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Delaware Valley Rail Passenger Vol 11 No 09
The Delaware Valley Rail Passenger
Electronic Edition
September 1993
Vol. XI, No. 9
Published by the Delaware Valley Association of Railroad Passengers in the
interest of continued, improved, and expanded rail service for the present and
potential railroad and rail transit passengers of southeastern Pennsylvania,
southern New Jersey, and nearby areas.
The Electronic Edition is posted as a service to the net community by DVARP.
Your comments are welcome; send them to the address below. We hope you'll
consider joining DVARP by filling out the coupon below.
For more information about DVARP and good rail service, please contact us:
P.O. Box 7505, Philadelphia, PA 19101
voicemail: 215-222-3373 e-mail <iekp898@tjuvm.tju.edu>
Schedule Change Alert: New SEPTA commuter rail schedules effective September
7 bring improved peak-hour service for post-RailWorks(R) era!-see page 4
DVARP Membership Coupon
Yes, I want to support improved passenger train service in our region!
Here are my DVARP membership dues for 1993!
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Please choose a membership category below, enclose check and mail to:
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( ) Regular: $15.00 ( ) Family: $20.00 ( ) Supporting: $25.00
( ) Sustaining: $50.00 ( ) Patron: $75.00 ( ) Benefactor: $100.00
( ) Introductory rate-new members only: $10.00
Inside The Delaware Valley Rail Passenger...
1 SEPTA Board bows to Harrisburg pressure, postpones MFSE car contract.
2 Editorial: 'RiderWorks'
3 RailWorks Roundup: Reopening plans, service guarantee extended.
4 On the Railroad Lines: New schedules will speed service on ex-Reading.
7 Trolley celebration promises to be a huge and fascinating experience.
8 DVARP Commuter Rail Committee issues off-peak speed-up plan.
9 SEPTA Board OKs purchase of 1234 Market building.
10 South Jersey Update: DVARP surveys Mt. Holly-Moorestown route.
13 Amtrak issues ICE Metroliner schedule,
directory of rail excursions to see fall colors.
14 Dates of Interest: CETC tour before this month's meeting,
NJT guest coming in October.
15 Up and Down the Corridor, DVARP Directory.
DVARP President: Chuck Bode Newsletter Editor: Matthew Mitchell
for other officers and committee chairs, see page 15
entire contents copyright (C) 1993 DVARP, except photos (C) 1993 credited
photographers
Opinions expressed in The Delaware Valley Rail Passenger are not necessarily
those of DVARP or its members. We welcome your comments: call 215-222-3373
**SEPTA Board Double Damned... Passengers Sweat It Out by Tom Borawski
The SEPTA Board received pressure in a new direction last month as New York
Governor Mario Cuomo threatened to blacklist Pennsylvania firms from New York
State government contracts if ABB Traction Corp. was not awarded the $300
million Market-Frankford car contract. The Board continued to receive threats
from Western Pennsylvania lawmakers pushing Pittsburgh-based AEG
Westinghouse's bid and warning of "trouble in Harrisburg" if ABB wins, leading
to a strained atmosphere at the special Board meeting called August 24 to
consider the contract.
The SEPTA Board vote means three-decade-old cars will continue to ply the
rails of the Frankford El. file photo
The stereophonic threats led the Board to throw the whole issue into the lap
of yet another consultant to determine the eligibility of the bidders. The
consultant study is to last a maximum of 80 days. The motion to seek the new
study was made by Board member James Schwartzman (Senate appointee). The
consultant is to be approved by Chairman Tom Hayward (Delaware Co.) with input
from other Board members. It is unclear if the selection of the consultant
might add further delay on top of the 80 day study period. The contractors,
afraid that to say no might be to lose the contract, have extended the
validity of their bids for 90 days.
The attempt to pass the buck to an outsider came a week after the Board failed
to get a majority vote either to award the contract to ABB or to reject ABB's
bid, and six months after the bid opening. Only Edmund Jones (Delaware Co.),
Jettie Newkirk (Philadelphia), Andy Warren (Bucks), and Franklin Wood (Bucks)
opposed the delay.
Both SEPTA's own staff and a $70,000 consultant study have determined that ABB
was the lowest responsible bidder for the contract. Jones pointed out that
the study done by consulting firm O'Brien Kreitzberg found ABB responsible.
He said if the new study finds all three bidders responsible, "We're right
back then where we are right now....I think that we're spinning wheels for an
unnecessary purpose." He later pointed out that the new study may cost more
than the $210,000 estimate.
Newkirk added, "The time period is more lengthy than I think is reasonable to
ask." Richard Voith attempted to amend the motion to cut the review period
down to 45 days, but it was decided that it might not be possible to complete
the review in the shorter time. Patrick McCarthy (Governor's appointee), who
was attending the meeting by telephone, started to debate Voith's amendment
after it was voted down, demonstrating the unwieldiness of Board member
'telecommuting.'
*Williams's Vote Puzzling
New Board member and State Senator Anthony Hardy Williams (D-Philadelphia),
who took the seat formerly occupied by FTA Administrator Gordon Linton, packed
the audience with constituents, presumably to pressure his fellow board
members to vote against any delay.
Williams said, "The most compelling pressure we should feel frankly are the
people who sit in that audience....The people who put their kids on that El
line every day. That's the pressure that should be driving us....But up to
this point I have to question how responsible we are being with regard to what
we're doing to other people's lives." He added, "I have to temper what we're
doing here. It's not a compromise for consensus. Frankly, it's a move to
seek other areas of cover."
Shortly after Williams spoke, the board voted on the 80 day delay. The motion
passed with 9 affirmative votes-including the same Anthony Hardy Williams who
just finished preaching to the board about "other people's lives." Warren was
flabbergasted by Williams's pro-delay vote. He said, "I am confounded by the
impassioned plea and then the vote to delay for up to three months. I don't
follow his logic...."
*Meeting taped by DVARP: An audio tape of the SEPTA Board meeting of August
24 is available; send $5.00 duplicating and postage cost to DVARP for a copy.
Members have suggested that we add an editorial page to the DVRP. The
following is the first in a series of opinion pieces which will run in this
space for the rest of the year. If response to this new feature is positive,
we'll make it a permanent part of the newsletter.-MDM
**From the Editor's Seat:
_RiderWorks_
Recovering Lost Passengers
The RailWorks(R) megaproject is over, and taken solely as a construction
project, it has been an unqualified success. However, as predicted by DVARP
over two years ago, the disruption to Reading-side commuter rail service has
caused a dramatic decline in SEPTA ridership, a decline which threatens the
very existence of the entire service.
