Some Regional Rail Riders Frustrated By Delays, Others Have No Problems
Photo by Jacqueline Larma/AP
You may have noticed it this morning.
SEPTA announced Monday that 120 Regional Rail cars — a third of its fleet — were taken out of service after a structural defect was discovered. About 13,000 seats were removed, leaving between 30 percent and 50 percent fewer seats on individual lines. Most weekday Regional Rail trains are now operating on modified Saturday schedules.
Basically, delays and packed cars (with passengers standing shoulder-to-shoulder) were to be expected during this morning’s commute, and you can continue to anticipate similar issues in the coming weeks.
Enraged commuters took to Twitter to vent.
#BREAKING: @SEPTA starts skipping stations as commuters pack trains: https://t.co/SyXjkVaOiH @BrianXMcCrone pic.twitter.com/YPhu7Cu312
— NBC10 Philadelphia (@NBCPhiladelphia) July 5, 2016
When you have to leave an hour early to get to work and stay at work an extra hour to get home. That's SEPTA.
— LaMichael Prime (@LaMikePrime19) July 5, 2016
Do you think @septa is going to pay me back for all the work I miss due to their trains being late?
— Lauren (@laurenaliza) July 5, 2016
The soda tax came too late to save the SEPTA rail cars from cracking under the strain of our fat asses.
— Jim (@jgrammond) July 5, 2016
https://twitter.com/leez_inthetrap/status/750324802045476864
Anyone live around @SEPTA_WTR West Trenton that commutes into Philly want to carpool and split parking?!? #septa #RRFail
— Maslow (@dreslerc) July 5, 2016
Me as I read how SEPTA is screwing up commutes in Philly, and sort of being glad I don't have to deal with that. pic.twitter.com/j0yvqu6FT5
— Stephanie Morgan (@Steph_Morgan_0) July 5, 2016
A few commuters reported having perfectly fine journeys this morning. Others said they’d rather get to work late than not at all, assuming SEPTA prevented a disaster in discovering the defect and putting the cars out of service.
I understand the frustration with @Septa but I would rather arrive late than not arrive at all because of a derailment #Septa #PHLCommute
— HamelsFan0816 (@HamelsFan0816) July 5, 2016
Looking for voices of reason within all the @SEPTA hate on here right now. What's the alternative? A derailment? #SEPTA
— Martin Evans (@MartEvans) July 5, 2016
Plenty of room in a multi-car train. Passengers at next stops are getting on. Sun is out !!! @FOX29philly pic.twitter.com/nhmJEjpZFC
— Jeff Cole (@JeffColeFox29) July 5, 2016
But tomorrow will be the true test, as many likely stayed home from work today following July 4th.
SEPTA is currently working out refunds for ticket-holders who waited for more than 15 minutes for service.
There are plans being put in place for refunds. Please hold onto your pass/tickets & check the website for updates. ^EN
— SEPTA_SOCIAL (@SEPTA_SOCIAL) July 5, 2016
Despite some tweets, including one from SEPTA, Amtrak is not currently accepting SEPTA tickets.
SEPTA passes accepted on Amtrak from now on at Exton or just for this specific incident?
— Pete (@PeterChim) July 5, 2016
May want to check out the tweet from @SEPTA_SOCIAL https://t.co/opm7g9IZ1i
— Pete (@PeterChim) July 5, 2016
Follow @ClaireSasko on Twitter.
