SEPTA Accidents

[selhars]

^ I am literally just reading that now.

So I'm going to have to process that a little bit.

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by BPP1999

I have several times pondered if it’s sabatoge from within, to make the public turn anti-SEPTA (or more so) in an attempt to squash any chance of the Roosevelt Boulevard extension, given how generally anti-expansion the agency tends to be.

(I realize how “tin foil hat conspiracy theorist” that sounds, but as an organization they are damn good at making decisions that result in the prevention of significant expansion).

Given how doggedly the agency pursued the NHSL KoP spur, despite even rail transit supporters arguing against it, I wouldn't ascribe a philosophical opposition to expansion to SEPTA. Since I no longer cover it regularly, I can't parse the machinations of the SEPTA Board or upper management, but I suspect that what drives the (in)decisions are more likely personal interests of particular Board members, top managers, or even other interests working from outside (for instance, one group I know that did push hard for the KoP spur was the King of Prussia (business improvement) District).

The construction trade unions would love to see one subway extension get built somewhere, and the BSL Navy Yard extension is still on its capital planning wishlist.

[Urban Peasant]

I am a transit enthusiast and I was reading about SEPTA's numerous accidents this summer and thinking "What is going on up here (in Boston) is happening down there (in Philly)". In the past year, we too had at least one out of control runaway train barreling down the wrong direction, one subway train that caught fire, third rail that caught fire, one door malfunction that dragged a passenger to his death, one freak trolley collision (operator is now facing charges), and numerous lesser accidents involving buses and vehicles. I think it is a combination of improper training, operator negligence, short staff, and poor operations management and oversight. The Feds breathed fire down the MBTA's neck and practically ordered the T to come up with a new and better safety plan and if they haven't done so to SEPTA yet, you bet they will in short time.