Septa Commuters Nervously Await Word on Rail Strike Status
By Brad Segall and Mike Dougherty
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- Riders who use Septa's Regional Rail lines are anxious as they await word on whether the agency's engineers will strike at midnight tonight, shutting down service.
Sarita Ellerson was running to catch her train shortly after nine this morning. She lives in West Philadelphia, works in Conshohocken, and relies on the Regional Rails to get to work and back every day.
Ellerson says she's very concerned that a walkout will shut down the rails, leaving her with very little in the way of options.
"I don't even know what I'm gonna do," she told KYW Newsradio today. "I probably will just have to catch a cab or something to get back and forth to work. But that's going to be like a real heartbreak for me getting back and forth to work."
READ: SEPTA Releases Regional Rail Service Interruption Plan In Event Of Strike
She says it will take money out of her pocket that she really doesn't have.
Her plea to Septa workers: "Please don't walk out on us."
In center city Philadelphia, KYW Newsradio's Mike Dougherty spoke with commuters at Suburban Station about what they will do in the event of a service disruption.
Monday morning would be a scramble for many commuters and a total nightmare for others.
"I take the rails all day," said one man, Greg. "I have a variable schedule with my work, so I'm through here all the time. I honestly have no clue what I'm gonna do if Septa is on strike."
The transity agency says it is planning increased service on the Market-Frankford El and the Broad Street Subway lines in the event of a strike. But that's not a viable solution for everybody.
"I'd hate it, but I'd have to drive in," said Josh, another Septa rider. "The drive is bad enough as it is."
Everyone we spoke with said both sides need to figure this out and come to an agreement as soon as possible.
