March 31, 2002
Two road closings in the Willistown and Thornbury areas will wreak havoc on the two SEPTA routes serving Cheyney University starting tomorrow. Tanguy Road in Thornbury (DelCo) will be closed, affecting Routes 119 and 120. In addition, Street Rd (PA 926) will also be closed between West Chester Pike and Duttons Mill Rd in Willistown, forcing the 120 to operate via West Chester Pk to Chester Rd (PA 352) in order to access Street Rd. The Tanguy Rd detour is not known at this time, though it will probably be detoured via Creek Rd to the Cheyney campus. Tanguy is expected to be closed for about 2 months, while Street Rd will be closed for at least 3 months...
And now, yet another classic bus assignment from our friends at Midvale Depot. Neoplan 3455 was seen on - get ready for this - the 35. Yes, a 40-footer on the 35 for the first time in eons, if ever. By the time the operator left Wissahickon for the 4:20pm trip - his sixth of the day - ElDorado 4557 was finally sent out to replace 3455.
March 30, 2002
The 2002 SEPTA Bus Roadeo will be held on June 8 at the Veteran's Stadium parking lot in South Philadelphia. Watch for more details as the date gets closer...
Frontier schedule changes will take effect on Monday, April 8. At this point, there are only a few minor changes planned. More details will follow over the coming week.
March 28, 2002
Southbound trips on Route 92 from West Chester to Exton Square Mall are being detoured from Boot and King Rds via King Rd, Pullman Drive, Ship Rd, and Business US 30 to Exton Square Mall. Construction on PA 100 has traffic clogged for about 1/2 mile approaching the US 30 Bypass. The 9:20am to Exton didn't arrive at Exton Mall until shortly after 10:00am, since that bus was stuck on PA 100. Just another example of SEPTA keeping it's own employees out of the loop.
Sunday, March 31, 2002
Monday, March 25, 2002
ARCHIVES - 3/25/02
An ElDorado was involved in a bizarre accident on the 89 last night. At between 10:00pm and 10:30pm (depending on which station you tuned in to this morning), Midvale 4569, which was looping around Susquehanna Avenue for it's 10:20pm return trip to Arrott Terminal, a car ran a red light and struck the bus, forcing it into a telephone pole, and eventually into a storefront at 2 St & Susquehanna. The driver of the car left the scene. At least 7 people were injured.
On a side note, both KYW-3 and Fox-29 reported the accident occured at 10:30pm, 6-ABC reported the time of the accident as 10:18pm, while NBC-10 put the time at 10:00pm. Also, thorns to 6-ABC's Rick Williams, who incorrectly said that the bus was on the 39, instead of the 89...
As reported, the MCI Demo did in fact appear on the 104 today, operating the 6:00am and 5:33pm round trips to West Chester...
As part of the 104 extension to West Chester University, there is a proposal within SEPTA that would reduce mid-day service from every half-hour to every hour between 10:00am and 2:00pm. Some people within SEPTA management are less than thrilled with that prospect. Never mind management, how do you think the public is going to respond.
On a side note, both KYW-3 and Fox-29 reported the accident occured at 10:30pm, 6-ABC reported the time of the accident as 10:18pm, while NBC-10 put the time at 10:00pm. Also, thorns to 6-ABC's Rick Williams, who incorrectly said that the bus was on the 39, instead of the 89...
As reported, the MCI Demo did in fact appear on the 104 today, operating the 6:00am and 5:33pm round trips to West Chester...
As part of the 104 extension to West Chester University, there is a proposal within SEPTA that would reduce mid-day service from every half-hour to every hour between 10:00am and 2:00pm. Some people within SEPTA management are less than thrilled with that prospect. Never mind management, how do you think the public is going to respond.
Saturday, March 23, 2002
ARCHIVES - 3/23/02
Route 92 service was severely disrupted yesterday after downed power wires fell on Phoenixville Pike between US 322 and Goshen Road. Buses were detoured via US 322, US 202, Paoli Pike, Turner Lane, and Fern Hill Road before resuming the regular route at Phoenixville and Goshen. Trips were running about 5-10 minutes late as a result. 205 block wasn't given the detour route until his 3:50pm trip to West Chester - his 3rd round trip of his run - and as such detoured via US 322 and PA 100 to Exton. The detour marked a rare appearance by a SEPTA supervisor in the West Chester area...
Speaking of the 92, road work on PA 100 and Business US 30 has caused some delays during the mid-day today. Only one lane is available southbound towards West Chester and northbound towards the mall...
What are the chances of this? For the second day in a row, I had a chance to ride the MCI Demo to King of Prussia. This time, I caught it at the Gulph Mills P&W Station en route to King of Prussia, in order to make my connection to the 133...
