SEPTA is racing against the clock to finish inspecting its Silverliner IV fleet by Friday as signal issues in Center City continued to disrupt Regional Rail service. Trains on several lines, including Airport and Chestnut Hill West, were forced to cancel or delay their routes due to technical glitches.
The signal problems, which were resolved at 5:30 am Thursday morning, left many trains stuck for up to an hour, exacerbating the existing congestion that had been caused by train cancellations earlier in the week. Passengers on affected lines were advised of extended service disruptions through Friday.
SEPTA officials acknowledge that the ongoing inspections have resulted in reduced vehicle availability, leaving passengers with crowded stations and skipped stops – especially around Center City. "We know these disruptions are impacting the daily lives of our riders, and we appreciate their patience and understanding," said SEPTA spokesperson Kelly Green.
The transit authority has been working to complete its Silverliner IV fleet inspections, mandated by the Federal Railroad Administration following a series of electrical fires earlier this year. With 220 cars already inspected, SEPTA is close to meeting Friday's deadline. However, officials warn that even after the inspections are complete, recovery time may take several weeks.
The Silverliner IV cars, built in the 1970s, account for more than half of SEPTA's Regional Rail fleet and have been kept in service due to funding restrictions. While General Manager Scott Sauer has assured passengers they pose no safety risk, federal officials have expressed concerns about mismanagement rather than a lack of funding.
Local, state, and federal officials are collaborating with SEPTA to address the transit authority's issues. As repair efforts ramp up, Regional Rail service is expected to gradually improve through the end of the year.
The signal problems, which were resolved at 5:30 am Thursday morning, left many trains stuck for up to an hour, exacerbating the existing congestion that had been caused by train cancellations earlier in the week. Passengers on affected lines were advised of extended service disruptions through Friday.
SEPTA officials acknowledge that the ongoing inspections have resulted in reduced vehicle availability, leaving passengers with crowded stations and skipped stops – especially around Center City. "We know these disruptions are impacting the daily lives of our riders, and we appreciate their patience and understanding," said SEPTA spokesperson Kelly Green.
The transit authority has been working to complete its Silverliner IV fleet inspections, mandated by the Federal Railroad Administration following a series of electrical fires earlier this year. With 220 cars already inspected, SEPTA is close to meeting Friday's deadline. However, officials warn that even after the inspections are complete, recovery time may take several weeks.
The Silverliner IV cars, built in the 1970s, account for more than half of SEPTA's Regional Rail fleet and have been kept in service due to funding restrictions. While General Manager Scott Sauer has assured passengers they pose no safety risk, federal officials have expressed concerns about mismanagement rather than a lack of funding.
Local, state, and federal officials are collaborating with SEPTA to address the transit authority's issues. As repair efforts ramp up, Regional Rail service is expected to gradually improve through the end of the year.
. 220 cars already done, but recovery time is weeks? That's not exactly reassuring. Passengers stuck in crowded stations and skipped stops – what's the plan for that? Should've had this process sorted out years ago, especially with all these electrical fires... SEPTA needs to step up its game 
, but at the same time, I'm like "seriously, how can they not have fixed these signal issues by now?" 
They're trying their best with limited resources and funding restrictions, which is pretty frustrating. On one hand, it's great that they're working closely with local officials to get things sorted out 
, but on the other hand, I'm worried about the safety of those older Silverliner IV cars 
- do we really know they're safe yet? 
anyway back to the news i feel bad for all the passengers who have to deal with delayed routes and crowded stations like do septa officials at least get paid enough to be able to afford some decent snacks in their office cafeteria 
220 cars already inspected? That's crazy fast! But, like, signal problems still happening on Friday? That's a bummer. So many people stuck at stations for an hour... not cool. 
. I mean, can't they just fix it already? 
It's like, we get it, you're trying to do inspections and all that, but can't you just work around the clock or something? 
I've been stuck in crowded stations with no stops on my line for what feels like forever. And don't even get me started on the cancellations... I had plans to go visit family over the weekend and now I'm stuck here because of these delays 
.