We dangled over the precipice last fall, when SEPTA nearly fell into the death
spiral of service cuts and declining ridership. DVARP and dozens of others
demanded an end to business-as-usual at SEPTA. (see Sep. 92 DVRP) Could we be
at the dawn of a new era? A few recent reports actually sound promising.
Some express service is being restored and the service guarantee program is
being extended to the entire railroad. The trend must continue if SEPTA is to
survive.
Rebuilding the human infrastructure of SEPTA's passenger base must be given
the same high priority as rebuilding bridges and viaducts. To fit this into
SEPTA's 'big-project' mentality, let's call it 'RiderWorks.'
Like the construction project was made up of many small elements such as
bridge rebuilding, track maintenance, and signal upgrading, the 'RiderWorks'
project ought to include schedule upgrading, courtesy maintenance, and
reliability rebuilding. Just as RailWorks planners recognized the need to
make ticket agents and conductors part of the team, 'RiderWorks' must
encompass all of SEPTA, especially the people who do not have direct customer
contact.
We've chronicled here previously the rebirth of SEPTA's marketing function.
Rich DiLullo has had some good ideas, and equally important, is listening to
the ideas of SEPTA's supporters like DVARP. Still, as we've said here many
times before, the best laid marketing plan is useless if the quality of the
service is bad enough to keep new customers from coming back. That's why
'RiderWorks' must be everybody's job!
*Award the Contract Now!
The decision by the SEPTA Board to seek yet another consultant to evaluate the
companies seeking the Market-Frankford car contract is a disservice to the
riding and tax-paying public. Its hard to construe their action as anything
other than a vain search for a so-called 'independent' consultant who will say
what the Board wants it to say, thus lending a false aura of rationality to
their political motives.
SEPTA is a transportation agency, not a patronage agency or a pork agency.
The ABB bid should be accepted immediately. I'll have more to say about this
and the politicization of SEPTA next month.-MDM
**RailWorks(R) Roundup
RailWorks(R) is a registered trademark of SEPTA.
*On Time, Under Budget
Louis Gambaccini crowed to the media late last month as RailWorks construction
crews drove to an on-time reopening of the commuter rail trunk line through
North Philadelphia. Gambaccini says that the final cost of the project will
be some $90 million below the budgeted $354 amount, thanks to the slack
construction market.
SEPTA will not be able to spend the remaining funds as it chooses, though.
Most of the money is coming from Federal grants, and SEPTA must apply to the
FTA to get that money back for other projects like Wayne Junction-Glenside
renovations or Frankford El reconstruction.
*Guarantee Extended
With the resumption of normal commuter rail service, SEPTA is extending the
Service Guarantee Program to all of its commuter lines and the Broad St.
Subway.
Passengers can apply for a voucher for a free future trip if SEPTA fails to
deliver them to their destination within 15 minutes of the scheduled time. As
during RailWorks, there will be limitations on the refund program. Refunds
will be issued only for conditions under SEPTA's control. Delays arising from
weather conditions or Amtrak dispatching conflicts, among other circumstances,
are excluded.
Get your refund card now!
Few people actually applied for the refunds during RailWorks, even with the
many problems experienced the first year. DVARP believes that this was caused
by the complexity of the refund application form.
The best way to make sure you receive the refunds you are now entitled to is
to pick up an postage-paid application card now and keep it together with your
train schedule. Cards can be picked up at any RRD ticket office.
When a delay occurs, start filling out the card immediately, while your memory
is still fresh, because it requires your exact departure and arrival times. If
in doubt as to whether a particular incident qualifies for a refund, send the
card anyway; it is SEPTA's responsibility to determine if it qualifies.
*PR Pulling Out All Stops, Making All Stops
The beefed up public relations effort aimed at winning customers back to SEPTA
is making all stops this month. Information fairs were held at downtown
commuter rail stations, and key transit hubs: SEPTA staffers handed out
schedules while bands played to attract attention. "Welcome back" events are
also being held downtown.
Among the more unusual events is a "signature board" at Fern Rock to be
autographed by passengers who were forced to transfer to and from the subway
there for ten months. The board recognizes the sacrifices those people made
and expresses SEPTA's gratitude to them.
For the other group of passengers who were burdened by the rail shutdown,
"Thank you" parties were held for Broad St. Subway riders at Erie and Olney
stations. In North Philadelphia, where a lot of RailWorks money has gone to
placate residents living near the construction zone, an "Unblocked Party" is
being held.
The new Temple University station is to be the site of several events,
including unveiling of a mural painted by neighborhood kids. The formal
ribbon-cutting ceremony will be Sept. 21 from 4:30 to 8:00 pm.
New welded rail for installation during RailWorks photo Tom Borawski
**On the Railroad Lines...
*New-Look Timetables Bring Change
The new look of the SEPTA commuter rail timetables issued this month is more
than skin-deep. The end of RailWorks has brought a speed-up to most Reading-
side trains while some peak service increases are taking effect. Off-peak
service changes are a mix of increases and cuts.
With regards to the timetables, the Public Relations and Schedule Sections of
SEPTA sought out rider opinions and acted on many of the suggestions received.
The two most significant changes are the larger print used in the schedules
themselves and the new Rider Guide to which some of the information previously
printed in the timetables has been relocated. The latter, suggested by DVARP,
will allow information to be presented in an easier-to-use form and may reduce
printing costs in the long run.
The schematic line map on the back of each timetable now includes the station
information previously printed in a separate panel. New symbols are used, and
the new University City station under construction makes its timetable debut
on those maps. A few minor typographical errors cropped up in this first
edition though.
SEPTA is welcoming your comments and suggestions on the new look. Phone 580-
7843, and remember to send a copy of your suggestion to DVARP, so we can
follow up.
**Judge Spikes Amtrak Strike
U.S. District Judge Stanley Harris issued an injunction against a threatened
strike by the United Transportation Union against Amtrak. At issue was work
rules on the LA Metrolink commuter trains which are operated by Amtrak-UTU
wants a conductor from its union on board trains which are moved into
maintenance yards. Had a strike been called, not only would Amtrak's
nationwide trains be affected but also many commuter lines including SEPTA.
