I tend to like the idea of extending PATCO to the 40th street portal as the city proposed back in 2021. I like this idea better because it would serve the hospital area which has a lot of jobs and is very much underserved by rapid transit. I think this would also alleviate the crowding on the MFL while also bringing more people into the subway system generally. I imagine the problem with having PATCO go to 30th street is it would only be a beneficial for people going from NJ to 30th street area, which they can already do with a transfer. by having PATCO go to 40th street I think you'll get more people going from say Old city or rittenhouse or even transfers from the BSL taking PATCO to west philly who either would otherwise take the MFL, bus or walk. In the long run I think having another subway line go to 30th st station is a good idea but I think we need to diversify where our rapid transit goes.
This is reminds me of why I think the trolley subway tunnel is kind of stupid. and I remember in the late 90's/early 2000's there was a proposal to extend the trolleys down market street which made no sense as its completely redundant to the MFL. It would make more sense to extend those lines down walnut or Arch, or even north/south than to just expand the same transit tunnel. but anyway, end thought dump.
See this document on page 138,
https://www.phila.gov/media/20210222...ansit-Plan.pdf