ARCHIVES - 07/25/02

New CARD system radio consoles are now appearing on buses operating out of Southern. As for the older buses in the fleet (40-ft Neos and NABIs), there are no plans to replace the 3-digit block signs with a four digit display or to add a static number in front of the block sign. Once the CARD system is installed on all SEPTA buses, only the New Flyers, Neo artics, and ElDorados will have block displays showing all four digits.

ARCHIVES - 07/15/02

A Pottstown Urban Transit bus was involved in a serious accident in North Coventry Twp on Wednesday night. Nova RTS #57 was operating the North Coventry line when it struck a minivan on Laurelwood Rd at Fisher Av near the Coventry Mall. The minivan had turned off of Fisher onto Laurelwood and right into the path of the PUT bus. The PUT bus then veered to the left, causing damage to three front lawns before coming to a stop on Laurelwood. The driver of the minivan was taken to a local hospital with head and neck injuries; the PUT driver and at least 3 passengers were taken to Pottstown Memorial Medical Center for minor injuries.

The new CARD system radio consoles are starting to be added to Allegheny's buses in addition to the many buses at Midvale which have been retrofit. There is a report that some buses at Callowhill are also getting the new radio system as well, but I have yet to see a Callowhill Neo or NABI with the new console.

ARCHIVES - 07/10/02

SEPTA has issued a request for proposal for the purchase of up to 360 diesel powered low floor buses for delivery between 2004 and 2006. This order would effectively retire the Neoplan fleet by the end of 2006. SEPTA will accept bids until September 10, then likely award the bid at either the October Board meeting.


The two test DE40LF coaches that SEPTA is slated to receive in a few months are tentatively numbered 5601H and 5602H. I doubt that they will retain those numbers once the rest of the 100 D40LF coaches arrive next year.


More buses at Midvale - particularly the NABIs - are being retrofit with the newer sign control panels. According to one Midvale operator, the control panels being installed on the NABIs is more advanced than the ones on the Neoplan artic, ElDorado, and New Flyer fleets. The new panels are being installed as part of the communications system upgrade to the new Computer Aided Radio Dispatch (CARD) system that SEPTA has needed since the end of the first Bush administration.



The new system is part of the reason that SEPTA is going to a four-digit block system which began in February at most depots and in April at Frontier. The block number system, once it's in full effect, will display a four-digit block on all artics, ElDorados, and New Flyers; most of the artics and ElDorados at Midvale are starting to display a four digit block. The first digit represents the depot the bus is assigned to: 1xxx = Comly; 2xxx = Frankford; 3xxx = Midvale; 4xxx = Red Arrow; 5xxx = Allegheny; 6xxx = Frontier; 7xxx = Southern; 8xxx = Elmwood; 9xxx = Callowhill.



DART First State has successfully added a similar system on all of their buses within the past year, including the soon to be retired Flxibles. Ironically enough, some of the older DART radios have been installed on some of the Fords operating out of Frontier.


Speaking of DART, it appears that the new NABI standard floor and high floor buses have started to arrive in Wilmington. The high floors will be numbered 501-519 and are model 416.13; the low floors will be numbered 520-563. This means that the days of Flxibles ruling the road in New Castle County are numbered. DART has issued a press release about the new buses, but oddly enough, unlike a couple of years ago when they posted a picture of a Gillig low floor, there are no pictures of the new NABIs.

ARCHIVES - 07/09/02

Allegheny 7120, operating on the 65 (5207 block) was rearended by a Ford Probe on 66 St near Lansdowne Av at around 1:15pm this afternoon. The remainder of the run was obviously cancelled. The following 65 bus, 5273 (9606 block) was filled to capacity, and also carried a wheelchair rider, making for a very crowded trip. 7120 returned to Allegheny on its own power.

A disabled westbound El train near 40 St station caused delays during the PM peak hour tonight. Some trains were delayed up to 15 minutes due to the incident, which occured at around 5:00pm.

The Neoplan demonstrator is now tentatively due to arrive on SEPTA property on Thursday, and will be put into service as early as Monday.

ARCHIVES - 07/05/02

During yesterday's Welcome America festivities and price gouging festival ($2.00 for a 16 ounce soda?) along the Ben Franklin Parkway, 33 SEPTA buses, a mix of NABIs, New Flyers, Neo artics, and Neo 3264 were staged along 21 and 22 Sts on either side of the Parkway. The buses initially were staged along Spring Garden between the El Station and 5 St. Buses involved were Allegheny 7103, 7105, 7110, 7112 and 7147; Callowhill 5005, 5427, 5429, 5446, 5449, 5450, 5463 and 5465; Frankford 5249, 5344, 5355, 5360 and 5361; Midvale 3264, 5156, 5157, 5164, 5172, 5183, 5212, 5222, 5229 and 5239; and Southern 5471, 5474, 5480, 5486 and 5491.