Under the provisions of the arcane Railway Labor Act, Amtrak claimed the
dispute was a minor one which must be submitted to mediation before either
party to the dispute could take action. UTU claimed the dispute was
significant enough to permit an immediate strike. The order is set to expire
while this issue is in press.
*R2-No Peak Relief Yet
While new schedules brought the restoration of express service to several
lines, all Wilmington service remains local. One more Saturday evening trip
has been added, while Sunday service goes to an hourly frequency.
A new line-pairing scheme is in effect. While Warminster trains will continue
to run thorough to the Airport as in Fall 1992, many weekend Marcus Hook-
Wilmington trains will operate to and from Norristown. The R2 timetable
incorrectly lists weekday trains as running through to Norristown; they
terminate at Roberts Yard.
*R3-Media Rail Project Means Weekend Bus
A major track project is beginning on the Media-Elwyn line; SEPTA has elected
to cancel all weekend train service during the project and operate shuttle
buses to Center City. The buses will be a half-hour slower than regular train
service. Weekday peak service will be unaffected, while mid-day trains will
run on a new schedule which will not link to West Trenton.
*West Trenton Speedup
SEPTA Rail Planning manager Harry Garforth predicts that riders will be
pleased by his improvements in the post-RailWorks West Trenton schedule. Peak
hour trains will be 4 to 7 minutes faster, while off-peak speedups are as much
as 9 minutes. The second outbound express has also been restored, but the
counterproductive cuts in weekend service hours are not yet reversed.
*R5-Update not yet available
SEPTA had not yet issued the new R5 timetable as of press time.
*R6-Name That Train!
SEPTA's first named train is "The Schuylkill Flyer," the restored express
train to and from Norristown. Carded for 39 minutes, it is the fastest
service on the line since the one-stop DeKalb St-Reading Terminal runs of
through trains from Reading. The timing of the Flyer's departure is also
improved. Off-peak trains are 5 to 6 minutes faster, and an evening round trip
is added.
A faster turnaround will allow the first inbound Cynwyd train to run earlier.
*And On The Seventh Day...
Upgrading of grade crossing equipment between Shawmont and Spring Mill has
been completed. A SEPTA crew was working on the River Road crossing on Sunday
Aug. 15th. New tie installation and ballast renewal has been done in the
vicinity of Conshohocken, but trackwork will continue during the fall because
all available forces were working on the RailWorks project.
*Stony Creek Accident
A 63 year old North Wales man crashed his car into the side of an 8 car
freight train at the Hancock St. crossing of the recently restored Stony Creek
line August 5th. Witnesses said the train followed safety procedures and was
blowing its horn when the accident took place. The entire line is supposed to
have gates installed this month.
*R7-New Sunday Pairing
Reworking of the R7 Trenton schedule may be waiting for October, to coordinate
with Amtrak and NJ Transit.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the line, Sunday Trenton trains will alternate
their through-run destinations between Chestnut Hill East and Fox Chase. Both
lines will get served every two hours, a reduction for Chestnut Hill. Some
offsetting good news is that all Chestnut Hill East trains are to be 3 to 4
minutes faster, and an extra trip has been added to each rush hour schedule.
*Easier NYC Tickets
NJ Transit has installed one of its own ticket machines next to the SEPTA
machines at 30th Street. Programmed to sell tickets form Trenton to other New
Jersey points and New York City, it will allow you to skip the mad dash up to
the Trenton ticket counter and the worrying about missing your connection. So
use it!
*R8-Half-Hourly Service Kept
The fall timetable retains the half-hourly off-peak frequency to Chestnut Hill
West which was in effect during RailWorks. However, the early and late trains
which had been added for RailWorks were taken off.
Half of the weekday Chestnut Hill trains are now skipping the little-used
Westmoreland and North Philadelphia stops. This may allow trains to proceed
onto the Corridor before an Amtrak conflict forces them to hold. However,
there is no time savings reflected in the schedule. All trains will now treat
Highland as a flag stop.
Track conditions on the Chestnut Hill West continue to deteriorate. Ride
quality is worse, while many trains will be slower. Bridge abutments are
being repaired at Mt. Pleasant Ave. and at Mascher St.
Fox Chase trains will be a little faster now that RailWorks is over. An
additional train has been added to each peak and reverse peak schedule, the
last Saturday night round trip has been cut.
*Regensburger Cries Foul
A "white paper" issued by Newtown line bidder Robert Regensburger alleges
improprieties on the part of virtually everyone involved in the Newtown line
privatization, especially Bucks County and SEPTA. The most serious of the
allegations holds that Bucks County has promised to guarantee loans to rival
bidder Rodney Fisk without a public vote or an open process. All kinds of
collusion is alleged.
Regensburger also alleges that a member of SEPTA's Planning and Development
staff has circumvented procurement rules to leak information to Fisk.
Regensburger feels that something about Fisk's desire to operate service to
both Newtown and Quakertown is somehow suspect, and is adamant that Fisk's
plan will fail. He concludes that the whole privatization should be called
off rather than award the contract to Fisk.
**100- N-5s Coming in Slowly
Though five new cars are on the property, they aren't all ready for service/
SEPTA is not yet able to put the new off-peak schedule into effect. Haverford
Township officials sponsored excursions on the revitalized line for their
constituents. Hopes are that the ride on the new cars will encourage township
residents to use SEPTA.
*Red Arrow Report: SEPTA is again seeking bids for rental of retail space in
69th St. Terminal
**CTD-Subway Service Increases
The new schedule for the Broad St. Subway ends the expanded service to carry
the RailWorks load, but it will be an improvement over last winter's schedule.
Ridge Ave. trains will continue to run from Fern Rock, as expresses with a
North Philadelphia stop on weekdays and as locals Saturday. Weekday express
service hours will be expanded.
On the Market-Frankford El, weekday base service will be increased from every
8 minutes to every 6 minutes.
Thomas Collins of SEPTA's Schedule Section also informs us that bus service
increases will go into effect on selected City routes this month. A program
of highlighting train connections in bus schedules is beginning with Routes 19
& 84 which feed the R7 train in the Northeast.
