Well, it technically hasn't gone anywhere, but SEPTA's website now has a link to www.savetransit.org once again. This time, it's a refreshed website with updated information on the "Transit Funding Crisis". It's interesting because it shows a lot of information such as ridership statistics for each division (City, Victory, Frontier, and Regional Rail). On the homepage, there is also a message from Faye Moore, urging citizens to act to "save transit".
Orbital Sciences wins 17.8 million dollar contract from SEPTA
Orbital Sciences Corporation (ORB) got a 17.8 million dollar contract for its Transportion Management Systems division for the implementation of a system to better manage SEPTA's Paratransit Division, Customized Community Transport (CCT), the 2nd largest Paratransit operation in the country. As you may already know, Orbital is also the manufacturer of SEPTA's automatic stop announcement system (at least on the buses).
Bill proposed to extend MARC train to Elkton, Maryland
Cecil County proposed a bill that would require MARC to negotiate with Amtrak (its contractor) to extend service up to Elkton, Maryland on its Penn Line by July 1st, 2010. This is to fill the 20 mile gap between Newark, Delaware (SEPTA terminus) and Perryville, Maryland (MARC Terminus). A lot of this revolves around the BRAC (Federal Base Realignment and Closure) population moving to the Elkton/Newark area to work in Aberdeen, such as the Aberdeen Proving Ground.
Also considered is the fact that many people already have to drive to Newark from Maryland in order to take SEPTA into Philadelphia. If MARC were to extend the Penn Line up to Elkton, Maryland; Delaware is prepared to extend SEPTA's R2 Newark Line down to Elkton to meet it! This would make SEPTA Regional Rail unique in the fact that it would serve four states!
Currently, service between Elkton and Newark is provided by DART First State's route 65.
More information is available at this webpage: http://www.cecilwhig.com/articles/2007/03/19/news/01.txt.
Wissahicken Transfer Center under construction
The Wissahicken Transfer Center started to go under construction last week. SEPTA is working on this center to improve passenger accesibility and safety, as well as to make this loop a little more navigatable for the buses that use it.
Haddonfield Farmer’s Market coming to PATCO
On Saturday, May 12th, the new Haddonfield Farmer's Market will start selling fresh produce in the parking lot at PATCO's Haddonfield Station. It will be open every Saturday (rain or shine) from 11am to 3pm, until October 27th. There will also be live music from local bands as well! For more information, please visit their website at http://www.haddonfieldfarmersmarket.org/.
4552 burnt to a crisp
On Monday, 4552 caught fire while operating on the 305. Unfortunately, this bus is a total loss, making this the second El Dorado in the fleet to be lost to fire (the first being 4539).
SEPTA board approves addtional 16 Silverliner Vs
The SEPTA board, during its monthy board meeting yesterday, has approved the purchase of an 16 additional Silverliner V cars, adding on to the already 104 cars in the order. This will bring the total up to 120 cars expected to be delivered by 2011. The first pilot cars are expected to arrive later next year. These units will replacing the the 73 Silverliner II, and III cars which have been in service for nearly 50 years and are in need of being replaced!!
Also, the Delaware Transportation Corporation (DTC aka DART First State) has agreed to fund the purchase of four of these additional cars. These cars will be paid for through federal funding and funds matched by the DTC. The DTC owned cars will be used for service improvements on the R2 Newark line to address the rising ridership on this line.
The surplus of 47 cars is to address the current overcrowding problems throughout the rail system. Hopefully by 2012, SEPTA will be inundated with enough cars to fully supply service during rush hours without standees.
The total contract price would be $274,076,714.
http://www.pr-inside.com/septa-board-approves-purchase-of-r106578.htm
NJT Fare Proposals Approved
New Jersey Transit's Board of Directors approved the new fares that will become active on June 1st, 2007. There have been a few changes as a result of passenger comments, but some highlights include:
*Raising of Interstate Zone 1 fares (Philadelphia to Camden) to $1.45
*Base fare (Zone 1 Instrastate) is raised to $1.35
*Atlantic City Line will cost $7.27 to Atlantic City from Philadelphia, and $3.25 from Lindenwold
More information on the fare changes can be found here: http://www.njtransit.com/var/var_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=FPPDFTo
R2 finally gets a Push Puller!
During the next schedule change, the #7295 which set to depart suburban station at 5:12 to Newark is schedule to receive a Push-Puller set!! It also states on the chart, this train consist will also be running local from Suburban station to Newark Delaware as well which is a pretty interesting practice considering that the AEMs were not built to operate under such conditions as their Muti-unit (MU) counterparts.
For more infomation:
http://philadelphiatransitforums.cjb.net/index.php?showtopic=1020&st=0&#last
Milbourne Station Closing
On April 23rd, 2007, Milbourne Station on the Market Frankford Subway Elevated will close for a year for station reconstruction. Additionally, all trains will be making all stops on the Market Street El.