Philadelphia Transportation Thread

[Nouvellecosse]

I just noticed that Alan has a Roosevelt Blvd video from a couple months ago. Pretty interesting that there's already some existing infrastructure that was built in anticipation.

• Video Link

[Urbanthusiat]

Just another little public hint that the rail to Reading-Pottstown-Phoenixville is probably going to happen in the near future.

Touring Phoenixville Tops American Planning Association Conference

[Urbanthusiat]

Cancellation of KOP rail left $340M extra in SEPTA’s capital budget. Here’s how it will be spent.

[Busy Bee]

So i got to additional trolleys before the subscription only prompt kicked me out.... Can anyone list?

[Randomguy34]

^ Here you go

Trolley modernization. The project will receive $157 million in fiscal year 2024, which begins July 1. All told, SEPTA’s capital plan envisions spending $1.63 billion through 2035 on the project, including money spent this year. About $790 million will be used to acquire at least 130 new streetcars with low floors and ramp extensions that will make the eight-line trolley system accessible to people with disabilities for the first time. An additional $834 million will be used to make trolley stations at 19th, 22nd, 33rd, 36th and 37th Streets accessible and to build about 120 new trolley stops with raised and accessible platforms so the network functions like a light-rail system — and trolleys don’t get stuck in traffic. SEPTA hopes to finish the project by 2035 but estimates that it will need to get about $600 million more in funding to do so.

New rail cars for the Market-Frankford Line. SEPTA will spend $800 million for new rail cars on the El and an additional $150 million for a new signal system and other improvements along the line. The 25-year-old El cars need regular repairs and are becoming more unreliable. Erik Johanson, senior director of budgets and transformation, said the $950 million project is fully funded.

Replacement of 200 Silverliner IV Regional Rail cars. Between 2028 and 2034, SEPTA will spend an estimated $650 million on these upgrades. The cars were designed and built by General Electric and delivered to SEPTA between 1973 and 1976. The agency has already set aside about half the amount needed for those new cars, Johanson said.

Bus Revolution. The overhaul of SEPTA’s bus network is to be “cost-neutral,” meaning that levels of service and staffing will be reallocated among the routes and not increased. But the capital budget also includes $163 million through 2035 to build end-of-line restrooms for bus drivers and measures to help buses move more quickly through traffic. Those could include dedicated bus lanes, traffic signals that prioritize buses, and “queue jump lanes” that let buses bypass other traffic at intersections, the budget says.

[Busy Bee]

Very good. Thanks

[TonyTone]

Septa releases request for proposals to develop next generation of septa key

‘SEPTA Key 2.0’ Will Enhance Mobile & Open Payment Functions, Prepare SEPTA for Future Upgrades

PHILADELPHIA (April 20, 2023) – SEPTA is seeking proposals from experienced vendors to develop, implement, and maintain its fare payment system as part of “SEPTA Key 2.0”.

SEPTA Key 2.0 is a next-generation, multimodal fare payment system intended to improve the customer experience.

“SEPTA Key 2.0 will help ensure that we stay up-to-date with constantly-evolving fare payment technology,” said SEPTA General Manager and CEO Leslie S. Richards. “This is a critical investment in our customers, and an important part of SEPTA Forward, SEPTA’s strategic plan.”

SEPTA Key propelled SEPTA from an era of tokens and paper tickets to a reloadable, contactless chip card that offers a host of options for seamless travel and self-service flexibility. Now, more than a decade after its design, the current SEPTA Key data-processing software is due for an upgrade to meet the expectations of today – and tomorrow.

“We have learned a lot from the first phase of SEPTA Key,” said Richards. “Our goal is to build on the strengths of SEPTA Key by unifying fare policy and promoting affordability, equity, and ridership growth.”

With SEPTA Key 2.0, riders can expect to see the following upgrades:

New and better options to pay: Using a smartphone; contactless debit or credit card; or wearable device
Convenience of paying for multiple riders at the same time with the same fare media
Expanding the retail network to provide riders with more locations to purchase fares
Automatic, real-time updates to customer accounts and fare media
Integration with regional partners and third party-issued fare media
Flexible fare structure to make it easier for customers to obtain the best fare possible
Modernizing the website, mobile app, and communication channels

[TonyTone]

Septa releases proposed fiscal year 2024 capital budget & 12-year program

12-Year Program Represents SEPTA’s Largest-Ever Investment in the System at $12.6 Billion

https://www5.septa.org/media/news/se...-year-program/

This Capital Program advances several SEPTA Forward initiatives, including:

Trolley Modernization: $1.63 billion for vehicle acquisition and infrastructure upgrades

Market-Frankford Line Railcar Replacement: $950 million for vehicle acquisition, infrastructure upgrades, and a new signal system

Regional Rail Fleet Replacements: $650 million to initiate the replacement of 50-year-old railcars

Wayfinding Improvements: $40 million for signage, real-time information, and website/mobile app upgrades

State of Good Repair & Safety: $3.6 billion to rehabilitate and modernize the legacy system for a state of good repair

Accessibility for All: Nearly $1 billion to provide full ADA accessibility at 45 Rail Transit & Regional Rail stations over the next 12 years. By the end of this 12-year program, 100% of subway/elevated and trolley stations will be ADA accessible.

