SILVERLINER V RUMORS

There have been rumors flowing around about a possible back-door attempt by SEPTA to award the Silverliner V contract to a group led by a Korean firm with minimal experience in rail car building in North America. A group called United Transit Systems LLC, which includes the Korean firm Rotem, will be awarded the Silverliner V contract at the next SEPTA Board rubber-stamp meeting. Some of the circumstances appear to be ethically questionable at best.

To wit, despite having the lowest technical rating of the four bidders (the others were Kawasaki, Sumitomo, and Bombardier), United Transit Systems submitted the lowest bid - $236,530,347 - for 104 rail cars (35 EMU sets and 34 single cars) to be delievered starting in August 2006. There are allegations of political manipulation surrounding the deal, as many of the state's biggest players on both sides of the political aisle are reportedly involved. To wit:

• UTS/Rotem hired Pennsylvania State Republican Committee Chairman Alan Paul Novak for an undisclosed position. One of Novak's partners at Conrad O'Brien Gellman & Rohn, LLC, Philadelphia, is James J. Rohn, is a SEPTA Board member from Chester County. [The apparent theory, according to some insiders, is that Novak will use his friendship with Republican National Committeeman (and convicted felon) Robert B. Asher to influence Montgomery County's two board members and two legislative representatives who also live in Montgomery County; Asher is also close to SEPTA Board member and Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission boss Frank McCartney]
  
• UTS/Rotem retained the powerful Ballard Sphar Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP law firm; one of the attorneys listed as working at that firm is recently elected Montgomery County Commissioner - and SEPTA Board member - Thomas Jay Ellis. Here's an excerpt from Ellis' biography posted at the Ballard Sphar web site:
  
  • Thomas Jay Ellis is a partner in the Public Finance Department. Mr. Ellis has worked on a variety of tax‑exempt financings since joining Ballard Spahr, primarily with Pennsylvania local government and authority issuers. Mr. Ellis also handles government relations matters within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania


• Another lobbyist with deep political ties who was hired by UTS/Rotem is Al Mezaroba, a former aide to City Council President Anna Verna and close ally of State Sen. Vince Fumo (D-1/Peco Energy). One of Mezaroba's close friends is none other than the Chairman of the SEPTA Board, one Pasquale T. Deon, Sr. Both "Don Pasquale" and Mezaroba served on the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority Board of Directors before its recent restructuring. "Don Pasquale's" political mentor, Bucks County GOP boss Harry Fawkes, is also an ally of Mezaroba; the three often spend time in the summer fishing in Alaska (where "Don Pasquale" will be disappointed to learn that there are no toll roads)
  
• UTS/Rotem recently hired former SEPTA GM John K. Leary, Jr. - who was previously affiliated with the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Rail consortium that is currently making the MBTA's commuter rail system even more of a laughing stock than SEPTA - if that's possible - to work with SEPTA staff on the Silverliner V project
  
• Both Rotem, and Incheon, a Korean Trading Company with offices in Philadelphia, have made political contributions to Gov. Edward G. Rendell (D-Pa./Comcast SportsNet); officials from both companies attended Rendell's inauguration

But wait, there's more, some of which is believed to have occured as a result of many of the links above:

• UTS/Rotem has already purchased property at the former Navy Yard site in South Philadelphia, from which they plan to build the Silverliner V cars
  
• As noted in the opening, UTS/Rotem was rated lowest among the four manufacturers who had submitted bids on the Silverliner V
  
• The initial technical specs would have disqualified UTS/Rotem from even submitting a bid. There was a requirement that the carbuilder have previous experience in constructing stainless steel carbodies which comply with FRA regulations; however, that was changed with the release of the revised specs last May. [The official excuse from Assistant GM for Operations/Excuses Pat Nowakowski was that FRA regulations regarding rail car construction had changed from the time the initial RFP was issued until the time the revised RFP was issued.] While Rotem has never built rail cars for North American properties, one of the partners in UTS - NIAC - was the project manager for the Kawasaki Broad Street Line and LRV contracts in 1980.

Following the meeting of the "Committee of the Whole" (whatever that means) in which SEPTA staff gave a presentation on the Silverliner V project, "Don Pasquale" wasn't "took exception" when asked by reporters about some of the above links between Rotem and SEPTA Board members. "Where would the political payoff be?" he responded.

Okay, let's see, how about the creation of 200 jobs that Rendell and Emperor Street (assuming they restore diplomatic relations sometime this decade) can take credit for. Considering the state of the economy today, Rendell and Street need to see as many job created in the commonwealth as possible. That sounds like a pretty good political payoff. Never mind the fact that these jobs won't come to fruition until 2006, but hey, what's a couple years among friends...

As for Jack Leary's involvement with UTS/Rotem?

"He's not one of my favorites," "Don Pasquale" responded. "Why would I want to bring him back?"

Remember that Leary was hired when Tom Heyward was chairman of the SEPTA Board, and that Leary was brought in after that board, led by former Delaware County Councilman Wally Nunn, forced out Lou Gambaccini.

There's already talk of either legal action or possibly protests to the FRA and/or FTA regarding the questionable dealings behind the Silverliner V project. Federal rules prohibit "political intervention", though with the way SEPTA covers its tracks, that could be hard to prove.

Somehow, I get the feeling things are only starting to heat up at 1234 Market...

WHAT'S WRONG WITH THESE KIDS?

The Daily News reports that several incidents along the Broad Street Line and the El in recent weeks have raised concerns about groups of students who attend schools for troubled youths. Both SEPTA officials, school officials, and the Philadelphia Police deny that there's a pattern of assaults on the El, but you have to take those denials at face value.

On Tuesday, a 13-year-old student allegedly assaulted a videographer from Fox 29 at the 5 St El station during the PM peak period. A second suspect was also arrested, according to CBS 3's Walt Hunter. Hunter also reported that both suspects were students at the Community Education Partner School, Front St/Hunting Park Av, which caters to students with disciplinary problems. School District of Philadelphia officials downplayed the connection:

"...[V]iolence is not tolerated but added that often times CEP students are falsely blamed." CBS 3 report

(At least CBS 3 didn't have far to travel for this story, as their studios are right at 5 St/Market St.)

The operators of the school in question went into full Richard Maloney mode to the Daily News:

The 13-year-old was identified as a student at the Hunting Park CEP school by Kevin Feeley, spokesman for Community Education Partners, a contractor that operates the schools.

"There's no evidence that there's a pattern of assaults involving CEP students, at least that we've been told," Feeley said.

As for SEPTA's Minsitry of Mis-Information?

"In the past few months we've gotten reports of kids fooling around, but there have not been any serious assaults and there have not been any serious injuries," said SEPTA spokesman Jim Whitaker.

This might explain why police have started to maintain a stronger presence at some Center City stations, including the deployment of a bike officer normally assigned to the Zone 1 station at 69 St Terminal.

Apparently, that was only the most recent incident involving CEP students:

Veronica Joyner, founder and chief administrative officer of the Mathematics, Civics and Sciences Charter School, at Broad and Buttonwood streets, said yesterday that about 30 students from another CEP school at 12th Street and Allegheny Avenue attacked three girls from the charter school last week on the Broad Street Subway.

She said others had attempted to attack kids on a class trip recently until teachers and parents stopped them. Daily News report

Okay, maybe two incidents don't neccesarily constitute a pattern, but it should at least send up a few red flags along the way. Then again, there are times when kids tend to get violent anyway, regardless of where they go to school. There have been a few scirmishes between students from Bonner/Prendegast high schools in Drexel Hill and from West Catholic that took place in 69 St Terminal over the past few years (I personally observed one such incident two years ago). Yet, if this is a sign of things to come, people better be very careful when riding SEPTA.

SAD COMMENTARY

Former SEPTA Board Vice Chairman Richard Voith authored yet another interesting piece on the state of SEPTA's finances in today's Daily News. His experiences in dealing with the 9 bus probably hits home to some of our regular contributers to the site.

CITY TRANSIT SCHEDULE CHANGES

Schedules in the City Transit Division change this Sunday. Among the highlights (that have been noted so far):

ROUTE 1 New Saturday service to operate between Wissahickon Loop and Academy Rd/Red Lion Rd
ROUTE 14 Increased weekday service from Roosevelt Blvd/Byberry Rd during the evening peak
ROUTE 17 Weekday Navy Yard service cut back to Broad St/Pattison Av; weekend service to Navy Yard retained
ROUTE 20 Weekday AM inbound express trips to Bridge-Pratt will operate with limited stops along Frankford Av at Rhawn, Cottman, Levick, and Robbins
ROUTE 27 "Revised running times" to address on-time performance
ROUTE 28 Service adjustments between 6:00pm and 9:30pm
ROUTE 31 SHUTTLE Service starts earlier; now operates between 10:00am and 7:00pm
ROUTE 53 Extended to Broad St/Hunting Park Av
ROUTE 58 Increased inbound service to Bridge-Pratt between 3:00pm and 7:00pm
ROUTE 65 Boarding location at 69 St Terminal will return to the North Terminal
ROUTE 70 1:43am westbound trip from Torresdale Loop will be extended to Fern Rock; 1:46am eastbound trip from Fern Rock will be extended to Torresdale Loop
ROUTE 71 New Navy Yard Shuttle service to operate from 5:40am to 6:55pm, operating every 30 minutes; service will be bike accessible

The SEPTA press release also note service changes on the 8 and 52. More details will be posted about route changes on other lines when they become available.

RIVER LINE BLITZ BEGINS

The heavy marketing blitz for the River Line has begun in earnest. NJ Transit launched a web site which includes schedule information (once the service starts next month) and special promotions throughout South Jersey. According to the Trenton Times, the web site is only one part of the marketing blitz, which will include a mass mailing along the entire corridor and bus advertising.

THE GREAT DISAPPEARING ACT...

Take this item for what it's worth...

We hear from a reliable source that shortly after the explosion at Ogontz and Olney on Friday, Fearless Leader was reportedly paged as she was about to leave for the weekend. Presumably, she was paged in hopes that she'd report to Olney Terminal to help coordinate the mass chaos up there. According to a spy down in Center City, she reportedly went home instead.