As the buses were staging at Spring Garden, several passengers waited at the Spring Garden El station for the 4:43pm 25 to Frankford to show up - it never did. Supervisors on site were far too busy preparing the buses which would later transport tourists out of the Parkway area after the fireworks to follow up on a missing 25 bus, which I'm sure is going to play very nicely along Aramingo Av. The 5:13pm 25 to Frankford did show up, however I'm sure that driver got an earful from passengers forced to wait in the opressive heat (though there was plenty of shade with the large El/I-95 overpass) at Spring Garden.

Incidentially, Broad St Subway, El and Subway-surface service ran on a regular Sunday schedule. If last year's fiascos at the 19 St, 22 St, and 30 St stations are any inidciation, then I would imagine that streetcars and El trains were ridiculously overcrowded. SEPTA needs to understand that extending service hours and adding extra service are two different things. There's no reason why El service couldn't operate every 5 minutes, nor any reason why 4 or 5 subway-surface cars couldn't operate between City Hall and 40 St Portal or 49 & Woodland.

Midvale 5193 - operating on the 47 (3306 block) was apparently retrofit with the newer sign control panels used on SEPTA's new buses starting with the Neoplan artics. The sign control panel on 5193 is in approximately the same position as they would be on the newer buses - over the operator's head and to the left. I would guess that the rest of the NABI fleet will follow suit.

The City of Philadelphia is testing a new Thomas/Dart SLF200 low floor bus on the Phlash Center City loop. The bus is CNG powered and has red and blue stripes instead of the purple livery on most Phlash vehicles. The destination sign is supposedly a TwinVision LED, however the word "Phlash" is labeled in the sign areas rather than using the signs themselves.

ARCHIVES - 07/03/02

Service on routes out of Allegheny Depot were substantially delayed due to an "illegal demonstration" by Roofers Union Local 30. NBC 10 reported that buses were being brought in from other depots to fill try and cover service. Routes 6, 9, 27, 33, 48, and 60 operated with substantial delays with substantial delays once service resumed; the 65 also operated with some delays, but the delays weren't as bad, thanks to the split operation with Callowhill.

The dispute is over the use on non-union contractors working at Allegheny. No arrests were made during the protest, which began at 5:00am and was curtailed at around 11:30am, following an injunction by a Philadelphia Common Pleas Court judge. Service on the Allegheny routes slowly returned to normal by around 3:00pm.

The blockade by the Roofers Union may also raise controversy regarding pay status of Allegheny employees. There are high ranking people within SEPTA who are convinced that since Allegheny employees did not cross the picket lines, that may result in the forfeiture of pay. On the other hand, even if the operators crossed the picket line, the blockade would've made it impossible for buses to leave the depot anyway. It's one of those Catch-22 situations. Yet, it couldn't have happened at a worse time, considering it's a holiday week and the heat was very oppressive.

Yet, this isn't the first time there's been controversy over roof repairs at Allegheny. According to one Allegheny operator, SEPTA used a non-union contractor to repair the roof at Allegheny about 5-6 years ago, causing a similar protest by Local 30. How interesting that the roof has been such a problem at Allegheny for so long, considering the depot was re-built in the mid to late 1980s.

Service on several routes in the suburbs - particularly in Delaware County - will be subject to detours and delays tomorrow. This is a listing of trouble spots in Delaware County that SEPTA never bothered to mention:

• Routes 55 and 77 may be detoued in and around Jenkintown due to a parade
• Route 97 will be detoured off of Fayette St in Conshohocken due to the annual Soap Box Derby
• Route 101 may be subject to delays due to Springfield's parade, particluarly near the Leamy Av and Springfield Rd stations
• Route 102 may be subject to delays in Clifton Heights and Aldan due to a parade
• Route 104 service will be delayed about 20-30 minutes due to the Marple-Newtown parade between PA 252 and Malin Rd (Broomall Fire Company)
• Route 109 will be detoured in Clifton Heights along Baltimore Pike between Marple Av and Church Lane due to a parade
• Route 112 may be delayed along Darby Road due to the Llanerch 4th of July parade
• Route 113 service will be detoured off of MacDade Blvd in Collingdale between Clifton and Staley Avenues due to a parade; service will most likely operate via Chester Pike; the 113 may also be delayed in Glenolden near Ashland Av due to that borough's parade
• Buses operating through the west side of the City of Chester, including the Chester Transportation Center (37, 109, 113, 114, and 117) may be subject to delays near the Chester YMCA at 7 & Sproul due to the annual Chester Walk/Run
• Route L service along Germantown Pike between the Barren Hill Fire Company (Church Rd) and Miles Park (Joshua Rd) in Whitemarsh Twp, Montgomery County, will be affected due to a parade, service would probably be detoured via Ridge Pike

The MCI Demo will still be on SEPTA property rhough Saturday. It will not be used on Thursday, but will be in service on Friday and Saturday on 123, 124, and 125 trips.

Yesterday, 3234 was spotted on S High St in West Chester, training operators for the new 104 extension to West Chester Univesity.

The Neoplan cruiser being leased from Pittsburgh is now tenatively slated to arrive on Thursday, July 11.

