I made an improved rail system for Philly (Philadelphia, Chester: transfer, live)

[forrestmzie]

Using Google Maps I created a metro network that incorporates the subways, regional rail, PATCO, and additional non-existent lines. Let me know what you think! Would this be practical for where you live? Does it seem to expansive?

[url]https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1qVPuyMnBlWuVITPamuhNg1nVzCqNqIR8&ll=39 .97691025832941%2C-75.06281420480416&z=10[/url]

[bigfish1]

That would be a dream to have that transit in the city. Here are a few of my thoughts:

1. I am curious why you chose Almond St in Port Richmond to run heavy or light rail down. It definitely is not wide enough for on the surface two way rail and probably not even if you tunnel. I would suggest extending the 15 to Bridesburg and run it at higher frequencies. The only street the might be wide enough going in the NE direction to do an underground subway would be Aramingo.

2.Continuing past Bridesburg into Wissinoming would just duplicate the service of the Trenton line, no?

3.The 29th Street subway would be awesome but I think it would be better to continue it on Henry avenue since the top of the hill is a bit of a transit deadzone with the 27 and 9 frequently getting stuck on the Schuylkill. This would also prevent it from duplicating the Manayunk/Norristown line.

4. I always thought the BLVD in the NE would be best suited for a subway given its width but Castor may actually be a better choice given that it is a thriving and growing commercial corridor surrounded by dense housing on both sides where the BLVD is surround by a lot of shopping centers that might be better served with true BRT. I am curious your thoughts behind this.

5.I am not as well versed in NJ's transit needs but that looks like it would connect much of South Jersey to Philly!

6. I would probably run a new South Philly Subway down 8th and then turn at Passyunk and take Passyunk down to the Schuylkill and then have a 5th Street line that goes from north to south to effectively replace the need for the 47 which is one of the heaviest SEPTA routes and frequently gets stuck in traffic. There were actually some good stories on WHYY about the 47 and how it connects both of Philadelphia's large and growing Latino communities.

[Dangerous-Boy]

SEPTA subway and regional rail needs to expand. Septa needs to go all the way to the lehigh valley and sommerville.

[thedirtypirate]

Originally Posted by Dangerous-Boy

SEPTA subway and regional rail needs to expand. Septa needs to go all the way to the lehigh valley and sommerville.

I think in these times of fiscal diffculty, SEPTA needs to do the reverse. Forget any expansion. Fix the MFL cars that are all broken. Finish the SEPTA key/Phone intergration. Clean the stations.. That's it. I think they should forget about the KOP extension for forever.

[Dangerous-Boy]

Originally Posted by thedirtypirate

I think in these times of fiscal diffculty, SEPTA needs to do the reverse. Forget any expansion. Fix the MFL cars that are all broken. Finish the SEPTA key/Phone intergration. Clean the stations.. That's it. I think they should forget about the KOP extension for forever.

no. THe traffic to KOP is insane. America needs passenger rail!

[TheProf]

Originally Posted by thedirtypirate

I think in these times of fiscal diffculty, SEPTA needs to do the reverse. Forget any expansion. Fix the MFL cars that are all broken. Finish the SEPTA key/Phone intergration. Clean the stations.. That's it. I think they should forget about the KOP extension for forever.

I mostly disagree with this, although system fixes should be made. The KOP extension absolutely needs to happen. Also, SEPTA needs to step up its program of RR platform raising; they should establish a goal of all platforms be raised in 2 years. They can do it. The system is very extensive now, but it needs to be upgraded.

SEPTA needs to build a large transfer station in North Phila connecting the BSS with North Philadelphia and North Broad stations on the regional rail. Would also

Next is better, faster signaling in the core area in Center City, esp between Jefferson and 30th Street stations were there's usually a bottleneck during rush hour and trains creep along or stop often. Train frequency should increase to at least a train every 30 minutes on every line. Hourly service on train lines, esp shorter ones like the city-bound Chestnut Hill lines is absurd.

[BPP1999]

Originally Posted by TheProf

I mostly disagree with this, although system fixes should be made. The KOP extension absolutely needs to happen. Also, SEPTA needs to step up its program of RR platform raising; they should establish a goal of all platforms be raised in 2 years. They can do it. The system is very extensive now, but it needs to be upgraded.

SEPTA needs to build a large transfer station in North Phila connecting the BSS with North Philadelphia and North Broad stations on the regional rail. Would also

Next is better, faster signaling in the core area in Center City, esp between Jefferson and 30th Street stations were there's usually a bottleneck during rush hour and trains creep along or stop often. Train frequency should increase to at least a train every 30 minutes on every line. Hourly service on train lines, esp shorter ones like the city-bound Chestnut Hill lines is absurd.

I would argue that restored regional rail service to Phoenixville if not Pottstown, Telford if not Quakertown, and West Chester, which combined would cost less than the bloated, over-engineered NHSL project (which should be nicknamed the Schuylkill Valley Metro 2 so we can be ready for the government to reject it as unrealistic and too expensive), would be far more transformative to the region. But that’s just me. Take the cash left over from not building the NHSL extension as planned and stick trolley tracks right down a widened 202 where I think they used to be. I’m no expert on this stuff but I think there’d still be money left over.

In all reality, though SEPTA is vital, under-funded, and under-appreciated, it is also a very devious organization that purposely comes up with expensive boondoggles that they know will be rejected because they don’t want to expand their system. Combine this with complacent local politicians and uninterested business leaders, and nothing ever gets improved. When the NHSL gets scrapped for being too expensive, and/or if funding is not identified, SEPTA will simply say “Oh well, we tried.” If, however, Biden sends $2 billion our way, and it gets used for this 5-mile, $400 million per mile project, that would be a tragic mistake and a huge waste of a once-in-a-lifetime cash infusion into this area. At least in my opinion.

[chris123678]

Originally Posted by BPP1999

I would argue that restored regional rail service to Phoenixville if not Pottstown, Telford if not Quakertown, and West Chester, which combined would cost less than the bloated, over-engineered NHSL project (which should be nicknamed the Schuylkill Valley Metro 2 so we can be ready for the government to reject it as unrealistic and too expensive), would be far more transformative to the region. But that’s just me. Take the cash left over from not building the NHSL extension as planned and stick trolley tracks right down a widened 202 where I think they used to be. I’m no expert on this stuff but I think there’d still be money left over.

In all reality, though SEPTA is vital, under-funded, and under-appreciated, it is also a very devious organization that purposely comes up with expensive boondoggles that they know will be rejected because they don’t want to expand their system. Combine this with complacent local politicians and uninterested business leaders, and nothing ever gets improved. When the NHSL gets scrapped for being too expensive, and/or if funding is not identified, SEPTA will simply say “Oh well, we tried.” If, however, Biden sends $2 billion our way, and it gets used for this 5-mile, $400 million per mile project, that would be a tragic mistake and a huge waste of a once-in-a-lifetime cash infusion into this area. At least in my opinion.

Agreed.
2 billion dollars for a 5 mile elevated line is really absurd.

1.5 million people, and 2 subway lines.
Why not invest this 2 billion into an extension of elevated services to the Northeast.

or

2 billion dollars to increase regional rail frequency, and infrastructure.