The knee jerk reaction would be to wonder why the chief executive officer of a major transit agency would not want to respond to what was a major operational nightmare in North Philadelphia. Yet, at the same time, that's why there's a control center. That's why there's supposed to be senior managers who are supposed to handle these things.

One area where SEPTA failed was in communicating to it's passengers via the internet. Though I didn't have a chance to confirm this, some of our contributors report that SEPTA made no mention of any detours around Olney Terminal (it was later learned that buses were diverted to Fern Rock) on its web site. Apparently, the people responsible for maintaining the home page of the web site only work during normal business hours; it didn't occur to anyone that not everyone may have been aware about the explosion and had logged onto the web site thinking all was well at Olney.

Of course, when you're dealing with a transit system that seems to place customer relations at the bottom of its priority lists, this can't really come as a shock...

MORE BUSES IN BURLINGTON COUNTY

The River Line is still not operational, but that hasn't stopped Burlington County from adding more services to it's wildly successful BurLink service. A new route - the B5 - began operation today, connecting the Florence Park & Ride/River Line station with employment centers at the Haines Industrial Center in Burlington Twp. Burlington County officials report strong ridership on the new shuttle services that were implemented last month. And that's without the River Line starting up when it was supposed to (namely, yesterday).

TAKE THIS FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH...

Perhaps the company that provides the destination signs for SEPTA's fleet knows something that we don't...

According to a press release issued by Digital Recorders, Inc., parent company of TwinVision, announced the following:

Canada-based New Flyer ordered TwinVision(R) amber all-LED EDSS for 100 bus vehicles in the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Agency (sic) public transit fleet. Delivery is expected to conclude in April 2004.

Considering how fast some of the recent orders from New Flyer were delivered, it appears that the first of the 5700s should be arriving on SEPTA property in a matter of days. There's a possibility of delays with this order due to the change-over from an Allison transmission to a ZF transmission, starting with this order.

Meanwhile, despite the fact that they haven't been deployed yet, SEPTA is promoting it's new Champion cutaway buses on some of its timetables. 2070, which is apparently the prototype bus, is featured on the new timetables for the 92, 130, and 304. Despite initial reports that the buses would be on an International chasis, they actually are being built on a Freightliner chasis.

SILVERLINER V UPDATE ... WE HOPE

In a rare meeting, the SEPTA Board's "Committe of the Whole" will meet on Thursday to listen to a presentation regarding the ongoing Silverliner V project. The meeting will be held in the board room at 1234 Market starting at 10:30am. This is the first time that I can recall such a meeting of this committee (which, in effect, is the full board, but don't expect any items to be voted on here). Two years ago, DVARP blasted SEPTA for holding a similar presentation out of public view.

FIRST PUBLIC HEARING OF THE YEAR

The first SEPTA Public Hearing of the year will take place on Tuesday, March 16 at the Overbrook Presbyterian Church, 6376 City Av, Philadelphia, to accept public comments on the re-routing of the northbound 65 bus to directly serve the 63 St/Malvern Av loop. The hearing begins at 1:30pm.

YET ANOTHER WEB GEM

The good news on the internet front is that the route maps of selected eliminated routes and a mystery schedule for a "Route 85" have been removed from the SEPTA web site.

The bad news?

Apparently when someone posted the northbound P&W schedules, they left off one very important timepoint...

The 69 St Terminal.

How useful....

[Editor's note: As of Wednesday, 19 February, this was corrected to include the 69 St Terminal timepoint.]

SILLY SEASON BEGINS

TWU Local 234 president (at least for this week) Jean Alexander and Fearless Leader launched what is often known as the "Silly Season" - aka the contract negotiations between TWU and SEPTA. The collective bargaining agreement covering City Transit Division employees expires March 15.

Friday's Inquirer report gave the impression that this was more of a love-in rather than the start of a traditionally stressful period for management, employees, and the riding public. Following the traditional handshake after the exchange of proposals, Alexander and Fearless Leader embraced.

Seriously.

Ah, but there's more...

Still, asked what they expect between now and March 15 when the contract expires with about 4,700 city bus drivers, cashiers and mechanics, (SEPTA General Manager Faye L.M.) Moore and Alexander both spoke of a relationship forged over the last year as they fiercely lobbied for more transit funding in Harrisburg.

"I like the spirit in this room today," Moore, 53, said after trading contract proposals with Alexander. "We have worked together and we will work together."

Alexander, 67, said: "I am really confident we will be able to do this contract and things will work out well."

Too bad I was tied up in Media on Monday morning, otherwise I would've loved to have seen that scene. Meanwhile, Alexander offered a gem that has moved to the front of the "Richard Maloney Under-statement of the Year" award.

"We all know a strike is not good for anybody," Alexander said.

Duh. As if some poor schmuck from Fishtown actually thought a SEPTA strike was a good idea...

In any case, the big issue in this round of negotiations appears to be medical benefits and pensions. With Harrisburg in their annual "Let's bitch about other irrelevant things while the budget goes unresolved" portion of the legislative season, SEPTA's June 30 deadline for passing a budget, and the union's March 15 contract deadline, there's talk that in addition to the traditional one-week negotiation period extension, that contract talks could stretch out for nealry a year, depending on what the legislature and Gov. Edward G. Rendell (D-Pa./Comcast SportsNet) decides to do.

There's also the domino affect involving TWU-represented operators and mechanics at Frontier - whose contract expires on April 15 - and the UTU Local 1594 represented operators and TWU-represented mechanics at Red Arrow - those contracts expire on April 1 - there's always the slim possibility that one of those two divisions could go out on strike if things get dicey with the CTD negotiations.

It's probably too early to start breaking out the strike plans, but that could always change in a few weeks.

ANOTHER CRY FOR HELP

The Phoenix presented a strong editorial supporting Rendell's preference to link future increases in the gas tax for highways to funding increases for mass transit. Yet, the legislature would rather travel to the far reaches of Canada rather than increase taxes in an election year. Stay tuned...

TRESPASSER DEATH RULED SUICIDE

A trespasser was struck and killed by an R7 train Wednesday evening. Details have been sketchy over the past few days (or they've been scattered among different news sources), however Philadelphia Police reported that a female was struck by the train shortly after 6:00pm (the train involved is believed to be the #4656 from Trenton). Click here for more details (warning: some of the details are not for the squeamish).

RED ARROW/FRONTIER SCHEDULES CHANGE

This is a preliminary listing of route changes that will take place in the Red Arrow and Frontier divisions next week.

FRONTIER (Feburary 15/16)

ROUTE 99 Service re-routed in Royersford via Main St, 10 St, and Royersford Rd en route to Limerick Square Shopping Center; service re-routed in Phoenixville via PA 29, Bridge St, Main St, and Nutt Rd
"Minor schedule changes" will be implemented on Routes 92/133, 94, 96, 97, 131, and 201 (details to be posted as soon as new timetables are obtained). Schedules for the 204, 206, 207/WHIRL, and 314 will not change.

RED ARROW (February 16)

P&W/ROUTE 100 A new Norristown limited will depart from 69 St at 6:00am, stopping only at Ardmore Jct, Bryn Mawr, Radnor, and Gulph Mills; added Norristown Express/Bryn Mawr Local services between 6:00pm and 7:00pm.
ROUTE 101/102 Early morning times will be adjusted to improve connections to other routes at 69 St Terminal
ROUTE 105 New Sunday service between 69 St and Suburban Square/Ardmore Rail Station in Lower Merion
ROUTE 109 New OWL service; Revised weekday evening schedules between 6:00pm and 7:00pm
ROUTE 110 Two weekday "express" trips departing 69 St Terminal at 5:15pm and 5:45pm will operate non-stop to Township Line Rd (US 1)/Lansdowne Av via West Chester Pike
ROUTE 115 New weeknight evening service to DCCC/Southeast Campus on Elmwood Av in Sharon Hill (the new Southeast Campus replaces the Collingdale Center on MacDade Blvd)
ROUTE 123 Weekday peak service will be diverted to serve the Gulph Mills P&W Station (this must be a I-76 congestion related move, since it seems to defeat the purpose of the 123 to connect with the P&W at Gulph Mills)
ROUTE 124/125 Re-routed within Center City due to reconstruction of 13 St El/Subway-Surface station; buses will now depart from N 10 St between Market and Filbert Sts (Market East Station/Gallery at Market East), operating via Market to 15 St/JFK Blvd, and en route to King of Prussia and points north; buses to Center City will operate via Market, 16 St, Vine St and 10 St, making all stops along Market, at 16 St/JFK Blvd (Suburban Station); Broad St/Vine St; and at Market East.
"Minor schedule changes" will be implemented on Routes 104, 106, 108, 111, 112, 113, 114, 117/119, 120, 122, and 305 (details to be posted as soon as new timetables are obtained).

City Transit Division schedule changes will be posted and made available next week, with those timetables to change on February 22/23.

NOT SO FAST, SEPTA...

Remember in one of my postings on Sunday how I wished I could be a fly on the wall on Tuesday as Gov. Edward G. Rendell (D-Pa./Comcast SportsNet) addressed the Pennsylvania Public Transportation Association's Government Affairs Conference? Well, the Inquirer was kind enough to send Jere Downs to cover Rendell's appearance (though I had nothing to do with it...).

In today's Inquirer, the governor/sports commentator delivered some bad news to the commonwealth's nearly 70 public transit agencies.

"I will give you a guarantee that I will not let that (gas tax) funding occur without having corollary funding for mass transit," Rendell said at the Harrisburg Hilton meeting [insert your own Paris Hilton joke here - ed.].

But a gas tax/transit tax increase should wait until late fall, when Congress is expected to define future federal transportation funding, Rendell said.

"I am taking my lead from the legislature, but I think we should wait to see," Rendell told the group representing the state's 70 transit agencies. "What happens in Washington will affect us dramatically."

Rendell's shifting the blame from Harrisburg to Washington is not going to sit too well with Fearless Leader and the Rotating Resumes at 1234 Market St. The threat of DRACONIAN SERVICE CUTS and a fare increase will rear its ugly head yet again, and it's highly doubtful that anything will be resolved until after the election.

If you read between the lines, Rendell is essentially saying that gas and/or transit taxes will have to wait until after the legislative election, but is trying not to say it explicitly by blaming Congress.