The revised FY 2002 Annual Service Plan is now being circulated. The Delaware County route restructuring has been scaled back a little. Among the highlights:
Speaking of the 92, road work on PA 100 and Business US 30 has caused some delays during the mid-day today. Only one lane is available southbound towards West Chester and northbound towards the mall...
What are the chances of this? For the second day in a row, I had a chance to ride the MCI Demo to King of Prussia. This time, I caught it at the Gulph Mills P&W Station en route to King of Prussia, in order to make my connection to the 133...
The revised FY 2002 Annual Service Plan is now being circulated. The Delaware County route restructuring has been scaled back a little. Among the highlights:
- The Andorra Route Changes would still be implemented. For those who don't recall (save of course for my contacts in Roxborough), Route 9 would terminate at Summit Loop, with Route 35 operating between Summit Loop and Andorra. Route 61 Express service would be extended to Andorra from it's present terminus at Summit Loop.
- Route 103 would be extended to the Suburban Square/Ardmore Station complex in Lower Merion.
- Route 104 would be extended to West Chester University, with a routing change from the original proposal; the 104 would operate via Gay St, Matlack St, and Chestnut St to High St, then via High St to Sharpless St, Church St, and Rosedale Avenue, laying over at the Bull Center/M Lot, before returning uptown via High St and the loop to New & Market
- The Route 110 local routing would remain unchanged; Route 111 would absorb the 110 Express service and operate via State Road to US 1. Limited weekday and Saturday service would be extended to Chadds Ford and Concordville. This would mark the first transit service to parts of Concord Township (US 1 between Cheyney and Conchester Roads) since the restructuring of Route 119 in 1997.
- Route 111 service would now be operated by Route 122, which would operate via Garrett Road to Westbrook Park and on to Springfield Mall.
- Route 115 would be partially retained between Havertown and Folcroft, with an extension to MacDade Mall via Norwood. Service between Ardmore and Havertown would require a transfer at Brookline to the 103.
- The original Regional Rail schedule improvements will still on the table. The R7 Chestnut Hill East and R8 Fox Chase headway improvements will proceed this year, thanks to $151,000 in funding taken from savings of the Route 76 conversion. The remaining proposals do not have an outside funding source as of yet.
Friday, March 22, 2002
ARCHIVES - 3/22/02
Just a quick note about the guestbook before getting to the rest of the SEPTA news. Some messages were deleted from the board, however, they were duplicated messages. The only time that messages will be deleted is if anyone posts the same message in error. Now that that's been cleared up...
Some artics have been showing up with four digit block numbers, starting with 5xxx. SEPTA is in the process of implementing a new computer aided dispatch system, which would more easily identify routes as opposed to the current Reagan-era radio system. This is part of the reason why the block numbers at Red Arrow were changed during the last pick...
Testing of the MCI demo began in earnest yesterday along the King of Prussia routes (123, 124, and 125). Tentatively, SEPTA will put the demo on the 104 during peak hours on Monday, with the bus operating on the 6:00am West Chester Express and it's 7:00am return trip (Express from Lawrence Rd to 69 St), as well as the 5:33pm West Chester Express and it's 6:42pm return trip (local to 69 St)...
If any New Flyers are assigned to Frontier, then there are only a handful of routes where those buses could operate. In addition to the turn off of Swede St in Norristown, the low floors would have problems in the Royersford area due to a dip in the road near Wendy's and in the Oaks area, effectively taking it off all 99 trips beyond King of Prussia. The 93 has it's share of problems, as the turn out of the Montgomery County Prison also has a bit of a dip. The only routes where the low floors wouldn't have any problems operating out of Frontier are the 124/125, 127, 201, and 206...
Not to brag, but your faithful webmaster recently had a letter to the editor published in the Philadelphia City Paper. The letter was written in response to Sam Katz' off the wall funding proposal for the R6 extension to Reading.
Some artics have been showing up with four digit block numbers, starting with 5xxx. SEPTA is in the process of implementing a new computer aided dispatch system, which would more easily identify routes as opposed to the current Reagan-era radio system. This is part of the reason why the block numbers at Red Arrow were changed during the last pick...
Testing of the MCI demo began in earnest yesterday along the King of Prussia routes (123, 124, and 125). Tentatively, SEPTA will put the demo on the 104 during peak hours on Monday, with the bus operating on the 6:00am West Chester Express and it's 7:00am return trip (Express from Lawrence Rd to 69 St), as well as the 5:33pm West Chester Express and it's 6:42pm return trip (local to 69 St)...