The Bucks County TMA is also participating in the Code Red Ozone Alert days, which will allow riders of the Doylestown DART and the Pennridge, Quakertown, and Warminster RUSH services to ride free when the Ozone Alert reaches "Code Red" stages.

DART First State will once again offer free rides until 12 noon on an Ozone Alert "Code Red" weekday.

Although it appears that the 5600s may be needed sooner rather than later, the official scheduled delivery date for the last of the original 300 low floor buses will not arrive until April.

On a side note, all 8600/8700/8800 Neoplans are now officially off the roster and will no longer see revenue service. These buses were removed from service at the end of June.This is contributing to what will hopefully be a temporary bus shortage at Callowhill, where some ElDorados onto the 52 during peak hours, as was the case on Monday with 4580. It's also not helping that some Callowhill buses are being used on the 36 shuttle between Woodland Shops and Penrose Plaza.

ARCHIVES - 07/01/02

El service was disrupted at around 4:55pm after a female passenger collapsed on board a westbound "A" train at 30 St station. Westbound service was held for about 15 minutes to allow Philadelphia Fire EMTs and SEPTA Police to arrive at the scene. And, in an act of sheer stupidity, one ignorant passenger had the audacity to complain about it. It's almost a miracle that idiot wasn't beaten to a bloody pulp by other passengers.

As a result of the El delays, the 5:33pm 104 to West Chester departed with a standing load, with a couple of unfortunate passengers forced to sit in the rear stairwell. And, yes, it ran local, arriving in West Chester about 5 minutes late.

Expect major delays on Thursday, July 4 on the 104 in Broomall and Newtown Square due to the annual Marple-Newtown 4th of July parade. The parade will occur in the westbound lanes, forcing eastbound and westbound traffic into the eastbound lanes. Delays of up to 20-30 minutes can be expected, mainly affecting trips to and from West Chester. (Of course, this is not noted at the SEPTA web site along with the long list of other systemwide detours and delays.

The Pennridge RUSH and Quakertown RUSH services began operation today. Both RUSH services will operate to the Lansdale Rail Station on the R5 Lansdale/Doylestown line during peak hours. SEPTA TransPasses and TrailPasses will be honored on these routes, as they are on the existing Warminster RUSH, with single fares costing $1.00 or 15 TMA tokens (not SEPTA tokens) for $10.00.

The TMA of Chester County will offer free rides on the SCCOOT service between West Chester, Chadds Ford and Oxford and on the PHLYER service between Exton Mall and Phoenixville during Code Red Ozone Alert days.

Due to a printing error, the Sunday 6:30am trip on Route 14 does not serve Langhorne, but terminates on Roosevelt Blvd the Bucks/Philadelphia County border.

The KYW 1060 Big Blue Bus (Southern 5383) will be in service tomorrow on Route 28. The schedule for the next four Tuesdays for 5385 are as follows: July 9: Routes 14/20; July 16: Route 58; July 23: Route 24; July 30: Route C.

ARCHIVES - 06/27/02

Now that Comly has all of their 5500s, Red Arrow is starting to get their next batch of 10 New Flyers. 5586 was spotted this afternoon on the 104 (4237 block).

Meanwhile, more Neo-junk from the city is starting to show up on Red Arrow and Frontier routes. 3046 was also spotted on West Chester Pike, while 3110 was in Center City running on the 124/125 (6189 block). Some ex-Comly units are also showing up at Midvale, particularly on the 56.

The MCI demo (6001) will be taken out of service at the end of this week. Starting on July 9, SEPTA will test a Neoplan AN-345/3 cruiser on loan from the Port Authority of Allegheny County. There is no guarantee that SEPTA will go with cruisers in the near future, but there is some hope.

Within the next few weeks, SEPTA is preparing to issue an RFP for an order of 300 buses, with an option for an additional 60, over the next three years. The buses will be 40 foot low floors and are slated for delivery starting in 2004. Between 2004 and 2006, SEPTA will recieve 100 buses, with an option for up to 20 per year, which, coupled with the arrival of the 5600 New Flyers starting next April, would have the entire Neoplan 40-ft fleet off the roster by the end of 2006.

The first of the New Flyer DE40LF hybrid buses are on the production line and will be rotated around the system starting in September. Upon completion, New Flyer will be testing the DE40LFs before delivering them to SEPTA.

The SEPTA Board approved the Annual Service Plan, which will alter several Red Arrow routes and City Routes 9, 35, and the 61 Express. With the new schedules this fall, an 10:45pm trip will be added on the 123 from King of Prussia to 69 St Terminal. Route 104 service to West Chester will be reduced to every hour before 2:00pm and after 5:00pm Saturdays and all day Sundays. Route 122 - which would replace most of current Route 111 - would serve Secane, Morton, and Springfield Mall during peak hours.