Bus Revolution: $163 million for end-of-line facilities and transit prioritization improvements

[thoughtcriminal]

April 29, 9:30 am

[thoughtcriminal]

Originally Posted by thoughtcriminal

April 29, 9:30 am

Did anyone go to this? Anything to report?

[Jawnadelphia]

Might've been reported here before, but Maryland and MARC officials seem really serious about linking the Wilmington-Newark (SEPTA) regional rail line to their line at Perryville. Which would create a pretty massive, local regional rail from DC thru the SEPTA system and north.

Talks reignite on MARC, SEPTA commuter rail link - from May 8, 2023 - Delaware Business Times

NEWARK – The long-discussed goal of having commuter rail service between Delaware and northeast Maryland now seems just a matter of time, according to transit authorities in both states. “There have been talks about it for a number of years and now we now have an agreement to identify obstacles and choose a path forward,”
https://delawarebusinesstimes.com/ne...septa-link-23/ - sorry for the pay-wall.

The Maryland Department of Transportation-Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) signed framework agreements with Delaware Transit Corp. (DART First State) and the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) for the potential future expansion of MARC commuter-rail service to Newark, Delaware, and Alexandria, Virginia, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced last week.
https://www.progressiverailroading.c...dvances--69031

"There is about a 20-mile gap between Newark and the northeastern terminus of the Penn line at Perryville in Cecil County. It turns out that’s the only segment along Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor from Virginia to Connecticut not served by regional rail."
https://thedailyrecord.com/2022/08/2...ransportation/

[thoughtcriminal]

Originally Posted by Jawnadelphia

Might've been reported here before, but Maryland and MARC officials seem really serious about linking the Wilmington-Newark (SEPTA) regional rail line to their line at Perryville. Which would create a pretty massive, local regional rail from DC thru the SEPTA system and north.

Talks reignite on MARC, SEPTA commuter rail link - from May 8, 2023 - Delaware Business Times

NEWARK – The long-discussed goal of having commuter rail service between Delaware and northeast Maryland now seems just a matter of time, according to transit authorities in both states. “There have been talks about it for a number of years and now we now have an agreement to identify obstacles and choose a path forward,”
https://delawarebusinesstimes.com/ne...septa-link-23/ - sorry for the pay-wall.

The Maryland Department of Transportation-Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) signed framework agreements with Delaware Transit Corp. (DART First State) and the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) for the potential future expansion of MARC commuter-rail service to Newark, Delaware, and Alexandria, Virginia, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced last week.
https://www.progressiverailroading.c...dvances--69031

"There is about a 20-mile gap between Newark and the northeastern terminus of the Penn line at Perryville in Cecil County. It turns out that’s the only segment along Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor from Virginia to Connecticut not served by regional rail."
https://thedailyrecord.com/2022/08/2...ransportation/

Interesting. So you could go from like Connecticut to Baltimore using local regional rail systems.

[Jawnadelphia]

Originally Posted by thoughtcriminal

Interesting. So you could go from like Connecticut to Baltimore using local regional rail systems.

Actually down to DC and points beyond, looking at the MARC map.

Perryville highlighted in yellow at top right corner, just needs to link up with Newark, DE stop... and its all connected.

[PhillyRising]

Originally Posted by Jawnadelphia

Might've been reported here before, but Maryland and MARC officials seem really serious about linking the Wilmington-Newark (SEPTA) regional rail line to their line at Perryville. Which would create a pretty massive, local regional rail from DC thru the SEPTA system and north.

Talks reignite on MARC, SEPTA commuter rail link - from May 8, 2023 - Delaware Business Times

NEWARK – The long-discussed goal of having commuter rail service between Delaware and northeast Maryland now seems just a matter of time, according to transit authorities in both states. “There have been talks about it for a number of years and now we now have an agreement to identify obstacles and choose a path forward,”
https://delawarebusinesstimes.com/ne...septa-link-23/ - sorry for the pay-wall.

