Thursday, April 25, 2013
As part of its movement away from tokens, the transportation company is considering capping the number of times weekly and monthly passes can be used.
SEPTA’s forthcoming New Payment Technology plans (NPT), which would move the area’s public transportation off of token-based payment and on to a smartcard system like those currently in place in New York City and Chicago, could also cap the number of rides a cardholder can take in a given month. According to a report from PlanPhilly, weekly and monthly TransPasses could be capped after 50 and 200 rides, respectively. The decision to cap the number of rides allowed per card comes as a means to limit TransPass sharing. From PlanPhilly: “There [are] probably some offices that have an office SEPTA card that they use for individuals on the staff,” he said as an example of TransPass abuse. The proposed pass limits are “quite high so that the …
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Roughly 95 percent of Regional Rail trains hit the mark last month, according to SEPTA statistics.
Various improvements to SEPTA's Regional Rail system have helped trains arrive on time more often in recent weeks, agency representatives say. An article Tuesday from PlanPhilly cited a period of 99 percent efficiency at one point in March, as reported by SEPTA deputy general manager Jeff Knueppel. SEPTA director of media relations Jerri Williams told Patch that the agency hit that mark on two days in late February, which were included in the "fiscal month" of March that comprises five full weeks from Feb. 24 through March 30. The average on-time performance during that period was 95 percent, Williams said. SEPTA counts a Regional Rail train as on time if it makes its entire trip, end to end, six minutes or less behind schedule. The 95 …
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Several changes are set to take effect July 1 of this year and July 1, 2014.
SEPTA is planning several large-scale changes to its transit operations, including a fare increase and the implementation of a smart-card payment system, that would take effect July 1. The agency describes its plans on the SEPTA website. Some of the most noticeable effects would be as follows: The Philadelphia Inquirer reported SEPTA will conduct an internal 30-day test of the new fare system this summer, followed by another 30-day test in the fall that includes selected riders. Five public hearing dates on SEPTA's planned changes are scheduled for mid-April: Whether or not you plan to attend one (or more), please tell us in the comments section below what you think of the changes.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Several city and state groups are trying to help travelers enjoy the show.
The Philadelphia Flower Show kicks off Saturday, March 2 and will run until March 10 at the Philadelphia Convention Center. If you are planning to head down to the show, here's what you need to know: If you are driving, the Philadelphia Parking Authority wants to help you out. While there are any number of public pay lots near the Convention Center, the PPA parking lot closest to the event, which will feature the lowest rates in the area according to its website, is located at 44 N 10th Street. Parking there will put you about three blocks from the convention center. The lot's rates are listed below, but you can check out more from the PPA here. Those looking for free parking are advised to check north of Callowhill Street and South of …
Thursday, December 20, 2012
SEPTA says lack of state funding to fix the Bridgeport Viaduct will make it unsafe once warmer weather hits.
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, SEPTA is planning to close the Bridgeport Viaduct this summer for safety reasons, citing lack of state funding to make the necessary repairs. SEPTA says the closing may even be permanent. The viaduct – the bridge that carries the Norristown High Speed Line over the Schuylkill River to and from the Norristown Transportation Center – is over 100 years old and according Jeff Knueppel, SEPTA's chief engineer, warmer temperatures will likely cause the tracks to expand and pull free of the steel spikes that hold the aging wooden ties in place. Recent repairs will keep the bridge operational until then, but speeds have been reduced to 15 to 20 m.p.h. going over the viaduct. When the bridge is closed for …
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
You can now find out if your SEPTA train is on time with a phone call, text or website.
Two new sites will help commuters determine if their SEPTA train is one time or not. Baldwin is a website optimized for a smartphone. It’s not an app that you download. Bookmark on your phone so you don’t forget it when you need it. All you need to do is put in the station where you want to get on and where you want to get off and it will tell you the next trains going between those stations, their departure and arrival time and whether they are on time. The website URL is baldwin.ph. Note: if you’re going to or from Wayne in Radnor Township, choose Wayne Station, not Wayne Jct. SEPTAlking provides regional rail status updates with a phone call or text message at 215-987-5418. Both sites are part of SEPTA’s outreach campaign and will be …
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
SEPTA said riders could experience delays.
SEPTA looks like it's almost back to full service. The transportation company announced via its Twitter feed that it is relaunching all of its regional rail services Wednesday morning. Riders should be aware of potential delays, however, as the company said it is still dealing with fallout from Hurricane Sandy. "[On most lines,] some delays may be encountered due to residual storm effects," the company said in a statement. SEPTA singled out the Chestnut Hill West and Doylestown lines as ones with potential for significant delays. "These lines experienced significant damage and may operate with substantial delays," the company said in a release. Partial SEPTA service resumed Tuesday after the company suspended its service early Monday …
Monday, October 29, 2012
Hurricane Sandy could cause another day of cancelled service.
Update (7:05 p.m., Monday) SEPTA announced its full plan for Tuesday in a release on its website. The statement is below. Early Tuesday morning after the storm has passed through our area, SEPTA crews will inspect and assess the conditions of facilities, equipment and infrastructure in order to ascertain when service can be restored for all modes. This system-wide assessment process will take approximately 6 to 8 hours. The final decision to operate will be coordinated with the City's Office of Emergency Management and based on the safety of the public and our employees. At this time, service on Tuesday cannot be guaranteed, although attempts will be made to restore some service by the afternoon. It is anticipated that full service will …
Sunday, October 28, 2012
All SEPTA transportation will be suspended for Sandy.
The following information is provided by SEPTA. SEPTA will suspend all services effective at the end of Sunday's service schedule due to the expected arrival of severe weather from Sandy. The shutdown will start at approximately 12:30 a.m., at the conclusion of daily service schedules. The service suspension covers all modes of SEPTA travel, including Regional Rail, the Market-Frankford Line, the Broad Street Line, city and suburban bus and trolley routes, and the Norristown High Speed Line. CCT Paratransit service will be available for reserved dialysis patients only as long as safe operations are possible. SEPTA is advising customers to adjust their travel plans as soon as possible prior to the shutdown. Those who do not have to travel …
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
“Sorry doesn’t even begin to cover it” according to SEPTA.
SEPTA issued a release on its website Tuesday apologizing for multiple issues Monday that led to major delays. The first issue of the day was on the Warminster line, according to SEPTA, which has been in the process of being updated for the last six months. “At 1:10 p.m. old supporting hardware holding up new wire decided to give up the ghost resulting in no train service for about 2.5 hours,” SEPTA reported. Then, at 4:25 p.m., a bad car short circuited, according to SEPTA. “This set off a wave of delays for some 87 trains lasting anywhere from 40 minutes to just over 1 hour. The worst of this situation were the 4 trains - the 4:25 p.m. to the Airport, the 4:36 p.m. going to Chestnut Hill West, the 4:22 p.m. going to Wilmington, and 4:29 …
Brian A.
9:30 am on Friday, April 26, 2013
Right on, Aidan. I save $30 a month by taking SEPTA instead of driving and parking, and that is not even counting the money I would have to spend on gas or car insurance. Would probably be more like $60-70 a month. And even better, I get to read on the train every day! more ›