**KARP Seeks Harrisburg Improvements
A study performed by the DVRPC for PennDOT puts a $20 million price tag on
rehabilitating the Harrisburg line. If the infrastructure repairs are
completed, trains would be able to run at 90 mph between Paoli and Lancaster,
and 70 mph between Lancaster and Harrisburg. The study recommends that the
electrification be repaired and retained; to do nothing means the elec-
trification will have to be scrapped.
The study echoed earlier reports by transportation planner Ed Tennyson and by
DVARP that said that Philadelphia-Harrisburg should be operated as a commuter
rather than intercity service. That means shorter and more frequent trains.
If service is increased to ten trips per day, ridership would more than double
to 750,000 passengers per year, possibly a million. Travel demand increases
coupled with deterioration of the rail service has forced PennDOT to plan a
costly expansion of US Route 30.
Keystone Association of Railroad Passengers (KARP) says that commuter rail
service to the capital would be a benefit to the Commonwealth, which provides
free parking to 24,000 of its employees. More than 3500 of them park in
commercial lots; when the cost of Commonwealth-owned lots is added, over $5
million is spent by state government alone to subsidize the car habit.
KARP spokesman Larry Joyce quoted an EPA report which says "Transportation
agencies-accustomed to doling out funds for highway and road projects-make
decisions on CMAQ [congestion management and air quality] projects based on
biases towards traffic flow improvements such as signalization projects and
left turn lanes.... [The] project planning & selection process results in short-
term highway-specific projects garnering the bulk of CMAQ funding, while
longer-term air quality improvements and transit strategies see token
representation in the CMAQ program."
Joyce hopes that PennDOT or a local transportation authority will acquire the
Cumberland Valley RR bridge over the Susquehanna and the line from Harrisburg
to Carlisle, a track connecting the bridge to the Conrail Enola branch to
York. Joyce also cited the need for better transit coordination in
Harrisburg, for convenience that will attract passengers. But these projects
are not in the Harrisburg Area Transportation Study TIP.
**Trolleyfest is Coming! by Matthew Mitchell
After years of disregarding the value of streetcar service to the quality of
life in Philadelphia, SEPTA has made an abrupt about-face and is to be a
leading partner in the 1993 Trolleyfest, a celebration of both old and new
light rail transit.
Dozens of activities are scheduled for the weekend of October 2-3, including
city and suburban trolley excursions, shop tours, live & video displays, and
entertainment. A monument commemorating the centennial of electric streetcar
service will be unveiled, and one of SEPTA's remaining PCCs will be sold at
auction.
*Excursions on Tap
SEPTA has come up with an imaginative and comprehensive program of trolley
excursions for the festival, to highlight the best things about rail travel.
A special route will be operated over Route 15 and the Route 10 diversion
route from Fairmount to the University of Pennsylvania via the Zoo. It is
expected that three generations of trolleys will be in service: the 1981 LRVs,
PCC cars from the 40s, and even an old 'Peter Witt' car. Elsewhere in the
City, the Penn's Landing Trolley will be running its historic cars while SEPTA
will extend its Chestnut Hill Trolley to Broad and Erie. Self-guided subway-
surface tours will cover the 'streetcar suburbs' of West Philadelphia.
The new N-5 cars will be showcased on the Norristown High-Speed Line with the
theme "Riding into the future," while expert narrators will accompany Media
line excursions. No word yet on whether any old suburban cars will be on
static display. A special weekend pass will be your ticket to these events,
good on all SEPTA bus and rail routes and the Penn's Landing Trolley.
*Go behind the scenes
You will have a rare chance to see the shops that keep our trolley service
rolling. The artisans of the NHSL 'Bullet Shop' will be demonstrating their
rare skills at an open house while Elmwood and Woodland Shops in the city will
also have open days. These tours will be fascinating even to people who aren't
transit enthusiasts!
As we expected, Kim Heinle has given a jump-start to SEPTA's Light Rail
Division since he was transferred to the post of Chief Officer-Light Rail last
fall. (see October 92 DVRP) He probably knows SEPTA must show a commitment to
restoring the streetcar lines it abandoned in the past decade if it expects to
regain support from communities used to broken SEPTA promises. With a
successful Festival, Heinle could go a long way towards healing those wounds.
It will remain to be seen if Heinle can turn around an institutional culture
within SEPTA which many experts say is biased against rail.
Artists rendering of the Trolley Centennial Monument
courtesy Philadelphia Trolley Coalition
An unprecedented team effort is joining SEPTA to put on this event: the
Philadelphia Trolley Coalition, Buckingham Valley Trolley Association, City of
Philadelphia, and the Convention and Visitors' Bureau are among the sponsors.
**Streamline Off-Peak RRD Service by John Pawson
Doylestown and Warminster would be just 64 and 40 minutes respectively from
Penn Center Suburban Station if the off-peak service changes suggested by
DVARP are put into effect by SEPTA's Railroad Division. The idea is to
attract passengers back to the rails following the multiple service
disruptions of the past two years by making the service faster, more reliable,
and more conveniently scheduled. Improving crew productivity by ten percent
also would help secure the future of the Regional Rail service within SEPTA.
Most lines would see a significant speed-up. The 'Toonerville Trolley' meets
on the Doylestown and Warminster lines would be eliminated, and trains would
run as expresses on the trunk line south of Jenkintown. Those changes would
reduce full-route travel time on those lines by 15 and 13 minutes
respectively. Similar express service would also yield faster trips on the
West Trenton line. Stations on the trunk would be served by twice-hourly
through Airport-Jenkintown locals.
A third factor which would save time and boost on-time performance is the
severing of most Pennsy-Reading through routings. Because most crews would
not change downtown and because passengers would only be getting on or off
(not both), the trains' stops could be shorter and their passage through
Center City more orderly. Most outbound trains would start their runs near
Center City, ending the frustrating waits for trains tied up somewhere on
Amtrak or in the northern suburbs. Taking away the crutch of blaming someone
else when trains are delayed might force SEPTA to take action to increase
service reliability.
Severing through-routing also allows scheduling to better meet customers'
needs. On most lines, trains would arrive downtown in time for passengers to
reach meetings and other events which so typically start on the hour.
Departure times similarly would be concentrated. This change of scheduling,
when applied to the Norristown line, permits for the first time a universal
train/bus transfer at Norristown Transportation Center.