The prospect of waiting for relief until late fall did not please transit officials. Decisions on whether to raise fares or cut service must be made when the fiscal year ends this spring.

For many legislators, (SEPTA's legislative counsel Jeanne E.) Neese said, "it is too difficult to do a tax vote before an election."

SEPTA faces a $61.5 million deficit that must be resolved by July 1. SEPTA officials privately said yesterday that they were still scraping together a short-term financial strategy. In Pittsburgh, the Port Authority of Allegheny County is coping with a projected $27 million shortfall.

If you recall, SEPTA did not pass a finalized budget for the current fiscal year until this past rubber-stamp session of the SEPTA Board. Either fare hikes and service cuts are on the horizon or it will be deja vu all over again...

MARKET ST MESS

Bus service in Center City was severely disrupted during the mid-day hours yesterday due to two separate incidents along Market St.

The first incident took place at 2 St shortly before 1:00pm when Philadelphia fire fighters responded to what was either a medical emergency or a false alarm depending on who you talk to. Fire apparatus took out the eastbound lanes at 2 St, forcing all eastbound 17, 33, and 48 buses to carefully weave their way into Penns Landing.

The second incident occured at 10 St a few minutes after 1:00pm, when 5637, covering a 17 trip to South Philadelphia (7326 block) - and carrying a full load at that - attempted to pass a disabled taxi that was blocking the "bus lane" in front of the Gallery. While the bus was attempting to navigate around the taxi, some idiot in a Chrysler Concorde attempted to pass the bus (ending up in the eastbound lanes), and in doing so, got struck. No injuries were reported, but the driver of the Concorde probably recieved a few "bad driving certificates" courtesy of the Philadelphia Police. What that bozo probably deserves is the "Bam Margera Jackass Driver of the Week award".

Fortunately, there was minimal damage to either vehicle, but both SEPTA and NJT buses were stuck in a traffic tie-up for nearly 20 minutes. Several buses ended up with standing loads as the approached 15 St/JFK Blvd, including a pair of 33s and a pair of 17s.

DUMB CRIMINAL FILE

And now, another page in the incredible book of SEPTA's Stupidest Criminals.

Today, we take you to the Audubon district of Lower Providence Township, Montgomery County, where two bank robbers were captured after allegedly robbing the National Penn Bank in Royersford and using a 99 bus (for the record, the bus involved was 5147/from the very grainy video feed from NBC 10, it appears this was 6149 block) to escape.

Today's lesson for criminals? Don't escape on SEPTA...

According to the Pottstown Mercury and other news sources, James Thomas Roberts, 38, and Alyson L. Stephen, 44, both of Royersford, entered the National Penn Bank branch on Main St in Royersford shortly after 1:00pm. The couple then escaped on the 12:25pm departure from Limerick Square to Norristown.

Bank employees activated a GPS tracker located in one of the money bags. At around 1:10pm, Royersford Police, with the assistance of several neighboring police departments, converged on 5147 at Egypt and Trooper Rds in Lower Providence.

All passengers were removed from the bus. While male suspects were interrogated at gunpoint, the women and children on board the bus were allowed to wait inside the Arby's at Audubon Square Shopping Center. After a lengthy investigation, a witness identified Roberts as one of the alleged robbers.

Meanwhile, police were still searching for Roberts' accomplice. Police were unaware that Stephen was allegedly in posession of the stolen money. An alert employee noted Stephen acting suspiciously while entering the women's restroom. Police recovered most of the money from Stephen's pockets.

Both Roberts and Stephen are being held at Montgomery County Prison on $250,000 and 10 percent of $30,000 bail respectively.

MORE DELAYS IN WEST CHESTER CONSTRUCTION

Thanks in part to SEPTA's foot-dragging, it appears that hell may freeze over before the West Chester Transportation Center/Chester County Parking Garage will ever be built.

According to Friday's editions of the Daily Local News, Chester County commissioners announced the hiring of Unruh Turner Burke and Frees to help in negotiations with SEPTA for the new bus station to be located at Market and New Sts. The delays are wreaking havoc with the county's ability to begin construction on the new Criminal Justice Center, which would be located across the street on the site of the current Dague Building. The garage was to have been completed last year, but, as one could expect from SEPTA when it comes to Chester County issues, that didn't happen.

Of course, by the time this gets built, there may not be as many routes serving West Chester, because...

SEGUE ALERT!

Gov. Edward G. Rendell (D-Pa./Comcast SportsNet) proposed a 3.4 percent increase in transit funding state-wide. The Inquirer reports that it will amount to $8.5 million in additional funding for SEPTA, simply a drop in the bucket when compared to the nearly $70 million budget gap that is staring Fearless Leader and the Rotating Resumes at 1234 Market in the face.

SEPTA money managers cannot relax, however. Even with Rendell's help, a $61.5 million hole would remain in the tentative $917 million budget for fiscal 2005 - equivalent to the cost of virtually all transit services in Delaware and Chester Counties.

Already, some board members are going into their "The Sky is Falling" phase...

"If we don't get the money [to cover] our shortfall, we don't have many places we can go," said James C. Schwartzman, vice chairman of SEPTA's board. "There are either service cuts or fare increases, or a combination."

The Pennsylvania Public Transportation Association, a lobbying group that represents the interests of virtually all transit operators in the commonwealth, was less than enthused about Rendell's "generosity".

"We are far behind," said Michael Imbrogno, chairman of the Pennsylvania Public Transportation Association, which represents more than 70 systems. "We need new taxes or other innovative ways of funding transit." ...

One idea, Imbrogno said, would be to reprise the 1997 package of tax increases, which raised levies on gasoline to pay for road repairs and sales taxes to help transit systems. (PPTA) officials also plan to press their case next Tuesday at a conference in Harrisburg devoted to transit funding. Rendell will speak, followed by a panel discussion featuring such key legislators as Sen. Vincent J. Fumo (D., Phila.) and Rep. Richard Geist (R., Blair), chairman of the House Transportation Committee.

Oh, to be a fly on the wall for that little pow-wow...

DIRT-DIGGING, NJT STYLE

It seems that the folks at NJ Transit have taken a page out of SEPTA's Ministry of Mis-Information handbook when it comes to the controversial River Line.

On Wednesday, the Cherry Hill Courier Post reported on NJ Transit's claims that dirt dumped in Camden that was reportedly contaminated is in fact clean fill.

"This is dirt that can be placed anywhere," Penny Bassett-Hackett, a spokeswoman for NJ Transit said Tuesday.

The Salem County Landfill is reported to be one of the recipients of the "clean fill", and reportedly planned to honor it's deal with NJT. Elk Township, Gloucester County, was to have been another recipient, however officials apparently had cold feet and backed out...

Perhaps Elk Township officials knew something that NJT didn't know or failed to disclose. Friday's Courier Post reported that at least one enviormental expert disagrees with NJT's "clean fill" claims.

"Heavy metals don't break down," said Rodger Ferguson, referring to one of the principal categories of contaminants in the dirt NJ Transit left while building the 34-mile Camden-to-Trenton light rail line, which is scheduled to start running March 14.

Also quite stable are polyaromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs, he said. PAHs are another category of contaminants found in the 124,000 cubic yards of dirt that NJ Transit excavated from the light rail's right-of-way and dumped in East Camden.

"They do not break down readily. It takes decades," said Ferguson, operating manager of New Brandywine Environmental in Pemberton Township.

Not surprisingly, the NJT spokeswoman didn't comment.

LIFE IN "EL"

All is not well for business owners along the Market St corridor in West Philadelphia.

The Inquirer recently reported on the complaints of business owners in the El re-construction area. Some merchants have either been forced to cut back on basic expenses or close completely.

"Basically, there's no money, no salary at the end of the week," said Chuck O'Connor, owner of Bargain House at 52d and Market Streets. He has offered his store for sale after more than three decades of working there.

"I don't think my wife and I have gone out to dinner for a couple of years," said O'Connor, who has spoken for businesses along Market and 52d Streets at meetings and hearings about the reconstruction project.

NEW NAVY YARD SHUTTLE

When schedules change on City Division routes in two weeks, service to the Navy Yard will be restrucutred.

The 17 will now only serve the Navy Yard on weekends, with a new Route 71 being created to operate between Pattison Station and the Navy Yard on weekdays. The 71 is being funded by a CMAQ grant. More details will be posted later this week.

THE 10 THINGS I THINK I THINK...

With apologies to Sports Illustrated's Peter King (the NFL beat columnist whose Monday Morning Quarterback is the inspiration for this post), here are 10 things that I think I think:

1. I think there is a major bus shortage at Red Arrow ... again. Either that, or there's a management or accountability problem. In any case, departing 69 St Terminal on-time seems to be a foreign concept for some operators out of that particular depot. To wit:

• The 5:45am 104 local to West Chester (3380/4220 block) - which is a pull-out for the first 119 from West Chester to Chester - did not pull into the center island platforms at 69 St until 5:55am. By that time, the 6:05am 104 express to West Chester (3265/4222 block) had already pulled into the terminal and was waiting to depart. Meanwhile, the 5:55am 104 Newtown Square local (5372/4215 block) had departed on-time. 4220 block did not depart 69 St Terminal until 5:57am - 12 minutes behind schedule.
  
• The 2:50pm 104 Newtown Square local (5589/4238 block) pulled out of the depot late and departed 69 St Terminal at 2:57pm; this operator is usually pretty good about leaving on-time.
  
• The 3:05pm 104 West Chester local (3450/4239 block) pulled out of 69 St Terminal 6 minutes late. A few minutes earlier, 3450 had pulled-in from the 118 (4631 block) before being sent right back out to cover the 104.

This leads me to my next point...

2. I think that Red Arrow management consider the 104 a low priority line. It seems that despite a shortage of buses, every other line start their respective runs on time during peak hours. Not the 104. It's almost a running joke that people are now starting to take over/under bets as to how late the 104 will be when departing 69 St Terminal during peak hours. Yet, with the way certain lines have their runs cut, no other route seems to have problems with buses departing terminals on time (ie. the 108, 109, 113, etc). Maybe I missed something, but didn't the 104 - or at least the West Chester Pike corridor - used to be one of the highest priority lines in Red Arrow? The 104 used to be the first line to get newer buses when Red Arrow was still run by the Taylor family. Now, we're lucky to see maybe 1 or 2 New Flyers during peak hours and a steady diet of slow running Neos during the rest of the day. And, despite bulletin orders that specifically prohibit using Neoplans on Sundays out of Red Arrow, the 4217 block on Sunday always gets a Neoplan. No other route can claim that distinction on Sundays; not even the 305.