If any New Flyers are assigned to Frontier, then there are only a handful of routes where those buses could operate. In addition to the turn off of Swede St in Norristown, the low floors would have problems in the Royersford area due to a dip in the road near Wendy's and in the Oaks area, effectively taking it off all 99 trips beyond King of Prussia. The 93 has it's share of problems, as the turn out of the Montgomery County Prison also has a bit of a dip. The only routes where the low floors wouldn't have any problems operating out of Frontier are the 124/125, 127, 201, and 206...
Not to brag, but your faithful webmaster recently had a letter to the editor published in the Philadelphia City Paper. The letter was written in response to Sam Katz' off the wall funding proposal for the R6 extension to Reading.
Wednesday, March 20, 2002
ARCHIVES - 3/20/02
MCI demo #6000 was on display for SEPTA officials at 1234 Market earlier this morning. As noted yesterday, testing of the D4501 cruiser is tentatively set to start tomorrow on the 123, 124, and 125 lines...
The US 202/I-76 interchange isn't the only corridor where SEPTA buses are being delayed due to construction. Yesterday, service along West Chester Pike - particularly on the 104 - was delayed anywhere from 5-10 minutes due to roving PennDOT crews in the Havertown area. Heavy congestion also delayed some PM peak eastbound trips near PA 252 in Newtown Square...
Traffic in Center City was gridlocked for about 20 minutes this afternoon after a school bus operated by Delaware County Transportation - a Folcroft-based subsidiary of the embattled Montgomery County based King Transportation - collided with Callowhill 5002. The accident occured as both buses were turning off of Market St onto Juniper St. The side of the school bus struck 5002 - which was deadheading back to Callowhill after finishing up its run on the 21/42 lines (108 block). The DCT school bus had apparently made the turn cut a bit too quickly. 5452, which was operating as a 38 to Wissahickon Transfer Center, was stuck behind the accident scene, as were at least 2 NJT buses. Traffic - including all SEPTA and NJT buses -was diverted onto 13 St until the vehicles were able to clear the scene...
The west end of the Frankford El will see shuttle buses between Frankford Terminal and Spring Garden this weekend. Two weekends from now, there will be another shuttle operation between Frankford and 15 St Stations. This weekend's shuttle will operate between Spring Garden and Frankford; the shuttle on April 6-7 will operate between 15 St and Frankford. Express buses between Frankford and 15 St via Bridge St and I-95 will be in effect for both train stoppages.
The US 202/I-76 interchange isn't the only corridor where SEPTA buses are being delayed due to construction. Yesterday, service along West Chester Pike - particularly on the 104 - was delayed anywhere from 5-10 minutes due to roving PennDOT crews in the Havertown area. Heavy congestion also delayed some PM peak eastbound trips near PA 252 in Newtown Square...
Traffic in Center City was gridlocked for about 20 minutes this afternoon after a school bus operated by Delaware County Transportation - a Folcroft-based subsidiary of the embattled Montgomery County based King Transportation - collided with Callowhill 5002. The accident occured as both buses were turning off of Market St onto Juniper St. The side of the school bus struck 5002 - which was deadheading back to Callowhill after finishing up its run on the 21/42 lines (108 block). The DCT school bus had apparently made the turn cut a bit too quickly. 5452, which was operating as a 38 to Wissahickon Transfer Center, was stuck behind the accident scene, as were at least 2 NJT buses. Traffic - including all SEPTA and NJT buses -was diverted onto 13 St until the vehicles were able to clear the scene...
The west end of the Frankford El will see shuttle buses between Frankford Terminal and Spring Garden this weekend. Two weekends from now, there will be another shuttle operation between Frankford and 15 St Stations. This weekend's shuttle will operate between Spring Garden and Frankford; the shuttle on April 6-7 will operate between 15 St and Frankford. Express buses between Frankford and 15 St via Bridge St and I-95 will be in effect for both train stoppages.
Tuesday, March 19, 2002
ARCHIVES - 3/18/02 & 3/19/02
March 19, 2002
The much talked about MCI D4501 cruiser will begin testing on the 123, 124, and 125 starting on Thursday. MCI 6000 will be assigned out of Red Arrow initially, though Frontier may eventually see this bus on its 124/125 runs. The MCI demo is built to MTA/New York City Transit specs, complete with a sliding wheelchair lift (similar to NJT's new cruisers), a Luminator MegaMax destination sign, and non-LED taillights. There are even some NYC Transit interior decals...
The breakdown for the 5500-series is now tentatively set as follows: Frankford - 5501-5540; Comly - 5541-5585; Red Arrow - 5586-5595; and Southern - 5596-5600. It looks as though Midvale will be shut out from this batch, despite the need to retire the remaining dozen or so 8600-series Neoplans. Most likely, some 3000 and 3100 Neos will be shifted from the Northeast depots (Comly and Frankford) to Midvale...
