Is SEPTA the best? (Philadelphia, York: transport, association, installing)

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by Mahatma X

WMATA is better

Yes and no.

The Washington Metro - the nation's second-busiest subway system - covers more of the city and region than SEPTA's rapid transit system does. It's newer (first segment opened 1976), its stations are awe-inspiring if dimly lit, and it's cleaner. The quality of WMATA bus service has also improved from its historically dismal level - vehicles are now all new or of recent vintage, and information at many bus stops is better (especially info about phone numbers for bus location; SEPTA implemented its Stop ID system abysmally).

In terms of maintenance and instutional culture, SEPTA holds the edge. As others have noted already, the agency has become quite adept at doing more with less from a capital budget standpoint - and the bill's coming due for bringing the Washington Metro back up to snuff, and nobody knows yet who's gonna pay it and how. Riders are already paying in one way: trains no longer run as fast as they should ever since the horrific Takoma Park crash back in 2009 revealed that the track detection circuitry for the automatic train control was defective; Broad Street expresses still run at the speeds Metro trains used to, relying on good old-fashioned wayside block signals. And speaking of the Takoma Park crash, that was only the latest in a series of crashes and near-misses on the Metrorail system, including two fatality crashes in the span of about 15 years. SEPTA and predecessors PTC and PRT went 54 years (1907-1961) before its first rapid transit fatality accident, and another 32 (1961-1993) before its second. There's been only one minor fender-bender in the trolley subway aside from those two, a far better safety record than Metro's racked up in its 37 years of operation. And a Washington Times expose a couple of years ago revealed that the agency has an institutional culture that rewards slackers and protects the incompetent.

One more thing: The dense Regional Rail network makes up somewhat for the skeletal rapid transit system here.

[gwillyfromphilly]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

Yes and no.

The Washington Metro - the nation's second-busiest subway system - covers more of the city and region than SEPTA's rapid transit system does. It's newer (first segment opened 1976), its stations are awe-inspiring if dimly lit, and it's cleaner. The quality of WMATA bus service has also improved from its historically dismal level - vehicles are now all new or of recent vintage, and information at many bus stops is better (especially info about phone numbers for bus location; SEPTA implemented its Stop ID system abysmally).

In terms of maintenance and instutional culture, SEPTA holds the edge. As others have noted already, the agency has become quite adept at doing more with less from a capital budget standpoint - and the bill's coming due for bringing the Washington Metro back up to snuff, and nobody knows yet who's gonna pay it and how. Riders are already paying in one way: trains no longer run as fast as they should ever since the horrific Takoma Park crash back in 2009 revealed that the track detection circuitry for the automatic train control was defective; Broad Street expresses still run at the speeds Metro trains used to. And speaking of the Takoma Park crash, that was only the latest in a series of crashes and near-misses on the Metrorail system, including two fatality crashes in the span of about 15 years. SEPTA and predecessors PTC and PRT went 54 years (1907-1961) before its first rapid transit fatality accident, and another 32 (1961-1993) before its second. There's been only one minor fender-bender in the trolley subway aside from those two, a far better safety record than Metro's racked up in its 37 years of operation. And a Washington Times expose a couple of years ago revealed that the agency has an institutional culture that rewards slackers and protects the incompetent.

One more thing: The dense Regional Rail network makes up somewhat for the skeletal rapid transit system here.

WMATA may be better but SEPTA definitely has the edge when it comes a wide array of transit options.

[Janszoon]

No, SEPTA is not the best. Chicago, NYC, Boston and DC are all better in my opinion. From the lack of subway/trolley coverage to the early closure times to the lack of available token machines (not to mention the very fact that they still use tokens to begin with) SEPTA has a lot that needs to be improved upon.

[FBJ]

Originally Posted by Janszoon

No, SEPTA is not the best. Chicago, NYC, Boston and DC are all better in my opinion. From the lack of subway/trolley coverage to the early closure times to the lack of available token machines (not to mention the very fact that they still use tokens to begin with) SEPTA has a lot that needs to be improved upon.

I don't mind tokens they are cheaper

[Janszoon]

Originally Posted by WestPhillyDude75

I don't mind tokens they are cheaper

How so?

[FBJ]

Originally Posted by Janszoon

How so?

I believe when Septa makes the transition from tokens to the pass next year it will cost more money. Which is why I am mad they are eliminating tokens

[Janszoon]

Originally Posted by WestPhillyDude75

I believe when Septa makes the transition from tokens to the pass next year it will cost more money. Which is why I am mad they are eliminating tokens

What do you mean? The fares will go up?

[FBJ]

Originally Posted by Janszoon

What do you mean? The fares will go up?

The fares go up in July of this year but the move to tokens will be next year. And since the pass is advanced technology I don't think it will be the same price as tokens.

[Cnote11]

Not this again...

[conando]

Does anyone know exactly when the new payment cards and turnstiles will be rolled out? I've read "Fall," but that's so ambiguous it could be next year.