3. I think there needs to be a few minor routing and major schedule changes to the 104:

• For starters, eliminate the loop through the Bull Center parking lot. Most operators already blow that part of the routing off, so why not make it official. It just adds about 2-3 minutes to the running time.
  
• Re-route the 104 off of West Chester Pike between US 202/322 and Bolmar St and operate it via Paoli Pike and US 202/322 (similar to the present 119 routing between West Chester and PA 352) to allow daily service to West Goshen Shopping Center. The present combination of the 119 and 314 (both of which only operate on weekdays) just isn't cutting it.
  
• All West Chester trips (save for peak hour expresses) would operate directly into the Edgmont Square Shopping Center complex. When SEPTA re-routed all trips after 7:00pm via Edgmont Square, the rationale was safety. Well, it's still pretty unsafe to cross West Chester Pike at Edgmont even during daylight hours.
  
• All peak hour Newtown Square Corporate Campus trips would be extended to Edgmont Square as follows: AM PEAK - Outbound from 69 St Terminal to West Chester Pike/Bishop Hollow Rd, then via Bishop Hollow Rd, Campus Blvd, and West Chester Pike to Edgmont, layover, depart from Edgmont directly to 69 St Terminal via West Chester Pike; PM PEAK - Outbound from 69 St Terminal direct to Edgmont Square, then inbound via Edgmont Square, West Chester Pike, Campus Blvd, Bishop Hollow Rd, and West Chester Pike.
  
• Some AM peak trips from Broomall to 69 St Terminal should be eliminated; and finally
  
• Give some of these West Chester to 69 St operators more than 4 minutes to recover at 69 St Terminal before heading right back out to West Chester.

Of course, hell has a better chance of freezing over before SEPTA makes any changes to the 104 that actually make sense, but that's just me...

4. I think there needs to be a supervisor assigned to Parkway Shopping Center during the PM peak period. More often than not, the 92 buses arriving from Exton have been getting in about 5-10 minutes late, then, instead of turning around and returning to Exton on time, are apparently taking their sweet time either at the McDonalds or Wawa along S High St. It has screwed me over big time when that happens on a couple of occasions. About 2 weeks ago, the 4:25pm departure (2055/6019 block) made it to West Chester a few minutes before it was supposed to leave Parkway Shopping Center. It didn't get to High St/Linden St until 4:37pm. As a result, it got to Exton Rail Station late, and I missed the R5 as a result. It's not fun to spend an hour in near arctic conditions at a station with no real amenities (ie. restrooms or heated shelters).

5. I think SEPTA should conduct a major inquiry into how poorly the ElDorados have been handling the recent cold snap. There are rumors through the grapevine, particularly at Frontier, that most of the ElDorados had been breaking down in recent weeks due to the cold weather. One theory, according to one operator, was that SEPTA recently purchased a less expensive fluid which is supposed to protect certain engine lines from freezing. Obviously, if these rumors are correct, it didn't work. This might explain why some 40-ft Neoplans had been showing up on the 92/133 on Saturdays. It also might explain why 40-ft buses are showing up on some of the lower volume Red Arrow routes on Saturdays and Sundays.

6. I think whomever designed the present 127 routing must have had a few screws loose. Instead of providing a relatively straight trip from Oxford Valley to Trenton via Morrisville, the 127 features one of the most bizarre routings of any bus route that I've ever seen (and yes, that includes the fact that the 98 has to serve Blue Bell before going to Plymouth Meeting Mall). After taking a straight shot up Lincoln Hwy from Neshaminy to Oxford Valley, the route zig-zags all over Lower Bucks to the point where it's very easy to become disoriented. After looping around Oxford Valley Mall and it's various office parks and Sesame Place, it heads down Oxford Valley Rd to the former Levittown Shopping Center, but not before diverting onto Hood Blvd and serving Pennsbury High School, then heads north on the 13 Freeway before exiting onto Mill Creek Rd and serving industrial centers and trailer parks along Bristol Pike before heading south on the 13 Freeway to Fallsington. Then, instead of staying straight on Tyburn Rd to W Trenton Av, it diverts yet again to serve Kings Plaza en route to Morrisville and Trenton. If you're not dizzy after reading that description, congratulations. In any case, the operator I rode with on the 127 told me that a lot of Frontier operators are avoiding working any of the Lower Bucks routes since they were restructured three years ago. After a dizzying ride on the 127, I can't say that I blame them...

7. I think NJ Transit owes the people of South Jersey a major apology. First, the River Line (aka the $1 billion boondoggle that was poorly planned from the start) was supposed to being operations in late 2002. Then, it was pushed back to last summer ... then to last fall ... then to Febuary 15 ... then to March 14 (hey, what's another month or two between friends, right?). By the time this line actually begins operation, Gov. James E. McGreedy (D-N.J.) will probably be out of office. To make matters worse, bus commuters in South Jersey have been forced to deal with older Flxible Metro B buses being imported from North Jersey on routes such as the 400, 403, 404, 405, 406, and other lines out of the Newton Av and Washington Twp garages. Haven't the people of South Jersey suffered enough?

8. I think someone from the City of Trenton needs to take a real hard look at the way traffic flows - or more accurately, doesn't flow - along State St during the mid-day hours. Yesterday, while riding on the 608 bus from the train station to the State House complex, it seemed to take forever to get from Clinton St to Warren St. And that was after the city re-opened the State St Commons, which had been closed to vehicular traffic for a long time. Then again, what do you expect from the State of New Jersey?

9. I think the people responsible for winter related maintenance along the R5 Paoli/Thorndale line should be investigated. This morning, the platforms at Paoli Station, particularly along the edge of the station, were icy. Is it going to take someone slipping, falling, and striking their head against a rail car before someone decides that it might be a good idea to lay some salt down on the edge of the platforms before the start of service? Or is that asking too much...

10. I think these are my non-transit related items:

• ABC should fire Justin Timberlake from his (ahem) "sideline reporting" job and his commercials promoting the network's NBA coverage after his role in that stunt during the Super Bowl half-time show. I think I speak for a lot of America when I ask, "Who knew that Timberlake was still even remotely relevant?" Does the NFL and CBS/MTV really expect us to believe that they didn't know what the hell was going to happen during the half-time show? Oh, and that excuse Timberlake gave was one of the most ridiculous I've ever heard in my life. "Wardrobe malfunction?" Sure, pal, and I've got a bridge in Tacony for sale. By the way, I missed the infamous "malfunction" in question, since I would rather watch paint dry than a Super Bowl half-time show...
  
• Despite a lot of outrage over Kid Rock's use of the American flag during the same halftime show, the one thing you can say is this: At least he didn't burn it. It wasn't exactly an appropriate use of the flag, but the way I see it, he was showing pride in the United States. Considering the attitudes of a lot of these Hollywood losers who bash this country, that says something...
  
• The only two people in that half-time show who are breathing a sigh of relief are over-rated rappers (then again, they're all over-rated) "Nelly" and Sean Combs (aka Puff Daddy). Thanks for pointing out that you do in fact have the proper (ahem) body parts that men are supposed to have. We really didn't need you to point them out to the world...
  
• Bam Margera is an embarassment to West Chester. If you don't know who this loser is, you probably don't watch MTV. Margera was one of the featured (ahem) stars of MTV's "Jackass" and now has his own MTV show "Viva La Bam". The premise of both shows are basically a group of guys performing stunts that no rational human would ever think of trying. As someone who lives in West Chester, I'd rather claim American Idol I loser Justin Guarini as a favorite son (but then again, I'm glad he's from Doylestown, because his music career is basically over; Doylestown deserves to the added humiliation). And to think, some morons in West Chester actually think he's the biggest deal to hit town since the Iggles held training camp at West Chester University. Yipes...
  
• I'll gladly take the nightlife in West Chester over such over-rated snob-infested places such as Ardmore, Manayunk, Delaware Av, and South St any day of the week...
  
• The Sixers will not make the playoffs, but Randy Ayers will probably get one more season before Comcast fires him. It's not really his fault that almost everyone on that team has had some sort of injury over the course of the season, but still, to run the risk of having a worse record than the Cleveland Cavaliers (nee "Cadavers") is pretty embarassing. Then again, we don't have LeBron James...
  
• This will be the year that the Flyers actually make it to the Stanley Cup Finals. Assuming they don't have to face New Jersey or Ottawa in the Eastern Conference playoffs...
  
• Andy Reid must have been taking public relations courses from SEPTA's Minister of Mis-Information Richard Maloney. I mean, he still thought that the Iggles wide recievers were as good as anyone in the league? Todd Pinkston and James Thrash couldn't even make the practice squad of an XFL team, let alone an NFL team. And, finally...
  
• Well, Larry Bowa, there's no pressure on you this year. You only have to go deep into the playoffs now that you have a lot of talent and a new (taxpayer-funded) ballpark to open up.

RIVER LINE DELAYED ... AGAIN

From the "Dog Bites Man" file...

The Trenton Times reports that the start date for NJ Transit's River Line has been pushed back yet again. In December, the start date was announced as February 15, giving hope to the few remaining supporters of the line that it would finally be up and running...

Oops.

Now, it appears the latest start date will be March 14. Of course, I'll believe it when I see it.

It appeared to be a bad omen when the Burlington County Times reported last Wednesday that there were still a few glitches along the line with regards to the crossing gates.

Speaking of which, there are three separate articles regarding the latest set-back in what has become New Jersey's answer to Boston's infamous "Big Dig" project:

Light Rail Delayed Again

Wry Humor and Concern for Safety Follow Setback

Rail Safety Comes First, Officials Say

Here's one headline I'd really like to see:

"Oops, We Made A Mistake"

RIDE FROM HELL

Since this is the first time that I've had a chance to post at length since Friday, this next item doesn't appear to be that late. But, still, Friday morning's return trip home from work was nerve wracking at best...