DVARP will send a copy of its Off-Peak Schedule Improvement Plan to anyone
requesting it. (phone 215-222-3373, message box 2) Your speaking up,
insisting on improvements like this is necessary to overcome institutional
interia and get the plan acted on, so SEPTA can rebuild its ridership base.
News compiled by Matthew Mitchell and correspondents: Howard Bender, Chuck
Bode, Tom Borawski, Larry Joyce, Bob Machler, Don Nigro, John Pawson, Joel
Spivak.
Additional news from BITNET, Cinders, NJ-ARP, Philadelphia Daily News,
Philadelphia Inquirer, Railfan & Railroad, Railpace, Rollsign, USENET.
**Penjerdel Controversy Grows
More groups are protesting the unauthorized use of their names by the
Penjerdel Council's protest of employer trip reduction regulations. (see
August DVRP) The US Navy says Penjerdel's implcation that the Philadelphia
Navy Base supports Penjerdel is illegal, while others are considering legal
action. DVARP sent a letter to Pennjerdel demanding a public retraction.
**Blue Route Nearing Capacity
The latest evidence that building more roads won't ease traffic congestion is
the Blue Route. PennDOT announced that the Delaware County section of I-476
is at a daily volume of 71,500 vehicles-near the 80,000 daily capacity. The
road is 20 years ahead of schedule in reaching this level.
**Proposed Law Boosts PA Rail
House Bill 344 provides for enhanced Commonwealth support of freight rail ser-
vice as a means of economic development, and a way to sustain rail service to
shippers. A Rail Freight Advisory Committee is formed which will have the
power to make grants and loans to freight carriers.
A Pennsylvania Railroad Authority is also to be created to sell bonds and
acquire rolling stock for Amtrak and freight services. It will not be allowed
to purchase right of way. The apparent goal of the Authority is a new Amtrak
service from New York to Harrisburg via Allentown and Reading., but funds for
the trains were lined out from the state budget. (Aug. DVRP)
**Operation Scram: Send Us Rail Stories
On November 23, 1954, Mayor Clark led an evacuation of Center City in a
simulated response to a Soviet nuclear attack. Code named "Operation Scram,"
over 25,000 workers participated.
If you were involved in the transportation planning for this exercise or were
a participant, send us your stories. Your Scram stories will be printed in an
upcoming DVRP. -TB
**1234 = Headquarters
At its regular meeting in August, the Board give its approval to the
resurrected deal for purchase of the PSFS Building at 1234 Market St. and
consolidation of SEPTA offices there. Brickstone Properties, who had brokered
the original deal before the FDIC got cold feet, was the successful bidder for
the building in FDIC's sale. Brickstone will renovate the property to SEPTA's
specifications and turn it over to the Redevelopment Authority of Philadelphia
who will manage it for SEPTA and the remaining other tenants. SEPTA will pay
$60.5 million, apparently to be funded from a bond issue.
**Steamed RROC
The Inquirer reports that real estate developer Ronald Rubin has cut off air
conditioning to the Regional Rail Operations Center. Rubin is legally allowed
to cut off the AC due to a loophole in the lease. The article speculates that
Rubin is retaliating against SEPTA for deciding against his building in the
headquarters search. The paper quotes Board member Andrew Warren: "It is a
fact that since the negotiations ended, it has been more difficult to get
basic services...."
The proposal for SEPTA's new headquarters contains the clause: "Tenant shall
have the ability to monitor and override building HVAC [Heating, ventilation,
& air conditioning] systems of its space on a floor-by-floor basis during
hours other than normal working hours."
*SEPTA Hires Lobby Firm
The Board approved a contract with the firm of Peter A. Peyser, Associates to
represent the Authority in Harrisburg. May the Force be with them.
*Check Your Consent Calendars
Former SEPTA board member and FTA head Brian W. Clymer has been appointed
President of Railway Systems Design Inc., of Media, PA. A name to watch for.
*Correction: The home county of SEPTA Board member Stewart Cades was
misreported in last month's DVRP. He is from Montgomery County.
**NJT Adds Commuter Rail To BurlCo Study by Donald Nigro
New Jersey Transit has added commuter rail to the list of modes under
consideration for transit expansion in Burlington County. James
Schwarzwalder, NJT's area studies manager, outlined this and other recent
information on the Burlington/Gloucester initiative for representatives of
DVARP and NJARP. The meeting was held at New Jersey DOT's headquarters in
Trenton on August 9.
The additional route under study would permit a one-seat ride to downtown
Philadelphia via the Delair Bridge with stops at 30th Street, Suburban and
Market East Stations. DVARP and NJARP had requested previously that such a
mode-route combination be added to the study. The electrified service under
consideration would offer peak service at twenty minute intervals with off-
peak service every hour.
The final report (April 1993) of the initial study examined two lengths of
service on the Pemberton Industrial Track in Burlington County. The "full
length" option extends to Mount Holly; the "minimum length" service terminates
at Mount Laurel. Both lengths go through Moorestown; town officials have
repeatedly threatened to obstruct any service using this route.
Narrow right-of-way down Third Street in Moorestown
all photos: Donald Nigro
In response to Moorestown's resistance, NJT has shortened the "minimum length"
of all modes to a location immediately west of Moorestown. Given Moorestown's
staunch resistance, NJT is currently examining commuter rail only as far as
this point. Schwarzwalder indicated that NJT will "go where we're wanted."
It is hoped that communities desiring effective service east of Moorestown
will encourage the municipality of Moorestown to see the benefits of such
service for the whole county.
The width of the right of way in Moorestown is generally 50 feet. However,
for three blocks between Washington Ave. and Chester Ave. along Third St.,
parts of the right of way are only 15 feet wide with homes on both sides.
Three freight trains per week travel this line during the daytime. The
right-of-way once had many passenger and freight trains on it at all hours of
the day and night. If a double track LRT or modified-PATCO were planned with
ten minute headways, many of the properties along the three block segment of
Third St. would have to be bought up.
Such an acquisition would not be unusual. PATCO had to acquire more than 250
properties to construct the its line on the former railroad right of way from
Camden to Lindenwold. With a peak headway of 20 minutes, commuter rail may be
able to operate on a single track, thereby requiring fewer property
acquisitions than a double tracked LRT or modified-PATCO line.
There is some low-income housing on the narrow three block segment of Third
Street. Moorestown would be required by law to relocate the low-income
housing if the rail line causes them to be condemned. A DVARP source has
indicated that Moorestown's disdain for any new low-income housing is one of
the foremost reasons for its opposition to the passenger rail service.
