funding through the Travel Options Program (TOP). TOP funds innovative projects that aim to reduce single-occupancy vehicle (SOV) trips and promote alternative travel options.  

First launched in June 2023, Getting to Green (G2G) is an artist-led partnership between Mural Arts of Philadelphia and SEPTA. Led by artists Shira Walinsky and Laura Deutch, the program has created special art-wrapped buses, designed and released colorful maps, interviewed riders, and held numerous events and educational workshops to promote the use of public transit for exploring Philadelphia's parks and neighborhoods.

During the first phase of the project, G2G focused on encouraging residents to explore the city’s parks by promoting a familiarity with and comfort using SEPTA’s bus network and bringing art to bus shelters. In its second phase, G2G focused on increasing access to and comfort with public transit among newer communities in Northeast Philadelphia. This included hosting hands-on transit experiences and workshops, developing and advancing digital media promotion and mapping tools, and increasing overall outreach and engagement with communities.

Learn more about Getting to Green and the Travel Options Program.