SEPTA Headlines for 04/01

[JeffK]

On returning from the annual spaghetti harvest I found several SEPTA-related stories we should be aware of:

• "Major City Bus Routes to be Re-converted to Trolley Service; 42 cars expected back on Chestnut St. by 2019."
  
  "NPT scrapped; SEPTA adopts proof-of-payment". Casey: "POP will be cheaper and easier to implement. Operational savings and passenger convenience will more than make up for a small number of lost fares."
  
  "Sen. Metcalfe Resigns; Admits Most SEPTA Riders Use Transit to Go to Work"
  
  "NHSL King of Prussia Branch Extended to Pottstown; New Branch Planned Along Route 363". Line will be renamed Pottstown-Norristown-Worcester.

We now return to your regularly scheduled reality.

[jetfixer170]

"SEPTA to consider outsourcing Rail Dispatching operations to India. Sources say response times should improve with the facility's relocation."

[CarterB]

SEPTA to put bathrooms in all trolleys, light rail, and commuter cars by 2016. Facilities to be state of the art 'road dump'
to conserve water, toilet paper optional, to be supplied by passengers.

[bikentransit]

Governor Wolf authorized PennDOT to create a passenger rail services division called "The Pennsylvania Railroad", and will takeover all SEPTA operations starting April 1, relegating SEPTA to bus and light rail operations only. In a noontime press conference, Governor Wolf detailed a plan to expand passenger rail service beyond the SEPTA region and Amtrak Keystone corridor to include Hershey, Allentown and Scranton. The Governor also detailed a recent conference with Governor Christie where the two governors started a new era of bipartisanship that will push ahead the completion of NJ Transit service to Scranton.

On a smaller scale, Governor Wolf also is creating a special fund to restore rail services cut under SEPTA's tenure to the West Chester and Newtown communities.

[TrainPhotos]

SEPTA plans HSR service on all lines with 15 minute headways.