ARCHIVES - 06/26/02

With the arrival of the 5500s at Comly, some Neo DKs are being exiled into the suburban garages. 3115 was seen on the 104 last night, while 3101 and 3102 were also spotted along West Chester Pike at various times during the day. Some ex-Comly units are also filtering onto Frontier routes. It's bad enough when SEPTA tries to deny a bus shortage in the suburbs, but when they alleviate the shortage by sending older junk from the city garages, that really doesn't help.

SEPTA will offer modified Saturday Regional Rail service on Friday, July 5 as part of the Welcome America invasion of tourists. There really isn't any extra service being offered on July 4th for the fireworks on The Parkway, however the Broad St and Market-Frankford lines will operate in the tunnels later than normal, which, given last year's dangerous overcrowding at several stations in Center City, could be around 2:00am. More comments on this issue later.

ARCHIVES - 06/23/02

Rumors of Amtrak's possible demise are concerning Regional Rail riders on the former Penn Central side of the RRD system. Service on the R1 Airport, R2 Marcus Hook/Wilmington, R5 Paoli/Thorndale, R6 Cynwyd, R7 Trenton, and R8 Chestnut Hill West would be affected by an Amtrak shutdown, as those lines operate over Amtrak owned right of way. R3 Media/Elwyn service would not be affected as that line merges with the Airport and Marcus Hook lines on SEPTA ROW, rather than Amtrak, into University City, which is also on SEPTA ROW. SEPTA has not released it's contingency plan (assuming of course they have one) in case of a Penn Central side shutdown of the Regional Rail system.

ARCHIVES - 06/21/02

Two Comly New Flyers were involved in an accident on Roosevelt Blvd during the AM peak this morning. At around 7:00am, 5541, operating on the 1 to Red Lion & Academy, rear-ended 5564 - running on the 14 - on the northbound side of Roosevelt Blvd at Harbison. Based on some pictures and video, the front end of 5541 was damaged. I'd imagine that there's some damage to the rear of 5564, but I didn't see any footage of that bus.

NJ Transit bus schedules are changing starting tomorrow. There are a few minor changes on South Jersey routes, which will be posted shortly.

ARCHIVES - 06/20/02

Regional Rail service within Center City was disrupted today due to a bomb scare on 22 St. Shuttle buses were also placed into service yesterday within Center City, but no reasons were given as to what happened.

SEPTA made a few minor modifications to the Annual Service Plan, particularly on Routes 35, 103, 104, and 111. Route 35 will now have a bi-directional routing within Manayunk instead of it's current loop starting in September, which will operate via Main St, Leverington, Umbria, Fountain, Silverwood, Leverington, Manayunk Av, and Roxborough Av to Ridge Av. Route 103 will operate via Cricket Av, Athens Av, and Rittenhouse Pl to Lancaster Av in Lower Merion; Ardmore Av service has been eliminated. Route 104 service to West Chester may see some reduced service, but 30 minute mid-day and Saturday headways have been retained. Route 111 will be routed to serve office parks in Concordville, operating via Conchester Rd, Lacure Av, Concord Industrial Park, Aldan Av, Brinton Place Office Center, Evergreen Dr, the Shops at Brinton Lake, and Brinton Lake Rd. The final proposal will be voted upon by the SEPTA Board at next week's meeting.

ARCHIVES - 06/18/02

P&W service was disrupted during the PM peak period due to the derailment of a work car near Matsonford station. As a result, P&W service was single tracking between Radnor and Hughes Park, completely disrupting the PM peak schedule. All express service was suspended with Norristown service making all stops. At around 5:00pm, service was alternating between Bryn Mawr and Norristown locals, however once the crowds started to dissipate, all service went Norristown local. The starter at the P&W platform kept making announcements about service delays during the entire incident.

The same could not be said for 104 service during that same period. The 5:33pm West Chester express didn't even show up, while the 5:47pm Newtown Square local departed 7 minutes late (using 3061) and the 5:52pm departed 3 minutes late (using 3154). West Chester commuters were further enraged when the 6:02pm departed 69 St at 6:10pm 8 minutes late, and with a nearly full load west of Newtown Square. Only one announcement was made rearding the 5:33pm trip, claiming only that it was delayed with no further explaination. If this is not further evidence that Chester County commuters are getting the short end of the stick from SEPTA, then tell me what is.

Then there's the case of 4412 block; the 5:45pm 109 to Chester was seen using 4549 - an ElDorado. Suffice to say that trip left with a dangerously full load. From what I hear, 4549 was the only bus available in the entire lot when the operator checked in. But, of course, there is no vehicle shortage, right?

The MCI demo that is on SEPTA property is apparently a newer demo, complete with LED sign and otherwise looks to be built to NJT specs, complete with LED tail lights, and is numbered 6001. Demo 6000, you may recall, was built to NYC Transit specs.

Once all 85 New Flyers arrive at Comly, some 3000s may be sent off to Midvale, so that the remaining 8600/8700 series Neos can be retired. Here's hoping that SEPTA will preserve at least one of the 8600s as a museum bus.