As for the 5600-series set to arrive next year, that batch is tentatively set to go to Midvale and Frontier.
March 18, 2002
Route 66 used diesel buses instead of the trackless trolleys due to power problems somewhere along Frankford Av. The other ETB routes at Frankford - the 59 and 75 - for the most part still used the ETBs. A mini-tractor was used to push the ETBs out of the yard via Bridge St and Frankford Av. The ETB poles were connected to the catenary at Frankford and Pratt, then operated under their own power to Arrott Terminal.
The much talked about MCI D4501 cruiser will begin testing on the 123, 124, and 125 starting on Thursday. MCI 6000 will be assigned out of Red Arrow initially, though Frontier may eventually see this bus on its 124/125 runs. The MCI demo is built to MTA/New York City Transit specs, complete with a sliding wheelchair lift (similar to NJT's new cruisers), a Luminator MegaMax destination sign, and non-LED taillights. There are even some NYC Transit interior decals...
The breakdown for the 5500-series is now tentatively set as follows: Frankford - 5501-5540; Comly - 5541-5585; Red Arrow - 5586-5595; and Southern - 5596-5600. It looks as though Midvale will be shut out from this batch, despite the need to retire the remaining dozen or so 8600-series Neoplans. Most likely, some 3000 and 3100 Neos will be shifted from the Northeast depots (Comly and Frankford) to Midvale...
As for the 5600-series set to arrive next year, that batch is tentatively set to go to Midvale and Frontier.
March 18, 2002
Route 66 used diesel buses instead of the trackless trolleys due to power problems somewhere along Frankford Av. The other ETB routes at Frankford - the 59 and 75 - for the most part still used the ETBs. A mini-tractor was used to push the ETBs out of the yard via Bridge St and Frankford Av. The ETB poles were connected to the catenary at Frankford and Pratt, then operated under their own power to Arrott Terminal.
Thursday, March 14, 2002
ARCHIVES - 3/14/02
Some trips on Route 92 are apparently being detoured via Ship Road instead of operating via Boot Rd and PA 100 today. Whether or not this was an official detour remains to be seen, but at least one run was operating via Ship Rd - the 12:20pm from West Chester (204 block). However, later trips were operating along PA 100 as if there were no problems...
The long-delayed Annual Service Plan for route changes affecting Delaware County and West Chester will go to the hearing process starting in late April. Details are expected to be released some time next week. Any changes will be posted here as soon as I get them...
ElDorados from Callowhill are starting to show up on Market St, presumably for training on the Route 76/Spree service. Some sources at SEPTA have gone so far as to admit that ridership is abysmal. They claim that people don't recognize the fully wrapped New Flyers as actually operating a SEPTA route. Given the ridership, I would imagine that a cutaway bus would be more appropriate...
At next week's SEPTA Board Meeting, one of the items on the agenda is the installation of bike racks on the 5500 and 5600 series New Flyers. There's no indication that the NABIs, some "newer" Neoplan 40-ft buses, or the artics would be retrofit with bike racks in the near future, but considering that SEPTA seemed almost hesitant to add racks to the buses in the first place, this is actually a big step...
Speaking of the low floors, Callowhill 5422 and 5461, along with Southern 5487, are now at Frankford Depot for training operators on the new buses. That tends to tell me that the 5500s are about to arrive soon. Now sounds like a good time to get those 8700 and 8800 pictures before they're taken off the road...
This weekend marks the last weekend of bus-bridges on the Market St El. Next week, the Frankford El will see buses between Center City and Frankford, with the usual local/express patterns in place for the Frankford side.
The long-delayed Annual Service Plan for route changes affecting Delaware County and West Chester will go to the hearing process starting in late April. Details are expected to be released some time next week. Any changes will be posted here as soon as I get them...
ElDorados from Callowhill are starting to show up on Market St, presumably for training on the Route 76/Spree service. Some sources at SEPTA have gone so far as to admit that ridership is abysmal. They claim that people don't recognize the fully wrapped New Flyers as actually operating a SEPTA route. Given the ridership, I would imagine that a cutaway bus would be more appropriate...
At next week's SEPTA Board Meeting, one of the items on the agenda is the installation of bike racks on the 5500 and 5600 series New Flyers. There's no indication that the NABIs, some "newer" Neoplan 40-ft buses, or the artics would be retrofit with bike racks in the near future, but considering that SEPTA seemed almost hesitant to add racks to the buses in the first place, this is actually a big step...
Speaking of the low floors, Callowhill 5422 and 5461, along with Southern 5487, are now at Frankford Depot for training operators on the new buses. That tends to tell me that the 5500s are about to arrive soon. Now sounds like a good time to get those 8700 and 8800 pictures before they're taken off the road...
