SEPTA Launches Pilot Project To Make It Easier For Suburban Regional Rail Riders
JENKINTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- SEPTA is launching a pilot partnership for the summer aimed at making it easier for riders to get to eleven suburban rail stations in the region.
Representatives from the Uber ride share operations in Pennsylvania approached SEPTA recently with a plan to help alleviate the hassles commuters face in trying to find parking at crowded regional rail stations.
"At many of our rail stations in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties parking is tight, lots fill early and there are few suburban bus routes that connect with these stations," said SEPTA general manager Jeffrey Knueppel.
Uber says it's doing similar trials in cities like Atlanta and San Francisco. Uber's Jon Feldman says his company already sees potential in a SEPTA partnership.
"According to our own data, one in six Uber trips in the suburban counties begin or end within walking distance of a SEPTA station," he said. "And, through this new pilot program, these rides will now be significantly more affordable and widely accessible throughout the region."
Feldman says Uber users will get a 40 percent discount on the ride to or from one of 11 stations through Labor Day.
After that, both sides will assess the data and decide if the ride-rail partnership will continue.
SEPTA Regional Rail Stations eligible for Uber pilot project rides:
- Doylestown
- Lansdale
- Warminster
- Elkins Park
- Jenkintown-Wyncote
- Wayne
- Exton
- Swarthmore
- Woodbourne
- Melrose Park
- Glenside