The big controversy over the weekend was SEPTA's unveiling of the new Silverliner V cars. The good news is that 2+2 seating will be offered; the bad news is that only 30% of the new cars will have 2+2 seating - located in the middle of the car - with the dreaded 3+2 seating at both ends of the car. Why is it that other railroads (Virginia Railway Express and most commuter rail systems in California come to mind) actually do something that is completely foreign to SEPTA's management, namely take customer input and add more amenities? Wait, I forgot, this is SEPTA. SEPTA's idea of amenities would be just getting the buses and trains running on time. Or even better - having enough buses to cover runs at Red Arrow. Wow, what a concept!

ARCHIVES - 06/13/02

More equipment problems on the 92 caused 6019 block to be annulled. Some passengers trying to get to West Chester were stranded for upwards of 3 hours as a result of the annulled block.

The complete listing of schedule changes are now listed on a separate page, since there were so many changes that took place, they couldn't all fit on this page.

The MCI demo is back at the Red Arrow shops. It's unclear when the bus will be back on the road, but expect to see it on the 104 (peak hour trips to West Chester), 123, 124, and 125.

ARCHIVES - 06/12/02

Bus service along West Chester Pike west of Robinson was severely delayed by about 20-30 minutes due to police activity in Havertown. For at least the second time this week, the 5:33pm express to West Chester ran local with a standing load, leaving 69 St about 15 minutes late.

ARCHIVES - 06/10/02

Regular riders on the 5:33pm 104 West Chester Express to Eagle Rd got a rude surprise when it was announced that the trip is now a local making all stops - and adding about 3-4 minutes to the run time. The lame excuse offered by Terminal Manager J. O'Rourke (who obviously took lessons in dealing with the public from Richard Maloney) was that riders travelling to Eagle Rd were inconvenienced by a lack of service.

Considering that there's a 123 that leaves for King of Prussia at 5:25pm and a 112 that leaves at 5:40pm, that's a pretty ridiculous explanation.

There was no new timetable issued for the 104 this time around for whatever reason. How O'Rourke still has such a key assignment within SEPTA is beyond me. The sad part is that some passengers tell me he's actually an improvement from his predecessors (which I find hard to believe).

The good news is that there's no longer a bus shortage at Red Arrow. The bad news is that there is still an operator shortage. Service both last Monday and today was worse than usual as some trips were forced to be cancelled.

Speaking of the aforementioned Mr. Maloney, DVARP's newsletter reports that NBC10's Sheila Allen-Stephens was thwarted by Maloney in her efforts to get interior footage of seats in SEPTA's Regional Rail cars as part of a May 29 story in the ongoing "Seat-Gate" controversy involving the new Silverliner V order.Here's hoping that NBC 10 does a hit piece on the fact that some T-Cars are on the road with expired inspection stickers - as is the case with SUR4243, which was spotted yesterday at 69 St Terminal and today at Arrott Terminal with stickers that expired in March. Shades of SUR6393 from this past April in Frankford (see the April 2002 archives page).

Someone at Comly may want to be reminded that the 73 is a wheelchair accessible route. During the afternoon, 8763, 8775, and 3098 were all seen running the 73 at one point or another. On a related note, the 24 saw 3108 running 2286 block even though the 24 is also an accessible line.

The 6:20pm 92/133 run from West Chester to King of Prussia (6020 block) saw 3203 - a non-accessible bus covering that run, which usually sees an ElDorado.

ARCHIVES - 06/07/02

In case anyone has forgotten, the SEPTA Roadeo will take place tomorrow at the Veteran's Stadium parking lot (11 St/Pattison Av side; enter from Pattison) starting at 8:00am. Hopefully, the weather will hold out this year, unlike last year when some heavy rain arrived right at the tail end of the event.SEPTA, NJ Transit, DART First State, Greyhound, Martz, and the School District of Philadelphia are among the usual groups of operators who will have displays at the event. As usual, there will also be a celebrity bus roadeo held, however there will be a new champion this year. WPVI meteorologist Sally Ann Mosley is not expected to compete this year. Oddly enough, SEPTA hasn't posted anything about the Roadeo on its web site, so more specific details about this year's event are few and far between. (IMPORTANT NOTE: SEPTA Roadeo 2002 update will occur tomorrow; in brief, John Rinylo of Southern Depot is the SEPTA Roadeo champion (this is a recording...); former Phillies reliever (and occasional guest PA announcer at the Vet) Tug McGraw won the Celebrity Roadeo. More details and pictures will be posted within the next week or so...)

Tomorrow will be a sad day for trackless fans in Northeast Philadelphia, as it will mark the final day of ETB service on the 59, 66, and 75 for at least the next 18 months. Construction around the Frankford Terminal area will block access for the ETBs during this time, hence the busing. If you're going to the SEPTA Roadeo tomorrow, you may want to head up to Frankford afterwards to get some parting shots of the ETBs in the Northeast.

SEPTA will operate a shuttle bus on Sunday for the Odunde Street Festival on South St. Service will operate between 15 St/JFK Blvd and 19 St/Lombard every 20 minutes between 11:00am and 7:00pm. Interesting how in recent weeks, SEPTA has operated more shuttle route service than it has in previous years...

