NEW BOSS AT NJDOT New Jersey Transportation Commissioner James Fox was recently named Gov. Jim McGreevey's Chief of Staff, meaning that NJ Transit will have a new chairman of the board (the NJDOT Commissioner also doubles as NJT Board Chairman, among other responsibilities). NJDOT Deputy Commissioner Jack Lettiere, who was in charge of the agency's Capital Program, is the front runner to become new NJDOT Commissioner. This should not have a major impact on NJT operations, but given the often bizarre world of New Jersey politics, who knows?

RIDERSHIP NUMBERS SEPTA's quarterly ridership and revenue report shows some very interesting tidbits, as they always seem to do (all increases/decreases are based on comparisons of the first three months of FY2002 and FY2003). To wit:

• Ridership on the Broad Street Line, for example, was boosted by nearly 8,400 riders using the Pattison/Sports Complex station for the Iggles home opener against the Dallas (hey, didn't you used to be the) Cowboys
  
• Ridership on the 124/125 fell 13 percent, primarily due to the sagging economy; while the King of Prussia malls account for a large number of riders, the office vacancy rates at nearby office complexes north of the malls and along Gulph Rd have increased, with a lot of the "dot.com" and related businesses closing up shop
  
• Ridership on the 123, however, increased about 8 percent, mainly due to more local ridership along West Chester Pike as riders who would've normally used the 104 during peak hours are discovering that the 123 (and, to an extent, the 112) also covers the West Chester Pike corridor between 69 St and Eagle Rd
  
• The 123 ridership increases may be a factor as to why ridership on the 104 decreased 7 percent; of course, SEPTA's foolish plans to reduce weekend service to West Chester may have had something to do with it as well
  
• Ridership along the 113 between 69 St and Marcus Hook increased 10 percent compared to the first quarter of FY'02; I can't seem to figure a reason as to why, but it's possible that people are starting to discover the night owl service on that line
  
• Ridership on the 35 in September doubled, from 160 riders last September to 335 riders this past September; many of the new 35 passengers are undoubtedly displaced 9 riders in Upper Roxborough and Andorra
  
• The 61 has also seen an increase in ridership by about 500 riders compared to September 2001; again, this is most likely related to the Andorra route changes
  
• Compared to last summer, ridership fell sharply on the 98 between Norristown, Plymouth Meeting, Blue Bell, and Willow Grove; it's likely that the Blue Bell area is encountering the same office space problems that King of Prussia and Conshohocken are experiencing (ie. low vacancy rates)
  
• Despite pitiful reliability during the PM peak periods, ridership on the 92 increased 21 percent from last summer; however, ridership on the 133 fell 16 percent, partially because of missed connections, but there is probably a office vacancy rate issue in the PA 252 and Swedesford Rd corridors in Tredyffrin
  
• Ridership on the 203 is, well, pathetic. Only 44 riders/day were being counted in September, which tends to tell me, CMAQ grant or not, that this line is in very deep trouble; except SEPTA Board Chairman/Radio Impresiaro/Turnpike Commissioner/Land Developer Extraordinaire (did I leave something out?) Pasquale T. Deon, Sr. will probably have a lot to say about that, since the 203 serves Lower Bucks
  
• On the other hand, ridership on the other Lower Bucks route seemingly on the endangered list - the 304 - has been steadily increasing (32 percent)
  
• Ridership on the R5 Lansdale-Doylestown line appears to have returned to pre-Ft Washout levels. Recorded ridership on that line in July 2001 was only 9,166; July 2002 ridership was recorded at 13,462, which is about average for that line

Overall ridership on SEPTA was up 2 percent in the first quarter of the present fiscal year, however numbers may be slightly skewed as the fallout from September 11 impacted ridership.

RED ARROW HAPPENINGS A few interesting tidbits from 69 St...

• Recently, Suburban Operations issued a bulletin order requiring buses deadheading eastbound on West Chester Pike to "work in service", picking up passengers along the corridor. This order came in response to numerous complaints from riders about off-duty buses passing up passengers
  
• Red Arrow reportedly has recieved "Lateness Cards" which are supposed to be issued to passengers if a delayed bus causes them to be late for work or school
  
• Neoplans assigned to Red Arrow are not supposed to be used on any route on Sundays; on Saturdays, all lines are supposed to be wheelchair accessible
  
• The 37, 108 and 305 are apparently being detoured around the International Plaza complex due to construction work. It is expected to be a minor re-routing which will continue to serve existing stops

ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER ACCIDENT The Daily News reports that an accident involving an Allegheny artic running the R1 Airport shuttle collided with a car on Market near 12 St yesterday. The accident occured at around 5:45pm, as the bus was headed towards University City. The two occupants in the car were treated and released at Hahnemann Hospital for minor injuries; no passengers on the bus were injured.