The 6:20am 133/92 departure from Paoli (2034/6016 block) seemed to be running just fine down Lancaster until the driver sped past King Rd. The lame excuse I was told was that he thought he was working a 206. Whatever, just ignore the fact that you were picking up and discharging passengers between King of Prussia and Paoli. It would've seemed like no big deal, except for what happened after we left Exton Mall to run the 92.

There were several time where I thought we were going to be involved in an accident, including a couple of close calls along the PA 100 spur before the exit for Pottstown Pike. In fact, when we were at the traffic light on Pottstown Pike before turning onto Boot Rd, the bus was far enough out of the turn lane that we were almost struck by passing traffic heading north on Pottstown Pike.

Riding along Boot Rd and Phoenixville Pike wasn't exactly a picnic either. There were several spots when the bus was halfway onto the opposite side of the road. Making things worse was that the operator seemed to be mumbling to himself along the way.

Needless to say, I had to get off the bus several stops before I normally would. Suffice to say a couple calls later and SEPTA was fully aware of what happened. Or so I would hope that would be the case.

ANOTHER TAKE ON SCHUYLKILL VALLEY POW-WOW

The Pottstown Mercury had it's take on the recent sit-down between SEPTA, PennDOT, the Berks Area/Reading Transportation Authority (BARTA) and other legislative big shots regarding the Schuylkill Valley rail project.

"We were making such great progress and then we got kind of stopped on the tracks for a while," said Dennis D. Louwerse, executive director of (BARTA).

Well, begging for well over a billion bucks in federal money will do that to you sometimes.

"We had a (state) budget where transit got cut 6 percent and we were worried about just keeping what we had, and we were all getting kind of frustrated. ... I’m really encouraged by Gov. Rendell’s and Congressman Gerlach’s interest in this project," said Louwerse.

Well, funding for Schuylkill Valley probably wouldn't have been affected since it's a capital funding issues and the funding that Gov. Edward G. Rendell (D-Pa./Comcast SportsNet) was threating to cut was operating funding. That said, the funding crisis in Harrisburg certainly took most of the "MetroRail" apologists off their game a little bit.

Congressman James Gerlach (R-6th) added his spin to the meeting in the same article.

"I think the meeting went really well ... We have hit the reality phase with this project," (Gerlach) said.

Nah. Ya think?

The article also pointed out DVARP's support for traditional commuter rail as opposed to the "gold-plated" boondoggle that SEPTA and it's parrots (stand up, Peter Quinn) have been advocating from the outset.

Yet, despite the efforts of SEPTA, Quinn, et al, to build a rail line and operate it under a wildly unrealistic operating plan, there appears to be some opposition to any rail service at all in the corridor.

State Sen. John Rafferty, (R-44th), who represents the Montgomery County towns through which the Metro would run from Norristown on into North Coventry in Chester County and into Douglass and Amity in Berks County, said he is not yet entirely convinced the project makes sense at all.

"I have constituents who are for this project and those who are against," said Rafferty, who said he personally leans in favor of it, but is mindful of the concerns of his constituents who are opposed.

Those opposed, primarily in rural areas of Chester County, fear the development a commuter rail line might bring to their townships, Rafferty said.

Those in favor, mostly in the already developed river town areas in Montgomery and Chester, favor the rail line for the same reason their rural neighbors fear it -- the development money it could attract.

So much for that "unified support" along the entire corridor...

NJT SCHEDULE CHANGES

In between all the hoopla regarding the "River Line" and some of the bizarre happenings going on at SEPTA (which so far have been relatively few), NJ Transit schedules changed at the beginning of the month. Here are some of the highlights:

SOUTH JERSEY/PHILADELPHIA SPECIAL LINES

• 313/315 Service between Wildwood and Cape May will now operate via US 9
  317 Re-routed via Pleasant Valley in Moorestown Twp en route to/from Moorestown Mall; time adjustments between Cassville and Lakewood

SOUTH JERSEY/PHILADELPHIA INTER-STATE

• 400 Addition of two new timepoints: Cross Keys Commons Shopping Center in Turnersville (Washington Twp), and Main St/US 322 in Williamstown (Monroe Twp)
  403 Increased service to Echelon Mall in Voorhees Twp
  405/407/410 New timetable issued, no major changes reported
  409 Re-routed in Trenton to operate via State St between Broad and Warren Sts on all trips to Philadelphia

SOUTH JERSEY LOCALS

• 451 New timepoint added at Haddonfield-Berlin Rd/Brace Rd in Cherry Hill Twp
  463 New timetable issued, no major changes reported

ATLANTIC CITY/COUNTY LOCALS

• 501 Two new weekday/Saturday express trips from Atlantic City Bus Terminal to Brigantine Beach departing at 7:25am and 8:25am added, will bypass Marina District casinos; New Sunday 8:25am express between Atlantic City Bus Terminal and Brigantine Beach, will bypass Marina District casinos
  502 Sunday headways improved to every 30 minutes between Atlantic City and Hamilton Mall
  504/505/507/509 New timetables issued, no major changes reported
  508 Expanded daily service to Absecon Manor Nursing/Rehabilitation Facility via Pitney Rd

ATLANTIC CITY INTER/INTRA-STATE

• 551 Some weekend trips eliminated due to low ridership
  552 Four weekday trips now adjusted to operate via Crest Haven County Complex in Middle Twp; weekday and weekend timetables now separate

TRENTON/MERCER COUNTY

• 600 Mid-day service reduced from every 75 minutes to every 90 minutes; last five weekday departures from Plainsboro departing 15 minutes later
  601/602/608/976 New timetables issued, no major changes reported
  603 Expanded weekday early morning/late evening service to Nassau Park
  605 New daily 7:45pm departure from Montgomery Twp to Quaker Bridge Mall
  606 Minor weekday trip time adjustments
  609 Sunday headways adjusted to operate every 75 minutes

INKY SPEAKS OUT ON SCHUYLKILL VALLEY

An editorial in today's Inquirer essentially sends a message to elected officials regarding the boondoggle-in-the-making rail line between Center City Philadelphia and Reading. It's pretty self-explanitory...

ANOTHER EDITORIAL YOU MAY HAVE MISSED

In Friday's editions, The Daily News took time out from it's near daily overdose of Bush Bashing and it's mourning over the Iggles' latest choke job to call out Gov. Edward G. Rendell (D-Pa./Comcast SportsNet) and the legislature to come up with a long-term solution to SEPTA's ongoing financial crisis. Perhaps the Daily News' editorial board should focus on the fact that both transit and railroad service in the area has deteriorated over the past two years since Fearless Leader took over.

WEATHER MAKES FOR MESSY COMMUTES

In addition to the posting of detoured bus routes in both Philadelphia and the suburbs, during this morning's commute, express service on both the 22 and 55 were suspended, with all runs operating in local service. Most other bus and rail routes were running about 5-15 minutes late. The usual detours in Manyunk and Roxborough are presently in effect (the 27 and 35), but also, there are detours reported on both the 15 and 40 in West Philadelphia. It would be nice if the SEPTA web site stated where the detours were in place, but that might be asking too much.

It might also be asking too much to have work crews clear snow off the platforms at most of the Regional Rail stations. This morning, there was still a couple of inches of snow waiting to be shoveled at Downingtown. Who knows how bad it was at other stations? And what is it going to take before SEPTA does a better job with snow removal at outlying stations, an slip-and-fall accident resulting in a concussion?

TALKING HEADS

Don Pasquale and Fearless Leader addressed the media following today's rubber-stamp session of the SEPTA Board, in which SEPTA once again called on Harrisburg to support a long term solution for funding transit systems in the Commonwealth. Don Pasquale indicated that he was "optimistic that there can be a long term solution" and that SEPTA "will lurch from crisis to crisis" without dedicated funding.

Fearless Leader then noted that the Fiscal Year 2005 budget was being developed for release in early April. Figures wouldn't be in place until the first week of February at the earliest, pending the release of the state budget by Gov. Edward G. Rendell (D-Pa./Comcast SportsNet). Another wild card is the due to expire contracts of the Transport Workers Union Local 234 - which is in it's own apparent state of disarray due to internal leadership issues mentioned last month. An exchange of proposals between SEPTA management and TWU leadership - whomever they may be - is scheduled for Tuesday, February 9.

During the press confab, Don Pasquale pointed out a proposal issued by the Pennsylvania Public Transportation Association (PDF file - requires Adobe Acrobat reader).

The most telling remarks came from Fearless Leader:

"Hold us accountable, but give us the tools to do so."

Perhaps these comments uttered by American Idol's Simon Cowell on last night's telecast could put SEPTA into perspective:

"If I were to call you mediocre, that would be the biggest compliment you've ever been paid."

NEW FLYER UPDATE

In more vehicle-relevant news from today's rubber-stamp session, the SEPTA Board approved separate options for 18 New Flyer D40LF buses and 20 New Flyer DE40LF buses. The 18 diesel low floors are part of the 5700-series order, which is supposedly due to start delivery next month (though how that's going to happen remains to be seen).

Among the major changes starting with the 5700-series diesel buses, the Allison B400R transmission will be replaced with the ZF Ecomat transmission. SEPTA staff cited technical issues and increased reliability of the ZF transmission, plus a $773,058 savings (plus $114,162 in reduced warranty costs) certainly helps as well.

The ZF transmission utilizes an integral cooler that has been proven to be extremely reliable. SEPTA has used this configuration on 500 (actually 492 - ed.) buses with great success. The ZF transmission allows SEPTA flexibility in the choice of fluid used to lubricate the unit. The Allison transmission requires the use of proprietary fluid, which increases operating costs significantly. The retarder calibration of the ZF transmission helps increase foundation brake lining life. Numerous transit authorities that are using the same power train configuration as proposed for our buses have confirmed this fact. From Staff Summary

In addition, the next batch of buses will have a more reliable alternator, which has been cited as a key factor in the poor performance of the Neoplan artics.