SEPTA is in the planning stages for its next 300 bus order, which could be placed as early as the end of this year. SEPTA is strongly considering returning to New Flyer for their next batch of buses, even though Neoplan has expressed intrest in the upcoming order.

SEPTA will not operate the Center City Bus Loop to the Mann Music Center on Saturday for the Manheim Steamroller concert. Apparently, fans of Manheim Steamroller do not take transit...

There are a ton of detours around the Manayunk area due to the US Pro Cycling Championship and the related drunkeness festivals along Main St. In any case, the Wissahickon Transfer Center will be closed and all transfers made at that station will be moved to Ridge and Midvale (K terminus).

ARCHIVES - 06/03/02

Listed below are the major highlights for the City and Red Arrow schedule changes. CTD schedules change on Sunday, Red Arrow on the 10th, and subway/elevated schedules change on the 16th (as noted above, full details of the timetable changes are listed on a separate page):

• ROUTE 1: Seasonal schedule adjustments to reflect reduced service needs to the IRS Building; mid-day service will continue
• ROUTE 8: Seasonal adjustments to reflect the end of the academic year for the School District of Philadelphia
• ROUTE 14: Added early AM service to Oxford Valley; other weekday peak hour adjustments, mainly IRS related
• ROUTE 26: Route now operates out of Midvale
• ROUTE 27: Select weekday trips will only stop at Metroplex on request
• ROUTE 33: Sunday base service reduced from every 10 minutes to every 12 minutes
• ROUTES 47 & 57: Some trips moved from Midvale to Southern
• ROUTE 52: AM & PM peak hour trip time changes; short-turn trippers to Parkside Loop ended for summer
• ROUTE 54: All trips now assigned to Midvale
• ROUTE 73: Service now operated out of Comly
• ROUTE 77: Run times adjusted to accomodate detour in Cheltenham and Abington Twps and for Limited Stop service along Cottman
• ROUTE 76 (SPREE): New routing and service hours (see related item below)
• ROUTES H/XH: Peak headway adjustments; express service eliminated
• ROUTE 100: Peak headways reduced to every 15 minutes, with 2 car trains on all Norristown Express trips; weekend run time adjustments
• ROUTE 101: Daily 1:25am round trip to Media added, mainly to accomodate overnight shift at Drexelbrook; Saturday service levels reduced from every 20 minutes to every 30 minutes; Sunday service doubled from 60 minute headways to 30 minute headways
• ROUTE 102: Saturday service levels reduced from every 20 minutes to every 30 minutes; Sunday service doubled from 60 minute headways to 30 minute headways
• ROUTE 105: Run time adjustments due to Lancaster Av construction in Tredyffrin and Easttown
• ROUTE 108: New Sunday 6:30am trip to Philadelphia International Airport
• ROUTE 109: Saturday base service operates every 20 minutes between 9:00am and 7:00pm (depending on time of day, service increases or decreases)
• ROUTE 112: Minor weekday time adjustments
• ROUTE 123: Revised weekday and weekend run times, mainly due to I-76/US 202 interchange construction
• ROUTE 305: Sunday schedule now matches Saturday schedule, primarily due to increased service on the 102 trolley

In a seemingly futile attempt to increase ridership, SEPTA is restructuring the 76 Center City loop. Service will originate at the Penn's Landing loop, then operate via 2 St, Walnut, 18 St, Market, 15 St, S Penn Sq, Juniper, Market, Front and Chestnut. Hours of operation will also be extended until 6:00pm, however Saturday service will be eliminated starting July 8. An all-day pass on the Spree will be available for $2.00, eliminating the $1.00 per trip fare. Of course, this is virtually the same routing as the 21/42, but what does it matter to SEPTA? As long as the gullible fools at the Center City District are willing to foot the bill for this folly, then taxpayers should have nothing to worry about.

It appears that Midvale will get the lion's share of 5600 series New Flyers when they arrive next year. Tentatively 85 of the 100 buses in this batch will go to Midvale with the remaining 15 going to Frontier.

The misadventures of 6019 block - the ever controversial 92/133 run from hell - continued today, as the bus assigned to that run reportedly had equipment problems. The 7:20pm trip to Exton Square Mall never even made it into West Chester. And SEPTA wonders why ridership is abysmal on that line?

ARCHIVES - 06/02/02

Equipement problems over the weekend didn't exactly make life easy for riders on the 104. On Saturday, the 10:30am trip to West Chester didn't even arrive 69 St Terminal. The reported reason was equipment problem at the depot though someone reported the bus broke down at the terminal itself. Considering that Victory Depot is less than 2 blocks from 69 St Terminal, there's no reason that a bus couldn't have been dispatched to cover the 10:30am run and 11:25am return to 69 St Terminal.

