I don't know why the linked page doesn't show the detailed drawings presented at the May 3 dog & pony. There were graphics (but not full renderings) showing how the surrounding roads would be reconfigured for better non-auto access.
That said, as a guy who's spent years annoying local officials about bike paths, the graphics showed the same core problem as every other local plan for non-auto connections. Access AT the target locations may be improved, but "access to the access" is still lacking. I.e. all the improvements at a station are meaningless if you can't walk or bike to them from where you live or work. No one's going to drive 80% of the distance to a station, then walk/bike the remaining 1000 feet.
Unfortunately filling those gaps isn't in SEPTA's purview; the township and possibly the county have to get involved. Not holding my breath.
rcthompson04 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 23, 2022 8:36 am
My problem with the parking garages is simple. Does anyone really expect that kind of park and ride volume from this line? If the Phoenixville extension is done, wouldn't that soak up a lot of the riders at the First Ave/Moore station? Henderson Road falls into the same bucket as well. If you can drive to Henderson Road to get on the NHSL, which requires a connection to Center City via the MFL, why wouldn't you drive to a nearby Regional Rail station (Norristown in particular)? You are literally 5 minutes from Norristown TC at that location.
At least given pre-pandemic usage, I think there will be more parking demand. King Manor (or whatever SEPTA's calling it this week) was often full by 8 am, similar at Gulph Mills. Plus cars were regularly parked along roads adjoining Hughes Park which has no dedicated parking area.
I can understand why there are riders who'd opt for the NHSL/MFL transfer.
> Access: Despite the MFL's less than luxurious service it offers many more city stops than the RRD. E.g. at two different public meetings officials from the University City area said they were hearing from employees that they welcomed improved access from K of P. Using the MFL's 34th Street stop puts them closer to offices and labs than walking from 30th St. Station. The MFL also offers access to parts of Philly's historic district. It's common for visitors to stay at a K of P hotel, then make day trips to Valley Forge and Independence Mall. The extension would give them transit access to the 2nd St.-8th St. section of the city. (FWIW that's not anecdotal; I have a family member who's worked at both parks and is familiar with visitor travel patterns)
> Cost: With a Key card the NHSL/MFL is $2 per trip. The RRD is at least double that figure. It's well known that a good chunk of SEPTA's ridership is very price sensitive. Heck, even when I was working and making a pretty decent salary I couldn't see spending an extra $1000+ a year for RRD fares and parking versus the NHSL.
> Frequency: RRD service out of Norristown is reasonable only at rush hour. Off-peak is usually once per hour. The NHSL's headways are usually no worse than 20 minutes well into the evening. Again a FWIW, that frequency was another selling point when I worked in town. If anything kept me later than say 5:45 my RRD options thinned out quickly. By comparison I might only have to wait an additional 10 minutes for the NHSL.
Requiem for it's/its, your/you're, than/then, less/fewer. They were once such nice words with such different meanings...