Philadelphia 2035 (York, Chester, Howard: move to, renewal, train)

[maf763]

Also from the Sunday Inquirer, regarding conversion of subway right of ways to park space.

[Darbarian]

Originally Posted by maf763

Also from the Sunday Inquirer, regarding conversion of subway right of ways to park space.

I really think that's a bad idea. There's already a tunnel dug for railway usage, why not use it as intended?

[Marius Pontmercy]

Originally Posted by Darbarian

I really think that's a bad idea. There's already a tunnel dug for railway usage, why not use it as intended?

Because SEPTA is cheap and would rather auction off all their rail infrastructure and just run buses. They tried to shut down the Regional Rail system in the 80s but thankfully it didn't work, although it is why all the suburban diesel lines no longer exist. It's also why they tore out the 23 and 56 in the early 90s even after the city ordered them to keep the lines running. SEPTA does not care for rail transit. Plain and simple. SEPTA has no intention of ever using the City Branch, and would rather get rid of the ROW than adapting it to something. A rail link down Penn Ave by the museum that could tie into the rte 15 and head up to the Zoo would be immensely useful, but SEPTA has no vision and doesn't care.

[DarkWolf]

The City proposed the City Branch , its a shame the City does not find a company like MTR or DB to buy out Septa's Urban system and expand it...

[Marius Pontmercy]

Originally Posted by Nexis4Jersey

The City proposed the City Branch , its a shame the City does not find a company like MTR or DB to buy out Septa's Urban system and expand it...

Because SEPTA won't allow it. They've had people approach them before about running portions of the system they've abandoned, but SEPTA will have none of it. They want to squat on the ROW and ensure nobody ever competes with them and their crappy bus service.

[SirGreenDown]

Yeah septa sucks ***. I wish there were more subway lines in this city, that's a big thing I miss about NYC.

[Darbarian]

Originally Posted by SirGreenDown

Yeah septa sucks ***. I wish there were more subway lines in this city, that's a big thing I miss about NYC.

Honestly, thats the one thing I cannot fault SEPTA on. They weren't around until after the collapse of the PTC, and there were huge pissing contests with the construction of the EL and Subway. Plus there were other factors in the 20's and 30's that hamstrung Philadelphia in completing their rapid transit system.



I will support the notion that SEPTA is all about bustitution. Their only major rail project since extending the Subway to Pattison Ave. is the 15 Trolley and the work they were doing over the summer on the 13 along Chester Ave.

Heck, they are even talking about BRT along Roosevelt Blvd as a cheaper alternative to the Subway extension. I just find it hysterical that the Blvd project isn't considered shovel ready based on the amount of times its construction has been studied, planned, and restudied.

They have their monopoly, and an inflexible, greedy union that is behind the operators. Plus having suburban counties with a voting influence on the SEPTA board doesn't bode well for transit expansion within the City.

[kidphilly]

Thought this intersting for anyone who likes things Philadelphia

The Atwater Kent Reopens | Hidden City Philadelphia

Also some info on Delaware River deepening and the Walnut St Bridge

[gfunkerror]

Originally Posted by Marius Pontmercy

Because SEPTA is cheap and would rather auction off all their rail infrastructure and just run buses. They tried to shut down the Regional Rail system in the 80s but thankfully it didn't work, although it is why all the suburban diesel lines no longer exist. It's also why they tore out the 23 and 56 in the early 90s even after the city ordered them to keep the lines running. SEPTA does not care for rail transit. Plain and simple. SEPTA has no intention of ever using the City Branch, and would rather get rid of the ROW than adapting it to something. A rail link down Penn Ave by the museum that could tie into the rte 15 and head up to the Zoo would be immensely useful, but SEPTA has no vision and doesn't care.

I don't think SEPTA doesn't care, I think there are other factors not mentioned. Find out who "owns" the rails. The tracks themselves. Amtrack? Conrail? When ever there are "signal problems, or rail problems, people blame SEPTA, but the fact is, SEPTA is a renter.

Next time you take the Paoli line, watch for the Amtrack trains, they have right of way.

Look deeper...much deeper. Inform yourself. There is much more to see.

[DarkWolf]

Originally Posted by gfunkerror

I don't think SEPTA doesn't care, I think there are other factors not mentioned. Find out who "owns" the rails. The tracks themselves. Amtrack? Conrail? When ever there are "signal problems, or rail problems, people blame SEPTA, but the fact is, SEPTA is a renter.

Next time you take the Paoli line, watch for the Amtrack trains, they have right of way.

Look deeper...much deeper. Inform yourself. There is much more to see.

All agencies have to yield to Amtrak , NJT does it all the time , so does Metro North , MARC and MBTA.... Conrail gave tracks to Septa , its gone anyway... Conrail was formed to help all the failing Railroads , it gave most of the tracks back to the states , some to private rail and some questionable private developers... Not all of the Conrail tracks are in use , theres about 2000 mi of ROW preserved for future use in NJ , PA , NY , and MA...