PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — SEPTA Regional Rail riders had significant delays to contend with for most of Tuesday night after a power outage during the evening commute.
The trouble began around 5 p.m., when overhead power equipment on a train near 30th Street Station got tangled with the wires, knocking out power to the sections of railroad connecting 30th Street, Suburban and Jefferson stations. Power was restored within about half an hour, but the damage to timetables and commuters’ travel plans had already been done.
Regional Rail departures had to work around the disabled train and through a long backlog, which was cleared a couple of hours later, but residual delays kept many passengers waiting for their trains for well over an hour.
One passenger, Syr, said she felt like she and other passengers were left a bit in the dark.
“I’d say it’s pretty annoying. I just wish there was some communication on why. It would make it easier to handle the delay, ’cause I don’t know why any of it is happening.”
As frustrating as the experience was, she said, at least she didn’t have anywhere to be urgently.
“I’m lucky that I’m not trying to get back to something on time,” she said. “It’s like—man, imagine if this was happening on that important day.”
Commuter Dave Krull said the delay was more like something he’d expect at an airport, but he managed to make the most of his extended wait.
“Yes, it’s annoying, but I’ve got my two phones—my work and home phone—so I’m keeping myself occupied, getting some stuff done while I wait.”
Meanwhile Luke Tomczuk said he took one look at the departure boards, and that was enough for him.
“I looked at the departure board here, and I saw all of these delayed trains—including mine—that says it’s 83 minutes late. And I never saw that before. I think I’m gonna take an Uber.”
SEPTA says it dispatched additional personnel to assist customers at the Center City stations.