SEPTA Board Approves New Fares

Today the SEPTA board approved plan A of the fare increase proposal, which will take effect July 9th.  Although the base fare and price of tokens are the same, a lot of other things are changing and/or being elminated.  This includes:

  1. The elimation of transfers (July 31)
  2. Replacing the Daypass with a One Day Convenience Pass for 8 rides in one day on the transit division
  3. A new Zone 1 Trailpass (starting July 30, monthlies starting in Aug)
  4. Charging the on board surcharge on Regional Rail regardless of whether or not the station is open

And a lot more.  Please visit the following webpage for more grim details: http://www.septa.org/fares/July2007/index.htm

SEPTA’s new ad campaign

In an effort to gain more ridership in the Manayunk and Roxborough areas, SEPTA is advertising "neighborhood" routes.  These routes include the 65, 27, 61, 9, and even the R6!

SEPTA has been using things such as drink coasters, pins, magnets, and pocket maps to advertise the services in this area.  You may also see these ads on the outside and inside of various buses, particularly buses out of the Midvale and Allegheny districts.

This advertising campaign only costs $45,000, and is being used as a tool to not only gain new riders, but to alert them to changes in routes as well (such as the rerouting of the 35 over the past few years).  This campaign will be used in the future for other areas as well.

For more information, please visit this webpage: http://philly.metro.us/metro/local/article/SEPTA_hopes_to_pick_up_riders_with_bar_campaign/9140.html

Wissahicken Transfer Center reopens

Wissahicken Transfer Center, now known as Wissahicken Transportation Center, reopened on Monday.  The transportation center now has more space for the buses, with a clearly marked drive lane and bus parking spots.  There's a new bus platform with a large shelter for passengers as well.

All 2002 D40LFs Overhauled

All of the 5501-5600 series New Flyers have been overhauled and returned to service. SEPTA has turned there attention to the 5613-5712 series D40LFs. Thus far 5617, 5633, 5640, 5651, and 5656 have been overhauled and retrofitted with Cummins ISL-280 engines.

 Daryl Jackson

46th Street Station Closes, 60th Street Station Opens

46th Street is next!  This station will close tomorrow at 8pm for about a year as SEPTA builds a new station in its place. Routes 64 and 31 will be detoured, and the 31S will return!  You can find more information about this at Digital50.com. Also, 60th Street Station will reopen Monday morning for the start of service.

Wissahicken Transfer Center to close for 9 days

Due to construction at Wissahicken Transfer Center, there will be a 9 day shut down of this loop.  This shut down will occur from Friday, June 15 at 5pm to Monday, June 25 at 6am.  During the shutdown, bus routes that use the loop will use the former site of the "Ravine", on Ridge Ave between Calumet and Merrick Streets.  Once this is over with, riders will be greeted with a larger, more customer friendly transfer center.

Please visit the following webpage for additional information: http://www.septa.org/travel_advisory/bus_20070615.html.

Photos of #800

PTV manager Daryl Jackson has uploaded two photos of the New Flyer E40LF into the Photo Gallery, Click here to check it out!

 SEPTA_800_A.jpg
#800_front

 SEPTA_800_B.jpg
#800_B

He also have posted a few comments about these units in the discussion boards as well..

http://philadelphiatransitforums.cjb.net/index.php?showtopic=1096

The New Flyer E40LF demo arrives…

Finally, the demo Trackless Trolley has arrived in South Philadelphia, where it was unloaded from a CSX train.  Tomorrow, the New Flyer demo will arrive via flatbed truck to Frankford Depot, where it will be tested for a three week period.  Although it may not be outside tomorrow for all to see, SEPTA commuters in the Frankford area most likely will be able to get a glimpse of this special vehicle.