SEPTA Riders Prepare For Another Day Of Snarled Service
PHILADELPHIA (CBS/AP) — As more commuters are expected to head back after a long Fourth of July weekend, something may be slowing them down.
Stations closer to the Philadelphia, as anticipated, are feeling the biggest impact of SEPTA's regional rail car shortage.
During the peak hours of yesterday's morning rush passengers often saw trains roll right past them filled to capacity.
Commuters also reported a number of delays. And the evening commute wasn't any better. The platforms were packed.
This comes after SEPTA pulled one-third of its regional rail fleet off the tracks late last week after a structural defect was found.
The cracks were discovered Friday night in beams in the suspension system on its fleet of Hyundai Rotem-made Silverliner V rail coaches. The transit agency has hired consultants to pinpoint the source of the problem.
SEPTA says cracked equalizer beams on the silver-liner five cars are now being repaired.
On Tuesday, transportation workers union local 234 released a statement accusing SEPTA officials of knowing about the defects for at least a month.
A SEPTA spokesperson, however, shot back with a statement refuting that charge.
Now Wednesday morning, the commute is still quiet.
Transportation officials in Philadelphia say more commuters are boarding trains earlier due to rail car shortages.
Until the authority can lease equipment from other states, it's streamlining some routes and urging commuters to find other ways to get into Center City Philadelphia.
Spokeswoman Heather Redfern says riders Wednesday morning are catching trains earlier than they did Tuesday.
Despite that, the authority is reporting a few trains running 10 to 14 minutes late as the morning rush got underway, but no major delays.
Uber drivers are reportedly nearby, awaiting riders who may find themselves frustrated with their commute.
According to Jan Carabeo, the delay has some Uber drivers very busy on Tuesday.
SEPTA says it will provide refunds and credits for weekly and monthly regional rail pass customers as a result of the problem.
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