ExCon90 wrote:How could trains from the west terminate at Hamilton and return westward? I don't know of anywhere they could cross over until Monmouth Jct., and even then tie up the whole NEC making the move, plus all the unproductive time spent deadheading from Hamilton and back when they don't have enough equipment to handle the present service.
I never said this kind of service should be started up tomorrow without any changes.
You can and should do plenty of upgrades. Add a 5th track dedicated for SEPTA trains to terminate onto. Add the appropriate crossing points. Add parking as needed. Maybe even add a looping track so SEPTA doesnt have to cross any other track.
As MACTRAXX pointed out, Hamilton is perfectly situated for drivers coming from a large range of places. It is the optimal park and ride for those who want to reach Philadelphia.
I'd love if SEPTA ran to Newark (or NJT to Philly), but I would wager that Hamilton is the best cost-benefit from SEPTA's point of view, which is, gaining enough ridership to cover the added operating costs. Trenton captures all the transit connection ridership - Hamilton would capture all the driving ridership.
Im not familiar with the SEPTA stations, but judging from what I see from the window, none of the NEC stations between Trenton and Philly seem to offer any sort of adequate park and ride situation.
Id like to add that Princeton has a severe parking crunch, and from what I understand, very strong opposition to fixing that problem via a garage, which is why Hamilton came about. Princeton would be a lovely ending point for SEPTA, but only if that parking situation were to be fixed.
Oh, and you know what would be even cooler? SEPTA terminating in Princeton proper. After all, the SEPTA train is the same length as the dinky. Of course, that's about as likely as SEPTA starting service to Chicago.
Id also like to remind you all that Mercer County is part of DVRPC - the metropolitan planning organization that studies transportation is the Philly region. This is because Mercer County is more connected with Philly than with North Jersey or NYC. Thats also why it makes sense for SEPTA to further serve the County.