This weekend marks the last weekend of bus-bridges on the Market St El. Next week, the Frankford El will see buses between Center City and Frankford, with the usual local/express patterns in place for the Frankford side.
Tuesday, March 12, 2002
ARCHIVES - 3/12/02
Buses in Darby Borough are being detoured due to an early morning water main break at Main St & MacDade Blvd. Routes 113 and 115 are being detoured off of Main St via MacDade Blvd, Springfield Rd, and Chester Pike to Darby Loop. Pull-out/pull-in moves on the 114 and 305 will also be forced to detour off of Main St, which may cause some delays during shift changes. The 11 and 13 trolleys are not affected by this detour. Northbound service along Main St between Darby Loop and MacDade Blvd appears to be operating normally...
As a result of the detours in Darby, the 5:07pm 104 West Chester Express departed 69 St Terminal about 10 minutes late. Hence, another arguement against pairing 104 and 113 trips in the same run...
Today's water main break wasn't the only problem encountered on the 113 in the past few days. On Friday, the 7:07pm Marcus Hook trip didn't run at all. The operator on the 8:12pm Marcus Hook trip didn't appear to be sympathetic at all, and it showed in his attitude according to some reports. Then, on Sunday, the 8:25am trip from Marcus Hook was involved in an accident on 69 St Blvd in front of the Burger King. The driver of the car which struck the NABI (number unknown) allegedly left the scene. Neither a SEPTA supervisor nor police were apparently notified about the accident...
Some interesting number sightings from Southern on Sunday. On the El shuttle, both 3227 and 3327 were used, with 3227 running a few buses after 3327. Also, on the Southern 108 trips, 5380 covered 1 block (the 2:35pm trip to the Airport), while 5480 covered 2 block (the 5:35pm trip to the Airport)...
On Saturday, Media and Sharon Hill trolley service was delayed briefly due to a disabled bus in the 69 St trolley loop. 5300 had completed a 104 trip when it broke down in the passenger drop-off lane of West Terminal at around 1:45pm. Trolleys were forced to discharge passengers at Fairfield Av station, while buses were prepared for shuttle service. 3240 was used to shuttle a bus load of passengers to Fairfield, while 3148 was on stand-by, but wasn't needed. 3156 was called in to push 5300 out of the loop and back to the depot. Normal trolley service resumed at around 2:15pm...
Routes 118, 124, and 133 are being detoured off of North Warner Road via North Guthrie Road to Swedesford Rd due to the reconstruction projects along the US 202 corridor. Expect some delays on all three routes, and on some peak hour 92 trips, which are interlined with the 133 via Exton Square Mall...
Route 10 service was detoured last night after two LRVs derailed at 63 St/Lansdowne Av. Trolley service was diverted to 54 St/Lansdowne Av while buses were called in to shuttle passengers...
Some PCC cars presently stored at Luzerne are about to be transported by Brookville Mine Equipment, the contractor who will rebuild the PCCs for use on the 15 later this year...
The operator who ran the 117/119 609 block last week apparently seems to get the same exact bus every day (it's highly unlikely, but it's one hell of a coincidence). 5404, the bus which was seen on the 119 last week, was spotted on the 110 today - with the same operator covering that run.
As a result of the detours in Darby, the 5:07pm 104 West Chester Express departed 69 St Terminal about 10 minutes late. Hence, another arguement against pairing 104 and 113 trips in the same run...
Today's water main break wasn't the only problem encountered on the 113 in the past few days. On Friday, the 7:07pm Marcus Hook trip didn't run at all. The operator on the 8:12pm Marcus Hook trip didn't appear to be sympathetic at all, and it showed in his attitude according to some reports. Then, on Sunday, the 8:25am trip from Marcus Hook was involved in an accident on 69 St Blvd in front of the Burger King. The driver of the car which struck the NABI (number unknown) allegedly left the scene. Neither a SEPTA supervisor nor police were apparently notified about the accident...
Some interesting number sightings from Southern on Sunday. On the El shuttle, both 3227 and 3327 were used, with 3227 running a few buses after 3327. Also, on the Southern 108 trips, 5380 covered 1 block (the 2:35pm trip to the Airport), while 5480 covered 2 block (the 5:35pm trip to the Airport)...
On Saturday, Media and Sharon Hill trolley service was delayed briefly due to a disabled bus in the 69 St trolley loop. 5300 had completed a 104 trip when it broke down in the passenger drop-off lane of West Terminal at around 1:45pm. Trolleys were forced to discharge passengers at Fairfield Av station, while buses were prepared for shuttle service. 3240 was used to shuttle a bus load of passengers to Fairfield, while 3148 was on stand-by, but wasn't needed. 3156 was called in to push 5300 out of the loop and back to the depot. Normal trolley service resumed at around 2:15pm...