Recent experience with Niehoff altenrators on Neoplan articulated buses have shown these units to be extremely unreliable. Furthermore, the Niehoff Organization has not offered technical expertise or assistance in resolving these issues. The Delco alternator (50-DN) has been installed on the last 300 New Flyer buses. The charging system reliability on this group of buses has been acceptable. From Staff Summary

In addition, a new feature starting with the 5700-series New Flyers will be a storage box directly over the front curbside wheelhouse to prevent passengers from storing items and obstructing the circulation of passengers on the bus. The kneeling feature will now be full curb side to allow easier alighting from the rear of the bus. The current batch of New Flyers have front kneeling. SEPTA will also get a $295,000 reduction for an earlier contractual delivery date, which was to have been June 1, but has been moved to February 1 - which is only 10 days away. While it's doubtful that 5713 (or 5733, depending on how the hybrids are numbered) will be on the property by February 1, at the very least, it means that the days for the 3000-3251 Neos are numbered.

The total price per vehicle, with all of the changes, plus factoring in the 18 additional buses, is $319,842; the original unit price per bus (without the option) was $316,865 - this is a 4 percent increase in capital costs.

As for the hybrids, the board approved an option for 20 more buses to go along with the existing 12 hybrids now assigned to Southern. Thus far, the testing of the initial 12 hybrids has been fairly successful for SEPTA.

Two pilot buses (5601H and 5602H - ed.) were recieved in October 2002 and placed into revenue service and have accumulated over 19,000 miles training, charter, demonstration, and revenue miles operating from the Southern Depot. Bus performance has been exceptional including driver acceptance.

Fuel performance comparison with regular diesel powered buses inidcates that the Hybrid Bus is twenty-five (25%) percent more fuel efficent which results in an estimated savings of 2,250 gallons of fuel per year per bus. Fuel efficency is 48% better than a similar 40-foot low floor bus powered by a Series 50 Diesel Engine. It should also be noted, however, that the Hybrid buses are being run with Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel which is currently 20-25% more expensive than #2 diesel fuel, thereby reducing some of the savings.

The Hybrid bus is a slightly quieter bus than a similar Series 50 powered bus.

Rear braking lining life is projected to be over 38,000 miles, which compares favorably to a diesel powered 40-foot New Flyer low floor bus rear linings, which averages 20,000-25,000 miles. The improvement to rear brake life is due to the supplemental regenerative dynamic braking obtained from the drive motors that are connected to the rear axles. This will allow the rear brake linings, that are normally replaced twice for every front brake lining, to now last as long as the front brake linings, which is over a year of service.

The first year operating experience for the two Pilot Buses has been satisfactory. The Hybrid labor and material costs compared to a sample average of 10 Southern Depot operated D40LF's over a recent 6 month period, show the Hybrids' cost per mile @ $0.376 vs. $0.391 per mile for the diesel buses.

The option accelerates the ability of SEPTA to ascertain the evaluation of the Hybrid bus technology, monitor bus costs, and evaluate flexibility, dependability, and reliability of bus systems. A fleet size of 32 Hybrid buses would provide the capability to deploy Hybrids on entire routes for extended periods to fully demonstrate the performance of this new technology when compared to a diesel fleet operating over the same route.

The route assignment diversity performance labor and material costs evaluations will be crucial over the next 3 to 4 years as SEPTA develops technology requirements for the next replacement bus procurement program (for the NABI fleet - ed.). Initial Vehicle Maintenance Information System (VMIS) cost and performance data indicate the Hybrids have a 3.89% lower cost per mile when compared to a diesel bus. From Staff Summary

Yes, I know that's a lot to digest, but suffice to say that this has been one program that's actually proven to be successful for SEPTA - and that's saying a hell of a lot (see the P&W and El car procurement fiascos from the past 10 years). The cost of the 20 new Hybrid buses comes out to $515,578.81 per bus. By comparison, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Capital Metro) in Austin, Texas recently purchased two hybrids from New Flyer for $576,000 (though specs would obviously be different between the two systems). The remaining 20 Hybrids are due on SEPTA property by the summer.

STILL MORE SCHUYLKILL VALLEY NEWS

At the same rubber-stamp session of the SEPTA Board, a contract change order was approved to allow Urban Engineers, SEPTA's "parrot" on the Schuylkill Valley project, extending the current contract to September 30. This change was neccestated by several factors that have been noted at this site over the past few days. The changes to the contract will have Urban Engineers:

• Develop three project phasing plans, comprised of at least two minimum operable segments each. These phasing plans and associated segments will be developed from the short list of alternatives identified in the SVM MIS/DEIS, and new alternatives may also be considered (emphasis added - ed.).
  
• Screen the phasing plans for potential "fatal flaws" with respect to laws, regulatory issues, SEPTA labor agreements, and Norfolk Southern issues. Remove any phasing plans that show "fatal flaws" in any of these areas.
  
• Develop capital costs and operating costs for these phasing plans that have no "fatal flaws." Costs will be shown by individual segment, and, where possible, cost data from the SVM MIS/DEIS and annual FTA New Start updates will be used.
  
• Conduct a second screening that considers costs and also laws, regulatory issues, SEPTA labor agreements, and Norfolk Southern issues. Based on the overall screening, develop a rank order of phasing plans.
  
• Develop forecasts of ridership and revenue for the highly ranked phasing plans, based on the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) travel demand model and the latest 2000 Census data and demographic, socio/economic, housing, and other forcasts developed by the DVRPC. From Staff Summary

It appears that the combination of pressure from DVARP and/or the FTA has played a major role in getting SEPTA to review the Schuylkill Valley project to make it more reasonable from a financial and operational standpoint. Whether or not it forces SEPTA into major changes in the project remains to be seen...

ANNUAL SERVICE PLAN COMING UP SOON

The initial public meeting to review the FY 2004 Annual Service Plan is slated be held sometime next month. While details have been scarse so far, it appears that the major changes will affect bus routes in the Chester City area. Of course, the ongoing "financial crisis" - not to mention the potential labor mess - could throw a monkey wrench into those plans. Details should be filtering out within the next two weeks.

MORE SVM B-S

Today's editions of The Phoenix offers more details on the 14 January meeting in Philadelphia regarding the Schuylkill Valley rail project. The meeting involved officials from SEPTA, PennDOT, Urban Engineers (SEPTA's parrot/consultant), and Congressman James Gerlach (R-6th).

Chester County Commissioner Andrew Dinniman (D) offered his perspective on what now appears to be a staged project which is proposed to end in Phoenixville as opposed to King of Prussia or Valley Forge.

"While half a loaf is better than no loaf and vehicle traffic in Phoenixville would be greatly assisted, we still would not have solved a regional gridlock problem along the 422 Corridor," said Dinniman.

Partly in response to (the FTA's "not recommended" rating), meeting participants considered a plan of action. "The purpose of the meeting was to get folks together and decide, 'Do we need to agree to change the path we are on?'" said (Roy Kienitz (chief of staff to Gov. Edward G. Rendell (D-Pa./Comcast SportsNet).

"Everybody involved likes the project but it has a huge $2 billion problem."

All together now...

DUH!

DVARP President Don Nigro continued to push the association's position that the project operate as conventional commuter rail utilizing shared track. Some of Schuylkill Valley's more vocal proponents, including Greater Valley Forge TMA executive director Peter Quinn - who did a wonderful job rounding up "parrots" to read virtually the same exact statement verbatim at a hearing in King of Prussia two years ago - still don't get it.

Quinn argued that running both freight and passenger service on the same track is a "disaster waiting to happen." He called for building additional tracks side by side in the rail bed alongside existing tracks.

Apparently Quinn doesn't spend a lot of time travelling beyond the Banana Republic of Upper Merion. At least not by rail...

With a handful of exceptions, every single commuter railroad and virtually all Amtrak routes outside of the Northeast and Keystone corridords have operate over freight railroad rights-of-way. SEPTA shares portions of the R3 West Trenton and R8 Fox Chase lines with CSX freight trains. There have been far too few major problems with the commuter railroads operating over freight tracks (though Amtrak is a different story). Did it ever occur to Quinn that adding yet another track to the corridor for the entire length may be part of the reason that this project is now priced out at $2 billion (and climbing), running the risk of being the "Big Dig" of commuter rail projects?

On the flip side...

Gerlach said those involved are seeking a "lean and mean" project and that $45 million of federal funding has been secured for design and engineering.

Maybe the freshman congressman can explain to Quinn and some of his most fervent followers that the gold-plated "MetroRail" alternative has little to no chance of ever being built.

On a related note, the SEPTA Board is expected to approve a contract realted to Schuylkill Valley at today's rubber stamp meeting.

SIGN OF THINGS TO COME ... AND OTHER WEB GEMS

As many people who follow SEPTA very closely know, the 121 bus between Gladwynne and Center City is one of the worst performing routes in the entire system. Yet, thanks to constant whining from people (or, more accurately, elected officials) in the People's Republic of Lower Merion, the line continues to connect Gladwynne and Center City via I-76 and US 1. Or will it...

Somebody at SEPTA must have some sort of crystal ball, because if one looks carefully enough, you may find that the 121 as we know it could disappear. This link - uncovered by one of my regular contributors - shows was could be a restructured service between Gladwynne and Center City. Oddly enough, it's listed as Route 303, which was the former designator for a shuttle bus from PNC/Eastwick to Suburban Station via I-76 from 1998-99 and a proposed designator for a service that was to have run between Doylestown and Neshaminy Mall via PA 611 and PA 132.

The proposed "303" would reportedly operate the same routing from Gladwynne to the Cynwyd Rail Station as the present 121, then operate via Montgomery Av, Conshohocken Av, Belmont Av, Wynnefield Av, Parkside Av, 40 St, Market St, 38 St, Chestnut St, 13 St, Filbert St, and 12 St, where it would presumably layover. Return service would operate via Market, Juniper St, JFK Blvd, 20 St, Market St, 38 St, Lancaster Av, 40 St, Parkside, Wynnefield, Belmont, Conshohocken, and Montgomery en route to Belmont Hills and Gladwynne.

