SEPTA BSL Replacement

I was reading this new article and Septa Capital Budget Highlights a replacement for the Broad Street Line Cars as well as MFL M4 and Trolley Replacements but although the BSL cars are in good shape do you think Septa should wait a couple of more years before even getting the B5 for the BSL? Here's the article that mentions it here.

https://www.inquirer.com/transportation ... 40416.html

Silverliner5 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 16, 2024 6:19 pm [A]lthough the BSL cars are in good shape do you think Septa should wait a couple of more years before even getting the B5 for the BSL?

Assuming that the targeted 2030s replacement window holds, the current fleet would be at least a half-century old. If it slips SEPTA could be looking at ~2040. My [admittedly naïve] take is that it might be better to start the replacement process now rather than waiting till cars begin to fail, as is happening with the M-4s.

S5 - After reading the Inquirer article (Remember the Inquirer Paywall) SEPTA is asking the Commonwealth
for a substantial portion of the funds necessary to order replacement rail transit car fleets in upcoming years...
This article mentions NOTHING about funding a Silverliner Six MU car fleet for SEPTA Regional Rail...

SEPTA could take some advantage with a City and Transit-friendly PA State Government currently in power...
If the "Loyal Opposition" takes control ALL funding for SEPTA will be in IMMEDIATE jeopardy with anti-City
and/or anti-mass transit politicians in power at both the State AND Federal levels beginning in 2025...

The Kawasaki-built Broad Street B4 cars are now 41-42 years old (built 1982-1983) and have been well maintained
over their years of service...Replacements at some point during the 2030s could be a plan of future action...

Another thought is to have the B4 cars overhauled and rebuilt similar to how PATCO updated their car fleet...
This would be a much lower cost option for the City and SEPTA...

The MFSE M4 cars are unfortunately not aging well in their third decade of service (built 1998-1999) on SEPTA's
busiest rapid transit line and now look to be retired with about 30 years of service if the proposed replacement
timeline turns out to be correct with a new M5 car order formally placed...MACTRAXX

It is understanding the Kawasakis (trolleys) go first due to ADA. But given their young age (25 years), were the M4s lemons from an early point?

The 1928 Broad Street Cars were 55 years old in 1983, the same age of the R32s in 2020. On the rail side,
the Silverliner IVs might last as long as the Reading Blueliners, 59 years (1931-1990 with a 1965 PSIC rebuild,
the Silverliners never had an "official" overhaul).