Currently, NJT has identified three station sites in New Jersey for the
commuter rail option, two of which are already owned by the authority. NJT
owns a large property at the Route 537 interchange with Route 73 in Maple
Shade. The land is an ideal location and size for a park & ride station. An
unused bus garage is presently on that site.
The second station would be in downtown Maple Shade at the historic station on
Fork Landing Road. NJT does not own this property, but revitalizing the
property to its original use would not be difficult. The site would serve
mostly as a community walk-in station with a minimal amount of parking.
The third station would be in Pennsauken at a NJT-owned triangle-shaped
property outlined by the Atlantic City Rail Line, the Pemberton Industrial
Track and the Delair Cut-off. Judging by the size of the property and its
surroundings, DVARP believes the station would be limited to mostly community
walk-in use with little room for parking. There is a large adjacent athletic
field that could be acquired for parking, but that would be unlikely. It was
unclear whether this station would be served additionally by NJT's Atlantic
City Line trains.
Pennsauken might not give up this ballfield...
So that more riders could be drawn from Delair, Palmyra, Cinnaminson and
Willingboro, NJT should consider a park and ride station at Westfield Avenue
in Pennsauken. With just the three stations presently under consideration, it
appears that the station near Route 73 would be the only one to offer
substantial park and ride capacity.
...but this factory would make a good park & ride station
There is an abundance of unused land at the Westfield Avenue rail crossing.
An abandoned factory with two large parking lots is located at the site, and
the property has been up for sale for the past two years. Westfield Avenue is
accessed directly and conveniently from Route 130. Traffic flow is controlled
by a light. The one-third mile between the intersection and the rail crossing
is a high capacity road. A Westfield Avenue station could serve as a
convenient park and ride for both the Burlington County and the Atlantic City
trains.
NJT shared new information with DVARP regarding the LRT option also under
consideration. In addition to providing a transfer at Camden Transportation
Center for the Lindenwold Line, the LRT line(s) would travel down Mickle Blvd.
to Camden's waterfront. The Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA), PATCO's
parent entity, is considering a new headquarters site at the waterfront and is
interested in seeing further development there.
The April 1993 report projected LRT to carry 40% fewer riders than modified-
PATCO. This is because the transfer and its related time costs discourages
Philadelphia bound riders. 87% of the Lindenwold Line riders travel from
southern New Jersey directly to Philadelphia; the same is expected with a one-
seat modified PATCO ride from Burlington or Gloucester Counties. In an
attempt to draw more Philadelphia-bound riders into the study's model, NJT is
reviewing the impact of increasing the rush hour LRT frequency from the six
consists an hour examined in the initial study. This may increase the
ridership estimates but will also have a significant impact on operating
costs. NJT for the first time will also be considering riders' safety
perceptions and their impact on ridership estimates. These perceptions could
have a major impact on estimates, particularly for those passengers requiring
a transfer, especially at off-peak hours in downtown Camden.
PATCO now asserts that the Lindenwold Line as a closed system (no merging of
new lines from the south or north) with modifications can operate at two
minute headways, eight cars per train. They still remain reluctant, however,
about a three branch PATCO system because of the merging hassles.
Nevertheless, the April 1993 report shows that a two-branch PATCO system is
unquestionably feasible.
The proposed Maple Shade station site
NJT is forming an advisory board to help the authority review the upcoming
options and issues. Michael D. DeCicco, Regional Manager for the NJT's Office
of Urban & Community Relations, said that DVARP/ NJARP will be offered a seat
on the board.
South Jersey DVARP members are encouraged to let DVARP officers and local
public officials know whether they prefer a one-seat ride either to Camden's
waterfront or to Center City Philadelphia. Regardless of the rail mode, we
need to encourage our local officials to press for "full length" service in
Gloucester County to Glassboro and "full length" service in Burlington County
to Mount Holly.
**Committee Presses Ocean City
The following letter appeared last month in the Sentinel-Ledger:
To the Editor:
It is with some dismay that I read an article, in your edition of June 11th,
about the paving of Haven Avenue. It refers to the railroad tracks as
"obsolete." Obsolete, by definition, means not only old, but also
undesirable. This is consistent with the anti-rail bias found in Ocean City.
It is also unfortunate considering the adverse impact created by motor
vehicles. As the prospects for Ninth Street causeway renovation and possible
construction of a fifth motor vehicle bridge become ever greater, it might be
worthy to examine what Ocean City has lost. A rail service, correctly
structured and implemented, would have provided additional mobility at a
lesser cost, relief for parking, and a reduction in pollution.
The beaches of Ocean City were restored at great expense to the New Jersey
taxpayers. Ocean City has continuously objected to restoration of passenger
rail service, which would make it easier for some of these same taxpayers to
travel to the beaches. Passenger rail has been viewed as a valuable civic
asset in many regions throughout the country during the last ten years. (In
Los Angeles, $900 million was spent to restore a rail service that was
abandoned in 1961.) Ocean City ignores this trend with the removal of
trackage on Haven Avenue. The lack of rail service will be a detriment to
Ocean City's future. The relief to Haven Avenue residents is marginal at best
when compared with the transportation needs of the region as a whole.
[Signed] William A. Ritzler
South Jersey Committee
Delaware Valley Association of Railroad Passengers
**Light Rail Option for Newark-Elizabeth
NJ-ARP has proposed a new routing for the Newark-Elizabeth light rail project.
When NJT discarded a monorail option in favor of light rail, the versatility
of light rail made an on-street routing on Broad St. possible. Eliminating
the proposed elevated guideway in Newark is expected to save some $100-200
million. NJT says a portion of that savings could be used to extend the line
south to Cranford and north to Nutley and Clifton using former freight tracks.
The new route would also allow trolleys to use a long-forgotten tunnel into
Penn Station. That would not only cut traffic interference with the LRVs but
also improve the connectivity of the system by making Penn Station rather than
Orange St. the system hub.
*NJT Phillies Special
This year's final baseball train will be run from South Jersey to Vet Stadium
on Sept. 26th for the Phillies-Atlanta Braves game. For reservations phone
NJT at 16093437162. The cost of $20 includes round-trip rail fare, game
ticket and prizes.