There's also this interesting proposed schedule listed under "Route 85", which appears to be either a proposed schedule change for the present Route 35, or a very bizarre practical joke. A quick glance of the two lines indicate that weekday peak service the "85" between 5:10am and 9:30am and between 3:30pm and 7:30pm would operate every 20 minutes between Andorra and Wissahickon Loop, with timepoints at Ridge Av/Fountain St and Ridge Av/Summit Av. The present 35 schedule has 30 minute headways all day between 5:30am and 8:00pm on weekdays and Saturdays. The "85" apparently would also operate every 30 minutes during off-peak times on weekdays with the last departure from Wissahickon Loop at 11:30pm. "85" Saturday service would depart every half hour from Wissahickon Loop between 5:28am and 12:28am. Sunday "85" service would operate hourly from 5:38am to 11:38pm; present 35 Sunday service operates from Wissahickon from 7:00am to 7:00pm.

But wait, there's more! There are several inactive routes and services that are also posted on the SEPTA web site if you look carefully enough. Fortunately, I've done it for you:

"Route 50" - "Holiday Trolley" Loop in University City between 49 St/Woodland Av and 40 St El station operated in 2001
"Route 51" - "Welcome Line" Center City Trolley loop from years ago that also was the Holiday Trolley when it operated in Center City from the late 1990s until 2000
Route 63 - Grays Ferry to Pier 70 via Christian and Catharine Sts - eliminated last September
Route 76 - Center City to Philadelphia Zoo (pre-SPREE)
Route 202 - West Chester to Brandywine Town Center
Route 208 - Strafford Rail Station to Chesterbrook
Route 301 - Bethayres to Newtown (Bucks)
Route 302 - Fox Chase to Southampton

Does anyone at SEPTA know how to maintain a web site properly with out these "web gems" sneaking out into the public domain?

Looks like another arguement in favor of PDF files for timetables so SEPTA doesn't accidentally leak certain plans underneath the public radar.

SO WHERE ARE THEY?

There have been reports in the guestbook and elsewhere on the web that the new Champion cutaway buses - which are supposed to replace the aging 5-year-old Ford cutaway buses - are on SEPTA property. The sources for this information is usually very reliable.

Yet, over the past week, during recent looks outside the Wyoming Av shops and Germantown Brake Shop, not a single one of these new buses were to be found. (Note that I haven't had the time - nor the energy nor patience - to try and head up to Frontier to see if any of these buses were stored there.) Either SEPTA is doing a good job of hiding these buses, I'm not looking hard enough, or the buses were on SEPTA property and have since been returned.

Hopefully, we'll get to the bottom of this mystery. In the meantime, riders on the 92 (such as myself) will be stuck on those so-called "buses" that should never have been bought in the first place...

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Amid all the hoopla over the Iggles' latest choke job - which has once again made Philadelphia the laughing stock of SportsCenter - PennDOT is now getting involved in the planning of Schuylkill Valley rail service.

The Inquirer reported last week that Gov. Rendell - fresh off his final day as an "analyst" for Comcast SportsNet - identified the long-stalled 62-mile rail boondoggle-in-waiting as one of his highest priorities. Leading the way for the administration is PennDOT Secretary Allen Biehler, much to the delight of Fearless Leader:

Biehler is "calling the meetings," (SEPTA GM Faye L.M.) Moore said, referring to Wednesday's gathering, which was lobbied for by Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach, whose district includes ailing Chester and Berks County river towns. "We are serving as a space provider."

"Are we happy that Schuylkill Valley Metro is finally being looked at as a state and regional project? Yeah," added Moore, who this month will close a $41 million budget gap and whose agency faces a $70 million shortfall, which could mean further service cuts or a fare increase in the 2005 fiscal year.

Well of course Fearless Leader and the Rotating Resumes at 1234 Market are happy. This is what should've happened from the outset, as SEPTA staff have clearly proven themselves incapable of drafting a reasonable operating and financial plan.

The bad news - at least for those in Upper Montgomery and Berks? The first segment may only go as far as either King of Prussia or Phoenixville, with no guarantee of further extension beyond Phoenixville. And there's no guarnatee to Chester County that the first segment will even make it to Phoenixville.

The plan - referred to as "MetroRail" but in reality was nothing more than a gold-plated trolley - stalled after the Feds told SEPTA that their funding plan (80% Federal/20% State/Local match) would not work for the $2 billion (and rising) scheme. Now, SEPTA is going back to the drawing board and it is hoped that they will come up with a more rational plan.

Of course, if the project doesn't reach Phoenixville in the first phase, I wouldn't be shocked if Chester County's support suddenly disappears.

BIG MISTAKE ON FRANKFORD AVENUE

Another after-effect from the Iggles choke job at that $512 million partially taxpayer funded playpen at 11 St and Pattison Av occured on a 66 bus along Frankford Av.

The Daily News reported that a passenger - an angered Iggles fan - reportedly threw an iceball at a SEPTA driver who was, according to one passenger, allegedly wearing a Carolina Panther jersey.

Passenger Lawrence Coleman said that the two exchanged words, and when the bus driver said, "Stop hating," the Eagles fan said, "Hate this!" and tossed an iceball at her face, causing her to start bleeding.

This raises some interesting questions, to wit: What the hell is a SEPTA employee doing wearing a Panthers jersey in the first place? Never mind that something like this was bound to happen, but isn't there something in the dress code that prohibits bus operators from wearing articles of clothing that are not part of the "official" SEPTA uniform? It's one thing to wear an Iggles hat, but an "enemy" jersey?

The only bright side of this is that the operator wasn't stupid enough to wear a Dallas Cowgirls jersey. Otherwise, this might have escalated into a real ugly scene...

THANKS FOR NOTHING, LOSERS!!!

For the third consecutive year, the Philadelphia Eagles went to the NFC Championship game...

For the third consecutive year, the Philadelphia Eagles LOST the NFC Championship game...

For the second consecutive year, the Philadelphia Eagles LOST THE NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME AT HOME...

Anybody see a pattern here?

Anybody see a correlation to the fact that Andy Reid suddenly becomes a lowsy coach when the really big game comes around the corner?

Anybody see a correlation to the fact that since 1983 no Philadelphia-based major league sports franchise has been able to allow a parade down Broad Street that doesn't involve a bunch of drunken morons from South Philly and South Jersey dressing like idiots on New Year's Day?

And is there any coincidence that this ongoing ineptitude among the Eagles, Flyers, Phillies, and Sixers may be a contributing factor to why Philadelphia and it's surrounding region is mired in an ongoing cycle of mediocrity?

Look back at the last 21 years - the last time any of the four "major league" sports franchises won a championship (the 76ers) - and you can understand the frustration, anger, and all out hosility that Philadelphia sports fans have to endure year after miserable year. Hell, just look at the past 10 years, and you'll get the picture:

• Joe Carter in Game 6 going yard on Mitch Williams
  
  
• Terry Murray declaring that the Flyers were in a "choking situation" during the 1997 Stanley Cup Finals
  
  
• The John Lucas/Johnny Davis "error" before a punk from Virginia named Allen Iverson became one of this city's most beloved sports figures (not as much for his off-the-court behavior, but because even if he's shooting 8-for-24 from the field, you know he's at least giving some effort)
  
  
• The Terry Francona "error", one of the darkest moments in the past 20 years of the Phillies franchise
  
  
• Rich Kotite's 1994 embarassment, when the Eagles started off like gangbusters and suddenly - during the course of the season - forgot how to win and quickly missed the playoffs
  
  
• Ray Rhodes complete inability to sustain any kind of success after a dramatic 1995 playoff run, which ended in Dallas on the day one of the worst blizzards hit Philadelphia
  
  
• Destiny's Child performing during Game 3 of the 2001 NBA Finals while wearing Laker colors AT THE FIRST F***ING UNION CENTER no less (and rightfully getting booed out of South Philly after their performance)
  
  
• The inability of the Phillies to beat the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds in September of last season
  
  
• And last, but by no means the least, the inability of the Philadelphia F***ING Eagles to win the NFC Championship game for the THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR

Meanwhile, lesser "four-sport" cities such as Boston, Phoenix, Miami, and Arizona have been able to hold championship parades. But, nope, not Philadelphia. That would be asking to much from Jeffrey Lurie (at least when he's not extorting the taxpayers to the tune of $300+ million).

And let's not just focus on the fact that our sports teams constantly choke when an entire city and region is counting on them...

Let's remember that the mayor of the city of Philadelphia - "Emperor John F-U Street" - was re-elected despite the fact that his administration is currently being investigated by the federal government over allegations of corruption - and the fact that the people of Philadelphia were stupid enough to re-elect him.

Let's also remember that while the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was without a budget for Fiscal Year 2004 until December, the dis-honorable Governor of this state, Edward G. Rendell, was more concerned about expressing his opinions about the Eagles latest choke job on Comcast SportsNet than he was about getting anything accomplished in Harrisburg.

What does this have to do with SEPTA, you ask?

Well...

• SEPTA operates a commuter rail system that is not only one of the most unreliable systems in the nation, it is also the laughing stock of the entire industry
  
• SEPTA management seems to think that it's okay not to install restrooms on Regional Rail cars for it's longer distance lines (such as the Paoli, West Trenton, Doylestown, and Trenton lines) - despite the fact that it's common practice on EVERY OTHER COMMUTER RAILROAD SYSTEM IN THE UNITED STATES
  
• SEPTA management seems to think that it's a brilliant idea to dead-head buses from South Philadelphia to Overbrook, Mill Creek, Parkside, Tioga, and Strawberry Mansion instead of trying to assign bus routes to depots closer to origin and terminal points
  
• SEPTA management seems to think that it's a great idea to reduce the presence of "cleaners" at Bridge-Pratt and 69 St Terminals so that people can become unconsious and not be noticed for nearly 6 hours (as was reportedly the case last month)
  
• SEPTA management seems to think that the best way to restore rail service from Philadelphia to Phoenixville, Pottstown, and Reading is to operate glorified trolleys on separated tracks instead of conventional commuter rail trains along the Norfolk Southern right-of-way
  
• SEPTA management seems to think that Route 104 express bus service to West Chester can operate at the same running times as - or even faster than - locals to Newtown Square
  
• SEPTA management seems to think that the opinions of the public are irrelevant, and that they are going to damn sure do whatever the hell they want, despite the consequences
  
  And last but by no means least...
  
  
• SEPTA seems to think that the only solution to it's ongoing budget crisis is to act like a low-life panhandler at Suburban Station (and there were quite a few out in full force today, no thanks to the lack of police presence) and beg Harrisburg for more money.

