The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) recently released three potential options for regional rail as part of phase two of the Reimagining Regional Rail project.
Reimagining Regional Rail is SEPTA’s plan to make its rail system more useful for more people. It is part of SEPTA Forward, a strategic plan to create all-day, all-week frequent service to destinations across the region.
“This project was a great opportunity to learn why people use the system – and why they don’t,” said Jody Holton, SEPTA Chief Officer of Planning and Strategic Initiatives. “We engaged bus riders and non-riders near Regional Rail stations to understand why they chose the bus or other services over Regional Rail.”
Option one focuses on consistent service throughout the network, providing service every 30 minutes. Option two focuses on service every 15 minutes in some areas of the system where demand supports it. Option three focuses on faster and integrated service across agencies, providing express services across the system all day.
Using a virtual tool, SEPTA will collect feedback on the scenarios.
Phase three will develop a plan to implement short, medium, and long-term solutions by the end of the year.
SEPTA serves Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties.