PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The pain continues for SEPTA Regional Rail riders, as the transit agency canceled a dozen trains on Monday due to federally mandated safety upgrades to its Silverliner IV fleet.
The cancellations are on the Chestnut Hill West and Fox Chase lines 802, 809, and 814. Later in the day, more trains will be canceled on the Chestnut Hill West and Fox Chase lines: 821, 826, 833, 838, 845, 850, 857, 862 and 6844. The same 12 trains are canceled for Tuesday.
Last week, 22 Regional Rail trains were canceled each day because of car shortages.
While all 223 Silverliner IV railcars have completed inspections, SEPTA has only installed the required thermal detectors on 80 of them. SEPTA is also busy at the negotiating table working on a new contract with its 5,000 bus, subway and trolley operators.
SEPTA General Manager Scott Sauer said both sides are aiming for a two-year contract.
"Thus far, the conversations have been productive, amicable."
On Sunday, members of TWU Local 234 approved a strike authorization. Union President Will Vera said he's not close to calling for a walkout, but his members want raises.
"It's really hard for my members to collect sick pay. And there are too many penalties on my members if we don't hand in our paperwork as soon as possible."
Local 234's contract expired Nov. 7. The union's last strike was about a decade ago, in 2016, and lasted six days.
SEPTA resumes contract talks with city transit workers on Tuesday.