I can't even put into words how much better the new Conshohocken station is. It's simple, effective, and nice-looking. SEPTA has been doing a solid job with these ADA rebuilds over the past decade.
Absolutely! The station rebuilds themselves have been really good when they do happen. Just kind of crazy that more of them aren't in the pipeline, and the ones that are being worked on aren't slated to be done a decade from now in too many cases.
They closed the tunnel connecting the subway with Amtrak 30th Street due to crime and drug use. It's up to Amtrak to reopen it now, which they should, as part of the renovations of the station
I AUDIBLY GASPED WHEN MY REGIONAL RAIL ACCESSIBILITY MAP CAME ON SCREEN i'm so glad it came it came in handy!! i'm actually curious where you even found it.. i haven't shared it with anyone in a loooong time, although i do still update it. speaking of which, i need to update claymont's data..
To be honest, I found it just by googling for SEPTA stations with wheelchair accessibility. Don't think it was the first thing to come up, but it was the first page for me. Really got to commend you for putting that together, since something like that is a godsend for anyone trying to find out which stations will be accessible or not, or for just keeping tabs on station updates. SEPTA should definitely take note. Keep up the fantastic work on it!
Thanks Hungry! Been enjoying your stuff too since Classy Whale introduced me to them! I got quite a few more in the pipeline, so hopefully they can keep your attention even longer!
@@SteveGettingAroundPhilly thank you! That really means a lot. And just based off of the few teasers you dropped in this one, I'll be here for more. I can certainly relate to what you cover and your production keeps the interest up!
11:53 I find a lot of Northeast railroads prioritize level boarding and platform rebuilds. I find it very odd that commuter lines out west don’t reflect the same way (with the exception of Denver, and technically UTA front runner, although they aren’t high level platforms, they are level boarding). Even Caltrain’s new EMU’s won’t have the integrated high platform door.
Thanks for talking about the stations being closed most of the day. It's easy to have a 2 hr commute on regional rail, and a bathroom would be so nice. Also nice RBS plug 😌🚇
We need this kind of station in Malvern. I always see people at that station. I know we have Paoli nearby but even then, Malvern is still closer for many of us.
Saw old pictures of that too. Ironically the ex Reading station that they currently use as Norristown Transportation Center is low level platform, and not much is on the table to make it high level yet. As vital as that station is, I'm baffled why there hasn't been movement on that.
26:33 - In Europe, it's common to have public bathrooms that you have to pay a euro or two for access, and this money goes to cleaning and upkeep. Maybe SEPTA could consider this.
I can see that. Just two light rail lines is nowhere near enough for a city like Charlotte. I do like that NC seems to be really enthusiastic about expanding intercity services with Amtrak, but Charlotte definitely needs some form of regional rail and of course more light rail. Might be a topic I look into frankly, since that can be an example for other cities that need rail transit options.
My totally detached from reality dream is for them to reactivate the Manayunk bridge, making a large balloon loop through center city, and increasing train frequency (honestly not just on the Manayunk/Norristown but on all regional rail)
I find it strange that the end of the Norristown has had an elavated platform for as long as I can remember, but other stops you'd think would be more popular don't. Used to walk from my house on Astor (the first residential street behind the large warehouses) to the train whenever we went into the city.
Regional rail stations with 1500 passengers per day is pretty good, especially if the trains are infrequent, like all trains seem to be in the US. I'm from Australia, so watching this I find the design of the stations strange... it's like stepping back in time 75 years. Likewise those trains look like they are from 50 years ago!! Wow.
@@qjtvaddict SEPTA has newer trains and would have been able to retire these altogether if they hadn't been forced to cancel their Chinese train order due to poor manufacturing performance.
That's not a bad idea, especially for people who are new to the area. I like the old names, but in the world of public transportation, the most accurate names make life easier.
The traffic shown on the expressway here at 4 PM is like the expressways in Chicago which can be gridlocked 24-7! Even at 4AM Chicago's expressways are totally gridlocked!!!
In order for level boarding to actually speed trains, management must support its conductors when they refuse to wait for late or selfish passengers who sit in their cars until the train arrives. The only problems I have with this episode are the drama about station replacement schedule (11 years isn't an eternity) and his odd failure to mention that the Norristown line has a closed station (Shawmont) that's either the oldest or second oldest station remaining on an active passenger line (the other being in MD, I think) from the very beginnings of railroads.
I'd agree for sure. I especially like all of the TOD around the station itself, and there is more on the way. I'd definitely take that over that parking garage idea that they had previously. I know there were complaints of parking being an issue if the goal was to get cars off of 76, but long term, TOD is the best call. Also, love the restaurants in Conshy. haven't visited one I don't like yet.
AFAIK, federal funding cannot be used on stations without full length high-level platforms unless adding it is part of what the funding is being used for.
I would hope I-76 and I-476 are not expanded. Pretty sure the construction of those highways and their interchange resulted in the demolition in 120 homes in West Conshohocken, the decline of West Conshohocken's population, and the stagnation of West Conshohocken's growth. West Conshohocken suffered so that Conshohocken could thrive. But yeah the traffic going to Philly is horrible so I just opt to take the train from Conshohocken to Center City.
That's the thing: They didn't electrify it. They inherited the electrified networks of the Pennsy and Reading. Plus, on a network wide level, electrified systems, while expensive to build are cheaper to maintain than diesel powered systems, so much so that SEPTA got rid of their diesel services by the 1980s. Essentially inheriting an electrified system is the dream scenario and SEPTA got it.
The reason they closed the tunnel connecting EL & Trolleys to reach 30th Street Station of Pennsylvania Railroad is do to those who don't respect life as those who create stabbings, drug use and worse.
Wow, moving entire stations because they are in a curve, while developed countries around the world use retractable level bridges on their doors instead, which automatically close the gap to the platform. I wonder what might be the more economical way. ru-vid.com5D-TWksvc3Y?si=I3RF34sczsGKcAyk
OK, why not offer to pay for a new station since it's so important to you? Apparently you don't understand how Septa works. They get money from the Fed, State and local governments and they pay all their supporters to keep the board members on the board. Everyone else can take a flying leap through a rolling donut. Septa's motto is "The public and employees be damned". Septa isn't a transit agency it's a slush fund for the well connected.