The Maryland Department of Transportation-Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) signed framework agreements with Delaware Transit Corp. (DART First State) and the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) for the potential future expansion of MARC commuter-rail service to Newark, Delaware, and Alexandria, Virginia, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced last week.
https://www.progressiverailroading.c...dvances--69031

"There is about a 20-mile gap between Newark and the northeastern terminus of the Penn line at Perryville in Cecil County. It turns out that’s the only segment along Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor from Virginia to Connecticut not served by regional rail."
https://thedailyrecord.com/2022/08/2...ransportation/

Newark could be a hub like Trenton where you can switch systems. It would be pretty cool to use SEPTA then MARC to get to DC...then you could even jump on the Metro to get to your final destination and avoid 95 altogether.

There is a bus that connects Perryville and Newark...I'm assuming it still runs.
https://www.newarkpostonline.com/new...22a0afbaa.html

[summersm343]

PHL projects 12% increase in travelers this summer, busy Memorial Day weekend

The Philadelphia International Airport expects to see heavier traffic this summer, with more than 4 million passengers estimated to depart from June through August, a 12% increase from the same time last year.

Passenger numbers will be nearly evenly split across the three-month period, with 1.31 million departing passengers in June, 1.36 million in July and 1.38 million in August. Those projections, released by PHL Thursday, are based off of seat availability numbers provided by airlines.

Passenger data for the upcoming travel season represents growth by more than 400,000 departures compared with the same time period in 2022 when the airport saw 3.6 million departing passengers. PHL attributes the projected year over year growth in summer travel to the continued strength of the U.S. dollar allowing for good purchasing power internationally and the continued loosening of travel restrictions following the pandemic.

Along with increased departures, the airport also expects an 8.5% increase in the number of flights and a 10.7% increase in seats this summer compared to 2022.

Despite projected growth, summer traffic will remain down 13.7% from the 4.69 million departing passengers during summer 2019. That number contributed to a record year for PHL, which saw almost 34 million visitors pre-pandemic.

In the 2022 calendar year, the airport welcomed more than 25.2 million people, a 28.5% increase over 2021. PHL — whose top five carriers are American Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Delta Airlines and United Airlines — has not released projected passenger volume for 2023.

PHL says it believes that it will take a few more years for the airport to be back up to pre-pandemic levels. During a Business Journal event in March, Department of Aviation CEO Atif Saeed said the airport predicts that its visitation will recover to monthly 2019 levels in late 2025 and aims to reach annual recovery in 2026.

Article behind paywall here:
https://www.bizjournals.com/philadel...4-million.html

[Mr Saturn64]

Originally Posted by summersm343

PHL projects 12% increase in travelers this summer, busy Memorial Day weekend



Article behind paywall here:
https://www.bizjournals.com/philadel...4-million.html

Well, with any luck I'll be on one of those flights. Here's hoping.

On another note, I know one thing that's been talked about is the possibility of a flight from Philly to East Asia. Well, it turns out Tokyo is actually closer to Philly than Doha is. Beijing is not that much farther. May not mean much, but it would be nice.

[Mr Saturn64]

Detroit and Philly hubs lost traffic in the Pandemic. Now Delta and American look to rebuild.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/tedreed...h=14b62e8b1e38

[PHL10]

I'm not on the El outside of CC/UCity that often but I took it from Tioga to Center City this morning. There was a delay so I was on the platform for about 20 minutes before the train arrived. Probably about 100 people came into the station during that time and no exaggeration, about half evaded the fare. Most did the pull the turnstile toward you and squeeze through trick, a few reached over the handicap gate and waved their hand in front of the motion sensor to have it open, and a few did the old school turnstile hop. Really sad times we live in. As a society in 2023 are we really not allowed to enforce anything? I think McGrath has alluded to this issue a few times in the past and I've seen it happen but never to this scale.

[Busy Bee]

Four years of Biff Tannen as president and a society halting disease was bound to do some damage.

[yuryphilly]

Originally Posted by PHL10

I'm not on the El outside of CC/UCity that often but I took it from Tioga to Center City this morning. There was a delay so I was on the platform for about 20 minutes before the train arrived. Probably about 100 people came into the station during that time and no exaggeration, about half evaded the fare. Most did the pull the turnstile toward you and squeeze through trick, a few reached over the handicap gate and waved their hand in front of the motion sensor to have it open, and a few did the old school turnstile hop. Really sad times we live in. As a society in 2023 are we really not allowed to enforce anything? I think McGrath has alluded to this issue a few times in the past and I've seen it happen but never to this scale.

I guess that's socialized public transport we were all hearing about. The city isn't interested in collecting fare revenue or ticket drivers who drive dangerously.