Everyone:
As I previously mentioned here is my thoughts on this topic in terms of future SEPTA improvements:
1-A new Silverliner Six MU fleet is an important Regional Rail improvement.
The Silverliner Four cars date from 1974-75-76 (46-45-44 years old in 2020)
They are not getting any younger and even with their advanced age they still are
the backbone of the RRD car fleet.
2-A new LRV fleet to replace the early 80s Kawasaki cars. The Kawasaki LRV cars are
late 30s age-wise and are ADA "grandfathered" in not having access for the disabled.
3-Work on Main Line interlockings at Bryn Mawr, Overbrook; between the Overbrook
shop and the Zoo Tower area would help improve operations. This should be a team
effort between Amtrak, SEPTA and PennDot.
4-Service extensions to Pottstown (and maybe Reading); Main Line service west of
Parkesburg into Lancaster County to a new Leaman Place Station and ultimately Lancaster; Bethlehem Branch service to Quakertown -
(and maybe Bethlehem depending on if the ROW is intact and preserved
north of Shelly and the Bucks-Lehigh County line.)
5-Station projects planned such as improvements at Jenkintown should have some priority.
6-The NHSL line to "King of Pressure"
would be a good alternative to the
traffic problems in the area serving the area's largest shopping complex.
Getting past the shortsighted NIMBY opposition to the line is important here...
7-Extending the Broad Street Line to the Navy Yard area is a good addition.
A proposed extension mentioned in the past would be to a new park-and-ride
facility in National Park, NJ via a new tunnel under the Delaware River.
This would be very expensive and offer limited new commuting options.
8-Extending the #36 trolley route to connect at Eastwick with the Airport Line
is a start - going to PHL would be an interesting further addition to the line.
A #10 extension to Overbrook Station again adds more commuting options.
9-A new Radnor TC would be another interesting option to offer direct connections
between the Paoli/Thorndale and NHSL over the current walk between stations there.
For those unaware transfers between the Paoli/Thorndale Line and the NHSL that are
within reasonable walking distance are also available at Villanova and Bryn Mawr.
I am familiar with - and have used - all three places to transfer in the past.
MACTRAXX
EXPRESS TRAIN TO NEW YORK PENN STATION-NO JAMAICA ON THIS TRAIN-PLEASE STAND CLEAR OF THE CLOSING TRAIN DOORS