Routes 118, 124, and 133 are being detoured off of North Warner Road via North Guthrie Road to Swedesford Rd due to the reconstruction projects along the US 202 corridor. Expect some delays on all three routes, and on some peak hour 92 trips, which are interlined with the 133 via Exton Square Mall...
Route 10 service was detoured last night after two LRVs derailed at 63 St/Lansdowne Av. Trolley service was diverted to 54 St/Lansdowne Av while buses were called in to shuttle passengers...
Some PCC cars presently stored at Luzerne are about to be transported by Brookville Mine Equipment, the contractor who will rebuild the PCCs for use on the 15 later this year...
The operator who ran the 117/119 609 block last week apparently seems to get the same exact bus every day (it's highly unlikely, but it's one hell of a coincidence). 5404, the bus which was seen on the 119 last week, was spotted on the 110 today - with the same operator covering that run.
Friday, March 08, 2002
ARCHIVES - 3/8/02
On the other side of the river, Amtrak President George Warrington has been named the new Executive Director of New Jersey Transit. Warrington will replace Jeffrey Warsh, who was effectively forced out of his job by New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevy (who hasn't exactly come across as "pro-transit" to people in South Jersey, based on his lack of support for the Camden to Trenton LRT system).
While Warsh's departure was politically motivated to say the least, at least McGreevy had the good sense to appoint someone with both a railroad/transit background, but someone who also is well versed with the quirks at NJDOT. Warrington served as New Jersey's Deputy Transportation Commissioner under Tom Downs, who himself became President of Amtrak in 1994; not too long after Downs' appointment, Warrington became head of the Northeast Corridor Business Unit. Warrington began his career at NJDOT under former SEPTA GM Louis Gambaccini. During the Gambaccini administration at NJDOT, Warrington helped coordinate the launch of NJ Transit, and led NJT Rail Operations...
Back on this side of the river, a New Flyer has been appearing regularly on the 119, which has been a long-time Neoplan stronghold. While the low floors are becoming common on the 117, they rarely are spotted on the 119. For the past two days, 5404 has shown up on 609 block (the 1:20pm "pull-out" 104 from 69 St, then the 2:35pm to Chester)...
The Bus Roadeo season may be a few months away, but Lancaster's Red Rose Transit Authority will be the host for this year's Pennsylvania Public Transportation Association Bus Roadeo, which will be held on the weekend of August 17-18. The site has yet to be determined.
While Warsh's departure was politically motivated to say the least, at least McGreevy had the good sense to appoint someone with both a railroad/transit background, but someone who also is well versed with the quirks at NJDOT. Warrington served as New Jersey's Deputy Transportation Commissioner under Tom Downs, who himself became President of Amtrak in 1994; not too long after Downs' appointment, Warrington became head of the Northeast Corridor Business Unit. Warrington began his career at NJDOT under former SEPTA GM Louis Gambaccini. During the Gambaccini administration at NJDOT, Warrington helped coordinate the launch of NJ Transit, and led NJT Rail Operations...
Back on this side of the river, a New Flyer has been appearing regularly on the 119, which has been a long-time Neoplan stronghold. While the low floors are becoming common on the 117, they rarely are spotted on the 119. For the past two days, 5404 has shown up on 609 block (the 1:20pm "pull-out" 104 from 69 St, then the 2:35pm to Chester)...
The Bus Roadeo season may be a few months away, but Lancaster's Red Rose Transit Authority will be the host for this year's Pennsylvania Public Transportation Association Bus Roadeo, which will be held on the weekend of August 17-18. The site has yet to be determined.
Thursday, March 07, 2002
ARCHIVES - 3/6/02 & 3/7/02
March 7, 2002
It's that time of the year again. SEPTA's Operating Budget hearings for Fiscal Year 2003 are scheduled for the first week of May at the following locations:
March 6, 2002
El service was disrupted during last night's PM peak period following two bomb threats. The first occured at Millbourne Station at 5:31pm, when a cell phone call reported a suspicious package brought on the train at 56 St. When the train arrived at Millbourne, passengers were taken off that train and forced to wait for the next train. At 6:00pm, a second threat was reported on an eastbound train at 60 St Station. Shuttle buses pulled in off of runs from Callowhill were put into service. The shuttle buses were detoured off of Market via 61 St, Chestnut, and 57 St, as the area around 60 St/Market St was blocked for one block in each direction on both 60 St and Market St. Buses operated until 7:10pm, when train service to 69 St was restored. Also affected by the detours were the G, 31, and 46 buses...
Prior to the incidents on the El, the 11 and 36 trolleys were detoured off of Woodland Av due to a suspicious package reported by Philadelphia Police in the area of 40 St. Buses were deployed to shuttle passengers in that area, though I haven't heard what the full detour routing was...
