Arborway fan, an argument some posters made in
Route 78: New bus route - Cornwells to 30th St. Express
http://railroad.net/forums/viewtopic.ph ... s&start=75" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
was that SEPTA should have run a train instead of a bus for its pre and post rail express bus experiment. In this case I argued that the passengers on this bus formerly drove both ways, and now would take the bus one way and the train the other way.
NH2060 wrote:connartist88h wrote:Has there been any consideration of single-track overnight operations?
The only problem I see with this is people running down to catch their train on one platform (i.e. "OUTBOUND TO RIVERSIDE") not knowing that the other platform (i.e. "INBOUND TO LECHMERE") is where they need to be to get onboard until the train comes in; especially at stations that don't have automated announcements and/or electronic information boards. This could be even more problematic for those who have "had a few too many"
If the T were to post large message boards at the entrances to each station stating something like "ATTENTION WEEKEND RIDERS: AFTER 12:30AM ALL NIGHT OWL SERVICE TRAINS WILL USE THE ___________ PLATFORM" then there's a lower risk for confusion.
I've seen NJT run wrong rail on lines with hour or worse headways and have no notice, even at stations with electronic signs and sound systems. One memorable time for me was Mt Arlington 8:47am weekday, the next train's 12:20pm. I was trainwatching, so platform didn't matter much to me, the sole real passenger had to scramble downstairs, under and back up when he realized the inbound train was on the outbound track.
CRail wrote:
Systems which run 24/7 cannot do so without ever having a disruption. Things have to be maintained. I'm not sure how other systems handle that but I'm sure they have to shut down some time. The MBTA doesn't want to have regular service shutdowns or alterations to the public schedule (and rightfully so!), so they schedule the shut down nightly.
Philadelphia's Green line once had 24 hour service on all 5 of its branches, cut back to only 3 of its branches decades ago. When I was a rider they scheduled regular maintenance shutdowns 1 night each week, had signs that said something like "Subway surface does not operate in subway Mon mornings 1am to 6am. When blue light is flashing use Market St subway to 40th St for diversion". They have also installed pretty heavy gates at all the entrances.
I'll have to pay attention and see what maintenance shutdowns they have nowadays, but I bet it's something similar.