To make matters worse, the 11:55am to 69 St Terminal (5322/237 block) arrived in West Chester at 11:59am and didn't leave until 12:08pm - 13 minutes behind schedule. 5322 arrived at the terminal at 1:03pm - an appalling 18 minutes behind schedule, causing more than a few missed connections to other Red Arrow bus and rail routes. There was absolutely no reason for the driver on 104/237 block to have taken that much time between arriving in West Chester and leaving.

On Sunday, 5318 - which was covering 104/234 block - the 2:55pm to 69 St Terminal - suffered a flat street side rear tire...

But, the laziness displayed by that 104 operator on Saturday isn't just limited to the 104. The 1:30pm 113 to Marcus Hook (5144/504 block) left 69 St Terminal about 5 minutes late. The operator was apparently in no hurry to get to her bus in time, as she was seen a couple of berths away talking to some people at 1:30pm. The bus arrived at Darby 6 minutes behind schedule. And people wonder why there is so much criticism of SEPTA these days?

The Bucks County TMA has discontinued the Levittown RUSH service which connected the Levittown-Tullytown R7 Trenton Line station with businesses in the Levittown section of Falls Twp and Tullytown borough, presumably due to very low ridership. It probably didn't help that most of the service in Tullytown was already covered by SEPTA's 128 bus...

While the Levittown RUSH service has been eliminated, the Bucks County TMA is starting two new RUSH services on Monday, July 1. The Pennridge RUSH will operate peak-hour service between the Lansdale R5 station and the Perkasie/Sellersville area. The Quakertown RUSH will also connect with the R5 at Lansdale station...

The 66 saw a mix of Neoplans and tracklesses yesterday. SEPTA appears to be phasing in the buses along the trackless lines in Northeast Philadelphia. The 59, 66, and 75 will go all diesel bus starting with the June 9 timetable change...

SEPTA is planning a major reshuffling of equipment within the next few weeks. Part of the rationale is to pull the 8700s and 8800s out of service by July, when the next scheduled inspection is due. Another reason is to accomodate the added number of buses slated to go to Frankford for the trackless shuttles. Presumably, extra buses will also be sent to Southern for use on the 36 shuttle...

Buses being used on the 36 shuttle between Woodland Shops and Eastwick Loop are being pulled from Southern, with a few from Callowhill. As was the case last year on the 10, Elmwood operators running the buses are reporting to Southern or Callowhill then operating their runs. Neoplans will be used on the shuttles since the Elmwood operators are not qualified to operate the NABIs or New Flyers...

ARCHIVES - 05/31/02

The 10, 11, 13, 34, and 36 saw reduced service with the May 26 timetable change. At least 3 peak hour cars were taken off each of the lines with the new schedule taking effect. I don't know if this is a standard seasonal service reduction or a case of SEPTA seeing if anyone would notice longer wait times along Lancaster, Woodland, Baltimore, Chester, and Elmwood.

A new 203 timetable was also issued on May 26. This summer, there will be no Sunday service from Woodbourne Station...

The Mann Music Center shuttle bus will be back starting with tonight's performance and continue throughout the summer. The fare will remain $3.00 each way.

ARCHIVES - 5/30/02

Buses along West Chester Pike were badly delayed due to a PennDOT crew on West Chester Pike at Manoa Rd in Havertown. The 5:32pm express arrived in West Chester about 12 minutes late - because of not only the heavy traffic through Havertown, but also because the bus used for that trip - 3155 - was painfully slow...

As a follow up to the status of the older Neos, the 8600s, 8700s, and 8800s should be retired by the middle of this summer. There is also talk that SEPTA may operate few non-accessible Neos on Sundays once the 5500s are all in service, which may also occur this summer...

Red Arrow schedules will change on June 10. The fall schedules will be put into effect on August 19 - about 3 weeks earlier than usual - to accomodate the new extensions on the 104, the changes to the 110 and 111, and introduction of the 122...

The MCI Demo bus will be returning to SEPTA property on June 10, a few days later than originally scheduled. The demo is now at the Beaver County Transit Authority north of Pittsburgh, and will return to the dealer in Blackwood, N.J. before making a return appearance at SEPTA...

ARCHIVES - 5/29/02

Space is indeed at a premium at Comly Depot. Right before the PM peak started, a few Neos were parked outside the depot property on Penn St, with 5081 parked on Bustleton. Once the remaining Neoplan CDs are taken off the road after the 5541-5585 Flyers arrive, all buses will probably be stored inside the depot's grounds. A couple of ex-Red Arrow buses - 8705 and 8710 - are still being used for school trippers, though 8705 appeared to be struggling to get up to speed after leaving the depot and heading north on Bustleton. As of this afternoon, 5541-5546 were being used in revenue service, mainly on the Roosevelt Blvd and Bustleton Av corridors (14/20 and 58), though 5546 did sneak in a run or two on the 24...

It appears that all of the remaining 8800s at Frankford have either been retired or sent to other depots, though given their age, they're most likely awaiting their fate at the Midvale scrap yard. The few 8600s should be retired by this summer. The 5500s at Frankford are mainly being used on the 8, 26, K, and R, at least from what I saw...

