SEPTA Claus Brings Gifts of the Future
January 21, 2016
by Gabriella Schrier
Published on January 23, 2016
Here we are, ISEPTAPHILLYers, the future!
Or so it seems. “2016” has such a futuristic sound to it, doesn’t it?
But alas, our present seems far less like a science fiction scene, and more of just, well, Philadelphia. But despite not having flying cars, or jetpacks (let’s ignore Hoverboards for now, they’ll poke your eye out!), our city keeps moving forward.
So, as we’ve moved into the New Year, we used the last month of 2015 to ask our riders, What do you want from SEPTA Claus?
Responses varied. And today, we’ve picked out a few of our favorites to share with you. Some of them are more specific (asking SEPTA Claus for a Pass) and some of them, a little more abstract. We loved reading them all. Getting a peek into our riders’ worlds and commutes is one of our favorite things.
Here’s what you asked for from SEPTA Claus!
Just a fun and relaxing time with family and friends during my break from nursing school… and a January Anywhere TrailPass so I can utilize all of the SEPTA services to get to my classes and clinical nursing sites all over the city (instead of driving to the sites!
-Kristin
For some of the commuters to be much nicer to train conductors. I mean really, they take so much *crap on a daily bases. How hard is it to just say thank you? Just say a lot of thank yous to SEPTA staff in general please.
-Amber
One of the "if it's SEPTA, Ride It!" tees or maybe a bag!
-Sarah
Dear SEPTA Clause, I work at Macy's in Center City but live in Lansdale. Aside from this being the busiest time at work with extended hours, I also have four kids I need to provide for and give presents. After the financial crunch this month, nothing would be better than to save on my TrailPass for January. All I want for Christmas is a monthly SEPTA TrailPass!!!! Merry Christmas and thank you for getting me to work safely every day and night!
-Lynda
High-speed rail to the KOP Mall
-Peter
For you guys to continue doing the awesome job you guys do. I travel often... I never appreciated SEPTA until I traveled down south. In states like Alabama and Texas, you’re lucky to see a bus, let alone ride one... Thanks SEPTA!
-Kevin
If I could ask SEPTA Claus for anything this Christmas, I'd ask him to bring me a yearly TransPass, although there's no such thing. Helping me save some money this upcoming year on traveling back and forth to work would make this the best Christmas ever!
-Marcus
I would ask for SEPTA Claus to give all the homeless in the city a One Day Independence Pass so they can travel to their family and friends.
-Charlie
All I want for Christmas is a Nintendo 64 with Super Mario 64. I know it's old school, but it's so fun!
-Corey
I would ask SEPTA Claus if I could be a train conductor on the Regional Rail. I would love, love, and absolutely love to put smiles on people faces as I collect fares, give tickets, and information to SEPTA's Regional Rail riders!!! That's all I would want this holiday season.
-Jeanine
But, wishful thinking aside, SEPTA is moving forward, and we’ve got big plans in motion. These are just a few of our favorite plans to rebuild:
In order to accommodate ridership growth on the Regional Railroad, SEPTA will purchase (up to 55) multi-level passenger railcars. These new cars, together with the new electric locomotives, will provide additional capacity to accommodate our increasing ridership. The multi-level cars will look similar to those used by MARC between Washington and Baltimore and New Jersey Transit.
Lansdale Station Parking Garage (Lansdale/Doylestown Regional Rail Line)
SEPTA will construct a new precast concrete parking garage at the site of the existing surface parking lot at Lansdale Station. This project will increase the parking capacity at Lansdale Station by 305 spaces. The project also includes improvements to the station's Main Street entrance. A pedestrian overpass will provide a direct connection to the Madison Avenue Transit Oriented Development (TOD) project. This project is the result of close coordination between SEPTA, PennDOT, and the Borough of Lansdale.
Suburban Station Customer Amenities
This project stems from a need for public restrooms both inside and outside of the proposed fare lines to be installed as part of the SEPTA Key initiative. At the same time, the crew quarters in Suburban Station are being expanded to include a new men's room to accommodate a high-demand of facilities during operator down time. The installation of new restroom facilities at Suburban Station will provide amenities to both rail customers as well as the non-riding public passing through or shopping, which is key to SEPTA's new fare program. The expansion of the crew quarters to address high-demand on men's restroom facilities is part of SEPTA's continued endeavor to invest in our employee's health and wellness.
In May, the SEPTA Board of Directors approved spending up to $154 million for new electric locomotives to replace the existing AEM-7s/ALP-44 locomotives that have exceeded their useful life. The locomotives will be manufactured by Siemens Industry, Inc. and will be very similar to the ACS-64 electric locomotives Siemens is presently delivering to Amtrak. The first SEPTA ACS-64s are due to be delivered in early 2018. In conjunction with the planned purchase of new Multi-level passenger cars, SEPTA will be able to provide additional capacity to accommodate our growing ridership.
40th Street Station ADA Improvements Market Frankford Line
SEPTA is very proud to announce ADA improvements at the 40th Street Station on the Market-Frankford Line. This project improves the station, making it an ADA compliant facility with the installationof elevators that will provide customer access to/from the street and platforms. This will also increase operational efficiency and customer convenience as a direct result of providing elevator access to the station. In addition to structural repairs, safety and security improvements, and new headhouse entrances, this project will also see the installation of permanent artwork commissioned through the SEPTA Art in Transit program.
So ISEPTAPHILLYers, the future is here. We’re rebuilding it, and we can’t wait to share our progress with you.
In the meantime, as it unfolds, be sure to check back on our contest page for more chances to win a TrailPass or a Ride It t-shirt, and as always, what new Perks a SEPTA Pass might get you!
