A PLAN FOR SEPTA'S REGIONAL METRORAIL SYSTEM

Septa's Regional Rail System has an extensive network of 7 diametrical lines. However, its ridership is only 90,000 per weekday, much lower than the ridership of the recently built regional metrorail systems, such as BART and WMATA. This project developed a plan to upgrade SEPTA's Regional System by construction of high platforms, purchase of new rolling stock and introduction of self-service fare collection. The new operations will have smaller crews (2, possible one member), so that operating costs per train will be significantly lower, allowing provision of more frequent services. Higher speed, reliability, frequency and improved system image are expected to result in significant ridership increases. Utilizing a comprehensive cost model, a plan for upgrading was developed which would require a $225M investment, but would result in a decrease of operating costs. Consequently, this report represents a plan for upgrading an old commuter rail system, which has high operating costs and cannot attract many passengers because of long headways, into a modern regional metrorail system which will offer better service with decreased operating costs. This upgrading will have a very positive impact on the entire Philadelphia Region. The required investment, although large in absolute terms, is very moderate compared to the investments made by other cities into rail systems with far smaller networks.

• Corporate Authors:

  University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

  School of Engineering and Applied Science
  Philadelphia, PA  United States  19104-6315

  Pennsylvania State University, University Park

  Pennsylvania Transportation Institute, Transportation Research Building
  University Park, PA  United States  16802
• Authors:
  • Vuchic, V R
  • Bruun, E C
  • Krstanoski, Nikola
  • Shin, Y E
  • Kikuchi, S
  • Chakroborty, P
  • Parameswaran, J
  • Vukadinovic, N
• Publication Date: 1993-4

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 172 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Expenditures; Finance; Improvements; Railroad commuter service; Railroad transportation; Regional transportation; Transportation planning; Urban transit
• Geographic Terms: Philadelphia (Pennsylvania)
• Old TRIS Terms: Financial expenditures
• Subject Areas: Finance; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00738743
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: III-9305, Final Report
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 22 1997 12:00AM