PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — SEPTA is slowing down its trains due to the excessive heat.
When temperatures climb above 90 degrees, SEPTA reduces speeds across all of its rail services — not just Regional Rail, but trolleys, the Norristown High Speed Line, and even the Broad Street and Market-Frankford lines.
SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch said it’s a precaution to protect infrastructure.
“If we were at our maximum speed on any of those modes, we increase the chance that there could be stress on the tracks, stress on the overhead wires,” he said.
In the heat, the overhead catenary wires that power Regional Rail trains can sag, increasing the chance that they can be pulled down. Busch said this is the first time this summer that SEPTA has had to slow trains due to heat.
“It’s not much. We’re talking 5 to 10 miles per hour. But what it does is help us prevent potential damage to the tracks or the overhead wires,” Busch added. “In conditions like this, things are going to be a little slower than normal. So we just ask people to allow for a little bit of time for possible delays.”
In a post on X, SEPTA said Regional Rail trains may experience delays of up to 20 minutes due to heat and power issues on Tuesday.
Busch said SEPTA inspectors are out looking for sagging wires, malfunctioning switches, and other problems caused by the blazing temperatures.