This week's Route of the Week is the Chestnut Hill East Line! This Regional Rail Line travels between 30th Street Station and Chestnut Hill East. There are 14 stations along Chestnut Hill East's 12.2-mile route, including Suburban Station, Wayne Junction, Germantown, and Mount Airy.
The Chestnut Hill East Line uses the Reading Company right-of-way, which was originally constructed by the Philadelphia, Germantown, and Norristown (PG&N) railroad before the American Civil War. The PG&N intended to build a railroad from Philadelphia to Norristown but stopped when construction reached Germantown due to the hilly nature of the terrain west of Germantown and along the Wissahickon Creek. The PG&N decided to change course and build another railroad line close to the Schuylkill River, which would later become SEPTA's Manayunk/Norristown Line.
The Chestnut Hill East Line was known as the R7 until 2010.
Now that Travel Wallet is available on Regional Rail, riding couldn't be easier! All you have to do is tap your SEPTA Key on the platform or turnstile validator at your boarding station. This opens your trip. Then sit back and enjoy your ride! When you exit, tap off at the platform or turnstile validator before you leave the station. This closes out the trip. Again, all you have to do is Tap, Ride, Tap! You can read about the most up-to-date fare information here!
And before you head out, don't forget to mask up! Wearing a mask and maintaining social distance between you and other riders is vital to keeping yourself and those around you safe!
So whether you're headed to Chestnut Hill, Center City, or anywhere in between - let SEPTA be your ride!