Buses appeared on the 66 today, apparently due to some wire problems along Frankford Avenue. Mainly 3100s were used for the bustitution today from personal observations during the mid-day hours...

With the temporary detour in effect on the 77 along Township Line Rd, a new timetable was issued for the 77, dated March 3. Additionally, there is new limited stop service along Cottman between Roosevelt Blvd and Central Av, presumably to avoid conflicts with the 70 local service in that corridor. The 77 will only stop on Cottman at Central Av (connections with 70 South, 24 North), Rising Sun/Oxford (18, 24 South, 67 North), Whitaker (19, 67 South), Castor (59), Bustleton (58) and Roosevelt Blvd (1, 14, 20)...

New timetables have been issued for the 11, 13, 34, and 36. I have yet to confirm if there's a new timetable for the 10, but I would imagine that there is. The 36 timetable reflects the shuttle bus operation between the Woodland Car Shops and Eastwick Loop...

The 92, 104, 119, and 314 will be detoured tomorrow night between 5:00pm and around 10:00pm because of the first of four Thursday night street fests in West Chester. Gay St will be closed between Matlack and High Sts during this time. On Sunday, Gay St in West Chester will be closed between Matlack and New Sts for the borough's annual Super Sunday festival.

ARCHIVES - 05/28/02

Red Arrow 3118 was involved in a minor accident this morning while in service on the 109 (404 block). Apparently, a truck hit the bus as 3118 was turning off of Long Lane onto Marshall Rd. It didn't appear that any people were hurt, there were about 4 Upper Darby police officers at the scene. Passengers were transferred onto the 11:00am 109 to Chester...

The damage to 3118 must have been minor since it was spotted later in the day deadheading back to the garage on West Chester Pike in Havertown at around 4:25pm...

The SEPTA/KYW Free Ride Tuesday promotion began today as 5385 was used as the Free Ride bus on the 21/42. It appears that the bus will remain at Callowhill for the first 5 weeks of the promotion before moving on to the next depot. According to reliable (and confidential) sources, next week's Free Ride Tuesday line will be the 30, with the promotion also scheduled to take place on the 31, 44/121, and G buses over the next few weeks...

Over the weekend, the 5500s began seeing service on Comly routes. 5542 was seen on the 14/20 on Sunday. This most likely means the end of the road for the remaining 8700s and 8800s at Comly.

ARCHIVES - 05/24/02

This summer's Subway-Surface shuttle involves the 36 trolley, to allow for rail renewal along Elmwood Av. Starting this Sunday, the 36 will operate with shuttle buses between 49 St/Woodland and the Eastwick Loop. Weekdays after 9:00pm, shuttles will be extended to the 40 St El Station, as the tunnel will remain closed during overnight hours as part of an ongoing project...

A lot of detours around the City of Philadelphia will be in effect over the course of the holiday weekend, particularly in the outlying neighborhoods such as Frankford, Tioga, South Philadelphia, Bridesburg, Manayunk, and Warminster Twp. The SEPTA web site will have more details on the individual route diversions...

Training on the 104 extension to West Chester University has begun in earnest. 5010 - probably a loaner from Callowhill - was seen operating over the new routing in West Chester via High, Sharpless, Church, and Rosedale...

Regional Rail schedules changes take effect on Sunday. SEPTA made a printing mistake on the R2 Marcus Hook/Wilmington/Newark timetables, omitting two midday trains to Marcus Hook and Wilmington from the schedule...

SEPTA and KYW NewsRadio 1060 are sponsoring a special transit promotion starting this Tuesday. For the next year, SEPTA will operate a special bus throughout the system which will feature a blue KYW NewsRadio full wrap. Judging by some of the pictures seen on KYW 3 last night, it looks as though the bus involved is either 5005 or 5385, but we'll find out soon enough...

On Wednesday, SEPTA will operate a special shuttle bus from North Philadelphia neighborhoods to the Hampton Inn at 13 St/Race St for the City of Philadelphia's Latino Job Fair.
The shuttle will begin at Rising Sun & Robbins, operating to Center City via Rising Sun, Wyoming, 5 St, Rising Sun, 5 St, Allegheny, 2 St, Lehigh Av, 17 St, Dauphin St, 2 St, Girard Av, 12 St, Arch and 13 St to Race St.
The return routing will operate via 13 St, Girard, Front, Lehigh, Broad St, Rising Sun, 5 St, Wyoming, and Rising Sun. The shuttle will stop at Compu Base (Rising Sun and Levick), Aspira (5 St/Bristol St), Congresso (American/Lehigh), Dept of Public Welfare (Broad/Lehigh), and Norris Square Family Center (5 St/Susquehanna).
SEPTA will operate this shuttle hourly starting from Compu Base at 8:00am, with return service starting at 10:05am.

ARCHIVES - 5/23/02

The delivery of the 5500 series of New Flyers are now more than halfway completed. Numbers as high as 5552 were among 7 D40LFs awaiting radios and other markings at Wyoming...

Just a reminder that El service will operate normally between 69 St and Frankford this weekend.