**ICE Metroliner Schedule
The German ICE train will be on exhibit in Washington Sept 25 and 26 for the
5th anniversary of the Union Station renovations.
Next month, the ICE will operate Metroliner trains 112 and 223, the noon train
out of Washington and the 4:30 express from New York. From November 1 to
December 17, it will operate trains 112 and 123, the 5:00 southbound
Metroliner. On selected Saturdays, October 23, November 6 and 20, and
December 11, you will be able to ride the ICE train as Metroliners 206 and
221, the 9:30 from Washington and the 5:30 from New York. If you want to ride
the ICE for yourself, call Amtrak at 1-800-USA-RAIL for reservations and to
confirm schedules.
*Truck lobby targets Bob Borski
The trucking industry is hitching its desire to expand its profits by
operating bigger and bigger trucks to the proposed NAFTA Free Trade Agreement.
A recent media campaign tried to claim that Rep Bob Borski (D-Philadelphia) is
anti-jobs because of his sponsorship of legislation fixing truck sizes at
present levels. Citizens came to Borski's defense, saying monster trucks en-
danger the safety of ordinary drivers and add millions of dollars to our road
repair bills. A union truck driver made the point that the triple-trailer
rigs that the truck lobby wants nationwide would in fact reduce the number of
drivers needed in over the road service; he added that even if freight shifts
from the clogged highways to intermodal (piggyback) trains, truck drivers will
still be needed to move the trailers from the rail yard to their final
destination.
**Honor Roll
DVARP salutes Robert Harmon, of Columbus, Ohio and Ben Stevens, of Gaines-
ville, Florida. They both completed the DVARP Grand Tour of SEPTA train and
trolley lines while they attended the NMRA Convention in Valley Forge last
month.
Belated thanks are due to John Hay and Donald Nigro, who also staffed the
DVARP table at the convention.
**Fall Foliage Trips
Another beautiful autumn in our region will soon be upon us, and the best way
to both see and preserve nature's beauty is to ride a train. Fall foliage
excursions are the highlight of every tourist railroad's year; below is a list
of of operators in our area and some special trips this fall. Don't forget
you can also do-it-yourself with a trip on some of SEPTA's more scenic lines,
like the R5 Doylestown or the Route 100 Norristown High-Speed Line.-MDM
Stony Creek Ramble II: Oct. 10, leaves 30th St. 9:20, and Norristown 11:00 to
travel to Lansdale up the SEPTA-owned Stony Creek Branch and return to
Philadelphia via the RailWorks detour route, with a run to Chestnut Hill East
and back. For tickets and information call 215-947-5769 evenings from 6 to
10. Sponsored by National Railway Historical Society, Philadelphia Chapter.
United Railway Historical Society trip from Hoboken, NJ to Lackawaxen, PA:
Oct. 16. Info from URHS, W-11 Avon Drive, East Windsor, NJ 08520.
B&O Railroad Museum (Baltimore): special trips Oct. 16, 23. Phone 410-752-
2393 for information.
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania (Strasburg, PA) Railfest '93 trips: Oct. 30-
31 phone 800-TRAIN-50
*Many of the following lines will also be offering autumn leaf trips:
Black River & Western (Ringoes and Lambertville, NJ) 908-782-9600
Blue Mountain & Reading (Hamburg, PA) 215-562-2102
Chadds Ford and Brandywine (Chester County, PA) 215-793-3155
East Broad Top (Orbisonia, PA) 814-447-3011
New Hope & Ivyland (New Hope, PA) 215-862-2332
Steamtown National Historic Site (Scranton, PA) 717-961-2034
Strasburg RR (Strasburg, PA) 717-687-6486
Wanamaker, Kempton and Southern (Kempton, PA) 215-756-6469
Western Maryland Scenic RR (Cumberland, MD) 800-TRAIN-50
Wilmington & Western RR (Wilmington, DE) 302-998-1930
Penn's Landing Trolley (BVTA, Philadelphia) 215-627-0807
Rockhill Trolley Museum (Orbisonia, PA) 814-447-9576
Baltimore Streetcar Museum (Baltimore) 410-547-0264
**Register Now for CETC Tour
DVARP has arranged for a special tour of the Centralized Electrification and
Traffic Control Center, the nerve center of Amtrak's Northeast Corridor, prior
to this month's DVARP General Meeting.
You must pre-register in order to join the tour. Contact Bob Machler
immediately by DVARP voice-mail, 215-222-3373, message box 6. Those who have
registered should meet at 11:00 in front of the Passenger Services Office at
30th Street.
**NJT Rep to Speak on Burlington-Gloucester Corridor Assessment
DVARP's October General Meeting in Collingswood will feature a presentation
from New Jersey Transit on the possibility of restored rail services to
Burlington and Gloucester Counties. The meeting will be held at the
Collingswood Library October 16.
**NJ-ARP to Meet in Princeton
The Annual General Meeting of New Jersey ARP will be October 9 from 10:30 to
4:00 at the Nassau Inn in Princeton. Guest speakers will include Harriet
Parcells of NARP and James Schwartzwalder of NJ Transit. Also on the agenda
are presentation of the Advocate for Rail Transit award and elections. The
registration fee of $25.00 includes a buffet lunch and afternoon coffee.
Contact NJ-ARP at 450 Seventh St, #1E, Hoboken NJ 07030 for more details.
**Train Show Volunteers Wanted
DVARP is planning to have information tables at several upcoming train shows,
to remind members of the public who like trains that they can do quite a lot
to support passenger rail service in their community.
If you'd like to spend some time talking with your neighbors at one of these
shows, call DVARP's Volunteer Coordinator: Betsey Clark, at 215-222-3373,
message box 4.
**Rail Standards Committee
Dr. Ernest Cohen is seeking volunteers who are interested in developing a
white paper on the need for uniform standards in future rail systems. The aim
of this paper is not to propose any standards, but to define the interfaces
for which standards would be desired. People with technical backgrounds are
especially wanted. The project should take about 3 to 4 months. Phone Dr.
Cohen at 215-352-2689 or write to him at 525 Midvale Rd. Upper Darby, PA
19082.
**Dates of Interest
SEPTA on Site (RRD): Thursday mornings: 7:30 to 9:00 am, at Suburban Station
or Market East Station.
