Railroad Forums 

  • Philly Transit Plan

  • Discussion relating to Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (Philadelphia Metro Area). Official web site can be found here: www.septa.com. Also including discussion related to the PATCO Speedline rapid transit operated by Delaware River Port Authority. Official web site can be found here: http://www.ridepatco.org/.
Discussion relating to Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (Philadelphia Metro Area). Official web site can be found here: www.septa.com. Also including discussion related to the PATCO Speedline rapid transit operated by Delaware River Port Authority. Official web site can be found here: http://www.ridepatco.org/.

Moderator: AlexC

 #1563956  by zebrasepta
 
Here's Philadelphia's Transit .pdf plan for the future.
https://www.phila.gov/media/20210222110 ... t-Plan.pdf
Here's one major thing they plan to achieve with Regional Rail
Our vision is to reimagine Regional Rail as a better connected service by
providing all-day frequency across the network.

To achieve Frequent Regional Rail with service operating every 15 minutes, 15
hours a day, seven days a week, the system will require significant upgrades
including modern multi-door rail cars, stations with high-level platforms, offboard fare collection, track and signal upgrades, and maximization of train
throughput in the Center City commuter tunnel. This is a significant effort. It
will take time and money to bring this century-old railroad into the 21st century.
 #1564152  by Pensyfan19
 
Any word on route expansions, maybe to Reading, Lancaster/Harrisburg or Allentown?
 #1564203  by ExCon90
 
rcthompson04 wrote: Thu Feb 25, 2021 11:24 am Do 15 minute headways make sense on most lines?
It's necessary if Regional Rail is to be integrated with other (bus, trolley, etc.) services, particularly for trips not to or from Center City. Whether they make good sense is more a political than an economic determination. It's definitely a case of "if we build it, will they come," but the frequency increase will have to precede any ridership increase, and an integrated fare structure will also be necessary (as if it isn't already)...
 #1564206  by blizzard
 
Pensyfan19 wrote: Thu Feb 25, 2021 3:44 pm Any word on route expansions, maybe to Reading, Lancaster/Harrisburg or Allentown?
Page 125 has a regional rail concept map that features "potential expansion" to Phoenixville, Quakertown, and West Chester, but these are not mentioned in the text of the document.

There is some discussion of BSL extension to the Navy Yard.

There is also a thread in the Amtrak forum about a recently released study proposing Reading -> PHL -> NYC and DC service: https://www.railroad.net/reading-pa-ser ... 58061.html
 #1564256  by WashingtonPark
 
rcthompson04 wrote: Thu Feb 25, 2021 11:24 am Do 15 minute headways make sense on most lines?
I could see 30 minute headways. That would seem to drive passenger increase. Even on a line like PATCO 15 minute headways don't make sense on the weekend.
 #1564276  by MACTRAXX
 
zebrasepta wrote: Tue Feb 23, 2021 2:22 pm Here's one major thing they plan to achieve with Regional Rail:
Our vision is to reimagine Regional Rail as a better connected service by
providing all-day frequency across the network.

To achieve Frequent Regional Rail with service operating every 15 minutes, 15
hours a day, seven days a week, the system will require significant upgrades
including modern multi-door rail cars, stations with high-level platforms, offboard fare collection, track and signal upgrades, and maximization of train
throughput in the Center City commuter tunnel. This is a significant effort. It
will take time and money to bring this century-old railroad into the 21st century.
ZS and Everyone: I downloaded and read this 192 page proposal - Regional Rail is in Section 4.2
(pages 118-131) and found this City transit plan interesting in its vision for the future (2045)

The plan emphasizes "transitizing" Regional Rail much the same as what was going to be attempted in the
early 1980s had a certain faction at SEPTA back then gotten their way. One change that was implemented
was the re-naming of the system "Regional High Speed Lines" or "RHSL" for 2 1/2 years (1983 to June 1985)
from "Commuter Rail" until the name "Regional Rail Lines" began use in July 1985.

The proposed "Silver Line" between Fern Rock and University City (Penn Medicine Sta.) comprising all five
CCP stations along with North Broad, Wayne Junction and Fern Rock stations along with frequent service
is NOT a necessity and may even add to confusion concerning train service routings.

High level platforms at all stations and off-train fare collection is a significant - and costly - part of this plan.
The most expensive part will be the new cars required to replace the now 45 to 47 year old Silverliner Four
car fleet which will be necessary under this frequency plan - or any future service plan - going forward.

There is a RRD system map on Page 125 which shows how RRD frequency of service would be implemented.
The need for 15 minute RRD service on many routes currently does not exist - and will not be until the RRD
system as a whole recovers from the massive ridership losses in the past year due to the pandemic.

There are other RRD issues for later discussion...MACTRAXX
 #1565013  by PHLSpecial
 
This is not directly tied to the 2045 plan. There was a mention of restoring rail service to West Chester via regional rail. How about converting the 104 bus route back to a trolley route?
I understand the current rails are ripped out. It would make sense to use restore the rails from 69th street to West Chester using the 104 bus route. It will provide connections to SAP Newtown Square, Havertown, and West Chester. Either restore the catenary, DMU or Hydrogen Fuel cell trains.
 #1565494  by rcthompson04
 
PHLSpecial wrote: Thu Mar 04, 2021 5:21 pm This is not directly tied to the 2045 plan. There was a mention of restoring rail service to West Chester via regional rail. How about converting the 104 bus route back to a trolley route?
I understand the current rails are ripped out. It would make sense to use restore the rails from 69th street to West Chester using the 104 bus route. It will provide connections to SAP Newtown Square, Havertown, and West Chester. Either restore the catenary, DMU or Hydrogen Fuel cell trains.
Very unlikely considering the lack of density west of Newtown Square until you get to close to West Chester and the old interurban ran on its own right of way that was paved over when West Chester Pike was widened. If you wanted to go back to just Newtown Square that might be more reasonable.

Too bad there appears to be a lot of right of way encroachment on the old Newtown Square Branch west of PA 320. I am not sure how many McMansion owners would be peeves if Silverliners were running on the edge of their yards, but it is more than a handful from what I can see.