And you wonder why I am slowly starting to get sick and tired of this city?

And you wonder why I am getting sick of the nation's 5th largest transit system not having their s**t together? Would it be too much for the SEPTA Board of Directors to stop acting like a rubber stamp to Fearless Leader and the Rotating Resumes at 1234 Market and issue an ultimatum?

If I were in Pasquale T. Deon, Sr.'s shoes (not that I would want to be, since he is probably the biggest a**hole of any elected or appointed offical in this area), I would issue this simple ultimatum to Faye L.M. Moore and the rest of her underlings at 1234 Market:

SHAPE UP OR SHIP OUT!

It has become glaringly obvious not only to myself but to others who keep close tabs on SEPTA that it was a big mistake to hire an accountant with no transit management experience to run this system. Perhaps the political hacks who mis-manage this system will wake up to the reality that hiring Moore to run this system was a huge mistake.

Of course, by the time that happens, the Eagles might actually win a Super Bowl. Yeah, right, like that'll ever happen...

Tomorrow, we'll get back to the business of posting transit-related news ... assuming that I'm in a good enough mood to do so...

LOTS OF RIVER LINE NEWS

A few items relating to the opening of the South Jersey LRT system known as the River Line (all from the Burlington County Times):

• Burlington County Freeholders are sponsoring a program that would feature "animal" sculptures to be located at the 9 stations within the county. Freeholders anticipate that the sculptures would be funded by outside sources (corporate sponsorships) to build these works of art and ultimately be auctioned off to raise funds for the Burlington County arts community. Excuse me if I think this is just a wee bit silly...
  
  
• The Burlington County sponsored Bur-Link shuttle service saw three new routes introduced last week. The three new routes are:
  
  
  • B6: Burlington Towne Center station to shopping centers along CR 541 in Burlington Township
    
  • B7: Burlington Center Mall to Willingboro Town Center via CR 541, with a connection to Edgewater Park/Beverly station via the B4 shuttle bus
    
  • B8: Riverside station to shopping centers in Delran via US 130


The BurLink system will expand further later in the year with three proposed new services:


• B5: Florence Park/Ride to Haines Industrial Park, scheduled to start when the River Line begins service next month
  
• Proposed service between Palmyra station to Eastgate and Moorestown Mall, to be started later this year
  
• Proposed service between Cinnaminson station to US 130 and Taylor Lane Industrial Park, also to start later this year


The new services are in addition to existing services between Pemberton and Mount Holly (B1), Willingboro and Mount Holly (B2), and the BC Xpress serving Burlington County College (B3).


• NJ Transit is planning a promotional blitz to introduce passengers to the new River Line when is starts service on February 15.

NEWARK STATION UPDATE

The Wilmington News Journal reports that the City of Newark and WILMAPCO are in the discussion stages with plans to move the Newark Rail Station from its current location near the Chrysler plant to a more convenient downtown location. The site would also serve as a potential turn point for future rail service between Wilmington and Dover. WILMAPCO also took comments on a plan by DART First State to move its operations center to a newer location within Wilmington.

PARENT OF THE YEAR?

A Upper Darby Township woman had her day in court yesterday to face charges that she allegedly abandoned her two children at 69 St Terminal last month. According to the Delaware County Daily Times, Kelly Severino, 42, had been held at Delaware County Prison after failing to post $5,000 bail since her arrest on a felony count of reckless endangerment.

On December 7, Severino allegedly abandoned her two children, a 13 year old girl and 11 year old boy, at 69 St Terminal while she allegedly took a bus, claiming to her children that she "would be right back."

(Upper Darby Twp Police) Officer Thomas Hald wrote in the affidavit: "The weather outside was below freezing with some wind and the ground was snow covered."

This was a couple days after the first significant snowfall of the winter took place.

Severino agreed to a deal in which she would enter a drug/alcohol rehab program in exchange for a reduced sentence. If completed, Severino would have her charges reduced from a felony to a summary offense of disorderly conduct.

"You are being given a break today," (District Court Justice Harry) Karapalides said. "Do what you’re supposed to do."

A break? Considering that she stranded her two children at 69 St Terminal during a time which isn't exactly safe for adults, much less pre-teenage children, saying that it's a "break" is an understatement.

Well, that's Upper Darby for you...

DON'T SCREW THIS UP...

The headline offers four simple words for Andy Reid, Donovan McNabb, and the rest of the Iggles for Sunday's game against Green Bay (Wis.). Kinda says it all, don't ya think...

That's also some pretty good advice for SEPTA, as they plan to operate extra Broad Street and El service on Sunday, with express trains leaving Fern Rock every 10 minutes en route to Pattison, in addition to "frequent" local service.

Apparently, SEPTA was able to take some time out of it's busy schedule of begging Harrisburg for more money and screwing up the Regional Rail system to get Iggles President Joe Banner to encourage fans to take SEPTA:

"This feedback we're getting from fans is that the energy, the excitement building up to the game on Sunday is tremendous ... Now we want to make sure that we can harness that enthusiasm by having everybody who is coming to the game in their seats prior to kickoff. We're advising fans to leave plenty of time to get here and to take public transportation. If fans insist on driving they should carpool. But the real message is that we strongly advise fans to use SEPTA. Everything we have heard this year with regard to fans who have taken the expanded SEPTA service on the Broad Street Line to Eagles games has been that the experience was a very positive one."

Well, maybe service has improved, but if my personal experiences from last season are any indication, expect headaches, crowded lines at the turnstiles after the game (assuming they don't fail as they did for a Phillies game in April), and bizarro dispatching of trains after the game in which locals were often sent out 1-2 minutes before expresses.

Oh, and here's more proof that the folks at SEPTA's Ministry of Mis-Information have too much time on their hands. In the press release, SEPTA noted that the Iggles are 15-5 over the past four seasons when more than 7,000 fans take the Broad Street Subway.

Gee, I wonder if that'll make SportsCenter...

MAIN LINE WHINE

One thing that hasn't changed in the People's Republic of Lower Merion - or at least in the weekly papers that serve it - is the complaining about how they've been treated with no respect by SEPTA (which is a laughably ridiculous through, but that's another story).

An editorial in the current edition of Main Line Times offers a little word of advice for Pennsylvania's senior senator:

We'd love it if some heavy-hitting national poltical figure, say U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, would make SEPTA and Amtrak resolve their years-long bureaucratic dispute regarding repairs to the Wynnewood R-5 bridge before the walkway collapses and somebody gets hurt. Our incumbent politicians, Specter not the least of them, like to advertise their clout when it's re-election time. Meanwhile, we can't get a crummy railway bridge repaired. Maybe if we named the bridge after Sen. Robert Byrd ... but somehow the Robert "Sheets" Byrd Bridge in Wynnewood doesn't seem to fit our community.

Considering that SEPTA has often blamed Amtrak for the on-going poor reliability on the Paoli Line, you'd have an easier chance of seeing Brittney Spears walk down the aisle before any progress is made on the Wynnewood Bridge. (Oh, wait, you mean she already did get married? Never mind...)

And maybe as soon as Specter is done kissing up to prospective voters in Wynnewood, maybe he can do something about improving service on the outer end of the line...

MORE ON-TIME ISSUES

This time, the problems are not SEPTA's fault. At least not directly...

The Newark (N.J.) Star-Ledger reports that NJ Transit's recent schedule change is having a ripple effect on SEPTA's already dreadful on-time performance. On the Northeast Corridor line between Trenton and Penn Station/New York, connection times at Trenton have been decreased, thanks in large part to the introduction of weekday service to Secaucus Junction. SEPTA has agreed to hold R7 trains for up to 5 minutes to accomodate delayed NJ Transit trains arriving from New York. Unfortunately, that's bound to cause a ripple effect along not only the Trenton side of the R7 but also the Chestnut Hill East side as well.

And there's one group of commuters in Philadelphia who SEPTA can ill afford to infuriate ... those who use either Chestnut Hill branch on the railroad.

To it's credit, though, SEPTA has reportedly posted the updated times at the website (I'll have to verify this). It'll be interesting to see how much of an impact this will have on SEPTA.

ACCIDENT IN SOUTH PHILLY

A 76-year-old man was struck by a SEPTA bus on Broad St near Oregon early this morning. Details are minimal, but the 68 bus had just arrived from Eastwick shortly after 6:00am when the accident occured.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! NOW ENJOY IT WHILE YOU CAN...

The Inquirer reports some good news and bad news on the budget front...

First, the good news: SEPTA's budget for the current fiscal year can now be considered "balanced" thanks to the restoration of state aid cuts, totalling $15 million, plus a plan by SEPTA to approve the sale of $11 million in leases.

Now, the bad news: Citing inflation and possible labor cost increases resulting from negotiations with SEPTA's main union, SEPTA is staring at a nearly $70 million defecit next year.

SEPTA is planning to seek monthly co-payments from union employees for their health-care package, an idea that was immediately panned by interim TWU 234 President Dave Szczepanski:

"We have been giving concessions to SEPTA since 1998 ... Once again, SEPTA wants the people who sweat for them to pay for their shortfall."

SEPTA is still seeking a long-term funding solution from Harrisburg in order to avoid annual defecits. In recent years, SEPTA has been forced to divert $37 million in capital funding to the operating budget, resulting in delays in replacing the AM General trackless trolley fleet and rehabs of the Spring Garden and Girard subway stations.

Given how long it took those geniuses in Harrisburg to adopt this year's budget, I have a feeling that the next 12 months are going to get pretty ugly in Philadelphia and in Pittsburgh, where the Port Authority of Allegheny County is projecting a $30 million budget gap, resulting in a reduced number of overhauled LRVs and delays in replacing aging buses.

HOW IRONIC

After chronicling the numerous problems with the 104 all year - and seemingly for the past couple of years - it's odd that the last bus I took this year was the 104 (5302/4241 block), and it arrived at 69 St Terminal 10 minutes early...

For the record, the first bus I rode in 2004 was 7203 (65/5214 block) from 69 St to Overbrook. And yes, the sign was not properly working - it was frozen on "R3 SWARTHMORE" when it pulled into 69 St. And, the CARD console wasn't properly working.

Happy new year, SEPTA...