SEPTA on Site (Suburban Transit): Wed., Sept. 15, 7:30 to 9:30 am and 3:30 to
5:30 pm at 69th St. Terminal, 7:30 to 9:30 am at Norristown Transportation
Center
DVARP South Jersey Committee: Sat., Sept. 18, 9:00 to 10:15 at 104 Edison
Ave., Collingswood, NJ.
DVARP Tour of Amtrak CETC Facility: Sat., Sept. 18, 11:00 at 30th St.
Station. Registration required, phone 215-222-3373, message box 6 to
register.
DVARP General Meeting: Sat., Sept. 18, 1:00 to 4:00 pm at Temple Univ. Center
City, 1616 Walnut St.
Temple University Station Opening: Tues., Sept. 21, 4:30 to 8:00 pm., 10th
St. and Columbia Ave.
SEPTA Citizen Advisory Committee: Tues., Sept. 21, 5:45 pm at SEPTA Board
Room, 714 Market St.
SEPTA Board Meeting: Thu., Sept. 23, 3:00 at SEPTA Board Room, 714 Market
St., 3rd Floor, Philadelphia
Deadline for October newsletter material: Fri. Sept. 24 to Matthew Mitchell
or in DVARP mailbox.
Trolleyfest '93: Sat. and Sun., Oct. 2-3. See page 6 for more information, or
call DVARP, SEPTA, or Philadelphia Trolley Coalition.
Delmarva Rail Passenger Association: Thu., Oct. 7, 6:30 pm at Stationmaster's
Office, Wilmington Station. info: Doug Andrews, 302-995-6419.
DVARP Transit Committee: Sat., Oct 9, 1:00 at Fern Rock Transportation Center,
upper level waiting area
New Jersey ARP Annual Meeting: Sat., Oct. 9, 10:00 at Nassau Inn, Princeton.
See details above.
DVARP Commuter Rail Committee: Sat., Oct. 9, 12:00 at Chestnut Gourmet, 1121
Chestnut St., Phila.
DVARP General Meeting: Sat., Oct. 16, 1:00 to 4:00 at Collingswood Public
Library, 771 Haddon Ave., Collingswood, NJ. Guest speaker from NJ Transit.
Philadelphia Trolley Coalition: TBA, call Joel Spivak, 755-7717 for time and
place.
Listings based on information provided to DVARP. Contact sponsor to confirm
time & place.
Call 215-222-3373, message box 3, to add your event to this calendar.
**Up and Down the Corridor
News of other Northeastern commuter rail and rail transit services
*'Covered Wagons' to Roll Out
MARC will be buying more rebuilt GP40 locomotives to replace its classic F
and E units and to provide for continuing ridership growth.
*Iron City Info
The Pittsburgh PAT budget maintains fares and service, but assumes that the
Pennsylvania state government will provide full funding. PAT's light rail
service is on the diversion route while work is being done on the transit
tunnel. PAT is suing Siemens-Duewag, maker of its LRVs, over alleged
reliability problems.
*T Time on Boston North Shore?
MBTA is considering rail transit improvements to Lynn, Salem, and Peabody. A
Blue Line branch is possible, but a rider group advocates improved commuter
rail via the third harbor tunnel instead. A third option is an Orange Line
branch via Chelsea. The new Greenbush line is being delayed because of some
local opposition. An environmental alternatives study should show that rail
will cause the least disruption to communities.
MBTA commuter rail is keeping new Sunday service on three south-side lines,
started on an experimental basis last year. On the Red Line, a pair of new
prototype cars are in test service.
*Newark Penn Station Upscales
NJ Transit is expecting to cap off its renovation of.Newark's Penn Station
with an upscale restaurant in a portion of the present waiting area. It's
expected to open sometime in 1994.
*NYC Notes
The TA has proposed a renovation of Times Square subway station (which serves
lines: S,1,2, 3,9,7,N, and R) which will include wheelchair access throughout,
clearer sightlines for better security, and new retail spaces.
Metro-North has finished replacement of catenary poles on the New York segment
of the New Haven line. Concrete ties are being being installed on the Harlem
Line.
Metro-North also released a report recommending that a belt line connecting
the Hudson, Harlem and New Haven lines not be built because only 15 percent of
inter-suburb commuters would use it..
**DVARP Phone & Voice-mail Directory
DVARP main number (voice mail line) 215-222-3373
1 Chuck Bode, President 215-222-3373
5 Tom Borawski, VP-Transportation 215-552-4198
6 Robert H. Machler, VP-Administration 215-222-3373
5 Sharon Shneyer, VP-Public Relations 215-386-2644
3 Matthew Mitchell, Newsletter Editor 215-885-7448
4 Betsey Clark, Volunteer Coordinator 215-222-3373
8 Treasurer 215-222-3373
2 John Pawson, Commuter RR Comm. 215-659-7736 (6 to 9 pm please)
3 Transit Committee 215-222-3373
7 Don Nigro, South Jersey Committee 609-869-0020
Computer e-mail address (internet) iekp898@tjuvm.tju.edu
**Upcoming DVARP Meetings:
Saturday, September 18, 1:00 to 4:00 Temple Univ. Center City,
1616 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Room 302
Please check board in lobby for meeting room change.
Smoking, food, drinks prohibited in meeting room.
Tour of Amtrak's CETC Facility before meeting
see page 14 for details and registration information
*Saturday, October 16, 1:00 to 4:00 Collingswood Public Library
Special presentation by NJ Transit on Burlington-Gloucester Corridor
Assessment
*Saturday, November 20, 12:00 to 3:00 Lansdale Public Library
*Agenda for the September meeting:
1:00 Introductions, agenda, minutes
1:15 Issues requiring immediate action:
Trolley Festival
Other outreach events
2:00 Other issues
Commuter Rail Committee:
RRD service and schedules
Transit Committee:
Market-Frankford cars
Intermodal fares
South Jersey Committee:
Burlington-Gloucester Corridor
Administration:
Incorporation update
By-laws and policies,
Computer and other equipment
New committees
*Committee Meetings:
South Jersey Committee: Sat., Sept. 18, 9:00 at 104 Edison Ave.,
Collingswood, NJ
Transit Committee: Sat., Oct. 2, 1:00 at Fern Rock Trans. Center, upper level
waiting area
Commuter Rail Committee: Sat., Oct. 9, 12:00 at Chestnut Gourmet, 1121
Chestnut St.
