This site is for public transportation enthusiasts who are interested in various types of public transportation agencies in the Delaware Valley region.
Next week, DART First State will hold several public hearings so that riders can comment on the proposed changes. Although many of these changes are minor, certain trips and routes will be eliminated. A highlight is that a new rt 31 Newark Trolley route will be created, taking people around Newark during the midday.
A list of proposed changes, as well as a list of the hearing dates, times, and locations, can be found on DART's website: http://www.dartfirststate.com/PublicHearing/sc/
NJT is holding it's College Students Free Ride Week next week, from Monday, September 17th to Sunday, September 24. This program allows college students, with a college ID (from any college) and a Free Ride Coupon, to ride any NJT route (bus, train, or light rail) for free as far and as often as they wish.
Visit NJT's website to take the survey to obtain your Free Ride Coupon: http://survey.njtransit.com/TakeSurvey.aspx?PageNumber=1&SurveyID=mlKI884
This just in to the PTV news center. There has been a collision involving a Route 10 and Route 13 Kawasaki car in the subway in the area of 13th/Juniper. Details are not known as of right now but when they become available they will be posted. All Subway Surface routes are currently on diversion to 40th and Market Streets where riders can connect to the Market Frankford El for service into Center City.
Due to the popularity of the SEPTA Zoo Link, service will be extended to mid fall (a date was not specified). This route will continue to operate on weekends and holidays.
PATCO and the Delaware River Port Authority have chosen two firms to study the PATCO expansion into New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The firm for New Jersey is STV Incorporated and the one for Pennsylvania is PB Americas. This study will take 18 to 24 months, and community involvement will be a signifant part of this process.
PATCO will be sending out transit ambassadors into the parking lots and stations in Philadelphia and Camden during off peak hours. This is because of the new fare collection system and because PATCO wants to improve their rider's experience by providing a friendlier environment. This is good since now riders will be able to ask questions about the service, rather than have to soley rely on maps.
On Sunday, PATCO will only be operating between Philadelphia and Collingswood due to scheduled track maintenance; however, there will be NO shuttles of any sort – riders to Lindenwold will just have to find their own way to their final destination.
Finally – the Champions have been receiving outside ads. These are mini ads (similar to what is found on the El Dorados) that are placed on the sides as well as the back (not full poster ads like the rest of the buses). These advertisements seem to be for the Fox Chase Health Center.
Also, my PHL 17 is having a huge ad campaign on the El Dorados for Family Guy. Dorados everywhere seem to be "dedicated" to this advertisement, with banner ads on the sides as well as a full back wrap. Even Germantown Dorados are getting the treatment (4502 was spotted today with these ads – the first outside ads to be placed on Germantown's fleet).
SEPTA is really trying to get as much money as possible out of all of these buses….wonder when the trains will start getting wrapped…
Judge DiVito ruled in favor of the city, and SEPTA is required to continue to sell transfers at 60 cents a piece. SEPTA, however, is not happy, and is going to appeal to the Commonwealth Court.
More info here: http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20070816_SEPTA_paper_tranfers_will_continue.html
The Philadelphia School District and SEPTA got 6 million dollars from the state to provide free transportation to city students, resolving the concern with students having to pay much more for their trip to school under the proposed transfer elimination. Apparently, Philadelphia School District was the only school district to not provide free transportation for middle and high school students, and families had to pay around 300 dollars over the school year.
Each student (living at least 1.5 miles away from their school) will receive a special free weekly school transpass, which will only be good for school days during the normal student commuting hours.
Even with the problem of school transportation solved, the lawsuit between the city and SEPTA still goes on!