PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Just as SEPTA is redesigning its bus network and renaming its light rail lines, it is now looking at revamping its regional rail system. The transit agency wants to find ways to make regional rail service relevant and accessible to more people.
SEPTA General Manager Leslie Richards says "nothing is off limits." The transit agency is launching a yearlong process to examine regional rail fares, frequency of service, and how the system connects to bus routes and city transit, with an eye toward making regional rail more useful beyond serving 9-5 commuters.
The pandemic hammered regional rail ridership. But even before COVID-19 hit, SEPTA says potential regional rail riders were opting for other services because of regional rail's higher fares and infrequent service.
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To help guide the process, SEPTA wants to hear from people who always ride regional rail, those who sometimes ride the system, and those who never ride -- to find out why. An online survey and an Oct. 12 virtual feedback session are planned for SEPTA to collect input.
“We’ll be looking at and testing, or modeling, different fare policy changes to understand how that might affect ridership," said SEPTA Assistant General Manager of Planning Jody Holton.
“While we’re in this phase where we’re listening to the public, listening to those who ride the system today, but also those who do not ride it. And hearing what their major barriers are to riding the system, whether it’s the schedules, the fares, or it just doesn’t go where they want to go.”
SEPTA’s aim is to put together a long term vision to better connect regional rail with the rest of the system and identify what equipment, infrastructure and policies would help to make that happen.
Links: SEPTA regional rail survey | October 12 webinar registration
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