Route 79 was busing last night following a possible fireboming at 15 St/Snyder Av in South Philadelphia. The incident occured at around 11:00pm, causing delays on the 37 and 79...
Tonight's PM peak hour commute isn't going to well either. Due to power problems on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor line, R1 Airport, R2 Marcus Hook/Wilmington, R7 Trenton, and R8 Chestnut Hill West trains were running approximately 30-40 minutes late. Some trains to the Airport were annulled as well...
Over the weekend, a teenager crashed through a window on the mezzanine of Market East Station, landing on a passenger waiting for a Reading-side bound train. The incident occured in the area of Tracks 1/2 in Section A, in the same area as the 11 St entrance to the El. While this hasn't been confirmed, there were believed to be no major delays on Regional Rail lines. (Side note: did somebody say "lawsuit"? It's almost inevitable, even though it was the kid's fault for horsing around in the stairwell area.)...
Upper Merion Township's Residential Rambler service was restructured on Monday. Service no longer operates in Bridgeport, however service was recently re-routed to serve West Conshohocken Borough. There are now 6 trips per day on the Blue Loop (which serves the northern and western parts of Upper Merion) and the Green Loop (which serves the east side of Upper Merion and West Conshohocken) between 9:00am and 12 noon and from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Saturday service apparently has been eliminated.The CART service along City Avenue now accepts SEPTA TransPasses and TrailPasses. It would be nice if some of the other TMA-managed services - particularly those in Chester and Bucks Counties - would follow suit...
The first of three public hearings on Schuylkill Valley Metro took place last night at the Upper Merion Township Building. More than a few of the speakers in favor of the so-called "MetroRail" proposal were practically reading some of the same statements verbatim, particularly as it related to the Enola Branch and improvements to the Phoenixville area. Those who support the $1.8 billion alternative - which would include SEPTA building separate tracks for the entire length between Norristown and Reading - as opposed to a more rational and cost effective plan which would include track sharing seem to have studied their talking points memos very carefully.
It's that time of the year again. SEPTA's Operating Budget hearings for Fiscal Year 2003 are scheduled for the first week of May at the following locations:
- Monday, May 6: Bucks County Courthouse, Main & Court Sts, Doylestown (Route 55)
- Tuesday, May 7: Montgomery County Human Service Center; Community Room, Main Floor, 1430 DeKalb Pike, Norristown (Routes 96 and 98)
- Wednesday, May 8: Delaware County Government Center, Council Meeting Room, 1st Floor, 201 W Front St, Media Courthouse (Routes 101, 110, and 118)
- Thursday, May 9: West Chester Municipal Building, Council Chambers; 401 E Gay St (Routes 104, 119, and 314)
- Friday, May 10: SEPTA Headquarters, Board Room, 1234 Market St, Philadelphia
March 6, 2002
El service was disrupted during last night's PM peak period following two bomb threats. The first occured at Millbourne Station at 5:31pm, when a cell phone call reported a suspicious package brought on the train at 56 St. When the train arrived at Millbourne, passengers were taken off that train and forced to wait for the next train. At 6:00pm, a second threat was reported on an eastbound train at 60 St Station. Shuttle buses pulled in off of runs from Callowhill were put into service. The shuttle buses were detoured off of Market via 61 St, Chestnut, and 57 St, as the area around 60 St/Market St was blocked for one block in each direction on both 60 St and Market St. Buses operated until 7:10pm, when train service to 69 St was restored. Also affected by the detours were the G, 31, and 46 buses...
Prior to the incidents on the El, the 11 and 36 trolleys were detoured off of Woodland Av due to a suspicious package reported by Philadelphia Police in the area of 40 St. Buses were deployed to shuttle passengers in that area, though I haven't heard what the full detour routing was...
Route 79 was busing last night following a possible fireboming at 15 St/Snyder Av in South Philadelphia. The incident occured at around 11:00pm, causing delays on the 37 and 79...
Tonight's PM peak hour commute isn't going to well either. Due to power problems on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor line, R1 Airport, R2 Marcus Hook/Wilmington, R7 Trenton, and R8 Chestnut Hill West trains were running approximately 30-40 minutes late. Some trains to the Airport were annulled as well...
Over the weekend, a teenager crashed through a window on the mezzanine of Market East Station, landing on a passenger waiting for a Reading-side bound train. The incident occured in the area of Tracks 1/2 in Section A, in the same area as the 11 St entrance to the El. While this hasn't been confirmed, there were believed to be no major delays on Regional Rail lines. (Side note: did somebody say "lawsuit"? It's almost inevitable, even though it was the kid's fault for horsing around in the stairwell area.)...
Upper Merion Township's Residential Rambler service was restructured on Monday. Service no longer operates in Bridgeport, however service was recently re-routed to serve West Conshohocken Borough. There are now 6 trips per day on the Blue Loop (which serves the northern and western parts of Upper Merion) and the Green Loop (which serves the east side of Upper Merion and West Conshohocken) between 9:00am and 12 noon and from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Saturday service apparently has been eliminated.
The first of three public hearings on Schuylkill Valley Metro took place last night at the Upper Merion Township Building. More than a few of the speakers in favor of the so-called "MetroRail" proposal were practically reading some of the same statements verbatim, particularly as it related to the Enola Branch and improvements to the Phoenixville area. Those who support the $1.8 billion alternative - which would include SEPTA building separate tracks for the entire length between Norristown and Reading - as opposed to a more rational and cost effective plan which would include track sharing seem to have studied their talking points memos very carefully.
Tuesday, March 05, 2002
ARCHIVES - 3/1/02 & 3/5/02
Saturday service on Routes 92 and 133 have been inconsistent at best. Route 133 in particular has been running late by about 10-20 minutes on some early AM trips, causing missed connections to the 92 at Exton Square Mall.
The most notable problem block over the past three weeks has been 203 block, whose first trip departs King of Prussia at 7:00am. The regular driver is almost - without fail - on time, give or take a minute or two.
In two of the last three weekends, however, spare drivers have operated the line, with 10 minute delays on the 7:00am trip becoming more commonplace...
Speaking of really late buses on weekends, the 2:05pm 113 to Marcus Hook (501 block) left 69 St Terminal 8 minutes late, and left Darby 10 minutes behind schedule.Later in the afternoon, the 5:05pm 113 to Marcus Hook was running about 8 minutes late arriving at Darby; that 113 trip was so late, the 114 to 9 St/Highland Av in Chester departed from Darby before the 113...
Lost drivers are apparently not limited to Frontier. Yesterday, 5315 was seen operating the 112 to Delaware County Community College (I didn't get the block number, but it was the 11:15am departure from 69 St), however the operator appeared to have missed the turn onto Lawrence Road...
Route 105 weekday service has been more or less hit and miss recently, thanks in large part to the construction along Lancaster Av (US 30) in Tredyffrin, Easttown, and Radnor. The 11:45am from 69 St to Paoli (4535/311 block) ran about 5 minutes late arriving into Berwyn, however the next trip (12:45pm, 3380/306 block) was about 5 minutes early passing Berwyn, but about 2 minutes late on it's return trip.
March 1, 2002
Routes H and XH had been detoured in North Philadelphia last week. Buses are operating via Greene & Hansberry, then via Hansberry and Wayne Av to Manheim, and back on it's regular route due to a water main break...
The ElDorados have started to show up at Callowhill. 4575 and 4577 were seen operating on the 63 in South Philadelphia last week. It should only be a matter of time before the ElDorados start showing up on the 30 and Spree.
The most notable problem block over the past three weeks has been 203 block, whose first trip departs King of Prussia at 7:00am. The regular driver is almost - without fail - on time, give or take a minute or two.
In two of the last three weekends, however, spare drivers have operated the line, with 10 minute delays on the 7:00am trip becoming more commonplace...
Speaking of really late buses on weekends, the 2:05pm 113 to Marcus Hook (501 block) left 69 St Terminal 8 minutes late, and left Darby 10 minutes behind schedule.Later in the afternoon, the 5:05pm 113 to Marcus Hook was running about 8 minutes late arriving at Darby; that 113 trip was so late, the 114 to 9 St/Highland Av in Chester departed from Darby before the 113...
Lost drivers are apparently not limited to Frontier. Yesterday, 5315 was seen operating the 112 to Delaware County Community College (I didn't get the block number, but it was the 11:15am departure from 69 St), however the operator appeared to have missed the turn onto Lawrence Road...
Route 105 weekday service has been more or less hit and miss recently, thanks in large part to the construction along Lancaster Av (US 30) in Tredyffrin, Easttown, and Radnor. The 11:45am from 69 St to Paoli (4535/311 block) ran about 5 minutes late arriving into Berwyn, however the next trip (12:45pm, 3380/306 block) was about 5 minutes early passing Berwyn, but about 2 minutes late on it's return trip.
March 1, 2002
Routes H and XH had been detoured in North Philadelphia last week. Buses are operating via Greene & Hansberry, then via Hansberry and Wayne Av to Manheim, and back on it's regular route due to a water main break...
The ElDorados have started to show up at Callowhill. 4575 and 4577 were seen operating on the 63 in South Philadelphia last week. It should only be a matter of time before the ElDorados start showing up on the 30 and Spree.
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