NOW THEY GO ORANGE... Either it's a genuine attempt to enhance security or a response to last month's embarassing article by the Daily News during the last Condition Orange declaration. In any case, SEPTA has announced that Transit Police officers will be working on 12 hour shifts until further notice. If you thought that SEPTA was experiencing budget problems now, wait until they see the overtime bill for added police protection.

IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN... The "silly season" for budgets is now upon us. SEPTA released the dates for the FY 2004 Operating Budget today. As in year's past, one hearing will be held in each county. Interestingly enough, there has been no mention of a possible fare increase, which tends to tell me that SEPTA is using that as a last resort (at least we hope so). The hearings will take place on the following days:

• Monday, May 5: Doylestown Courthouse, Main & Court Sts
  
• Wednesday, May 7: Delaware County Council Meeting Room, 1st Floor, Media Courthouse
  
• Thursday, May 8: Montgomery County Human Services Bldg, 1430 DeKalb Pike, Norristown
  
• Friday, May 9: West Chester Borough Hall, 401 W Gay St
  
• Monday, May 12: SEPTA Headquarters, 1234 Market, Philadelphia

The hearings in the suburban counties will begin at 1:30pm; for the Philadelphia hearings, the morning session will take place at 11:00am, and the evening session will take place at 5:00pm (speakers must register no later than 5:30pm). The actual budget proposal will not be released until the first week of April. Let the rampant speculation begin...