In an Inquirer article today, we have learned that Joseph M. Casey will be the new general manager of SEPTA. The following are some of the things that Casey promises riders:

1.Shorter waits at Center City ticket windows
2.Expanded peak hours
3. More frequent service on the Market-Frankford line
4. Newly scavenged train cars for the overcrowded Regional Rail lines

This is great news and these are all sensible, measurable things that the organization can immediately do to make an impact. For example, starting February 11^th, peak service on the blue subway line will be extended a half-hour to 9 a.m. on westbound trains and 45 minutes, to 9:24 a.m. on eastbound trains. He also will make weekday off-peak hour trains run every six minutes instead of every eight. SEPTA has ordered new rail cars but they won’t come until June 2010 (so I can ride one to my graduation); however, 400 new buses are coming starting in August.

Casey’s second priority is an electronic smart card fare-collection system. SEPTA is going to request proposals in mid-March and hand out a contract by the end of 2008. The system will allow riders to use a Visa or MasterCard to pay for the ride as if you were buying a pack of gum.

I don’t know about other students, but since tokens aren’t sold at 34^th Street subway or 33^rd Street trolley, I end up avoiding taking the subway. The tokens are so hard, inconvenient, and no one wants to pay $2 for something that they know can be gotten for cheaper with a little effort. But people also don’t want to put in that effort, at least in the middle of winter when they live on Spring Garden Street and want to go to Center City. I think when they get a smart card system in place their system and the city itself will flourish.

Right now there is no way to buy tickets for regional rail at the airport except on the train for $2 extra than if you could buy it at a ticket window. That is ridiculous and worse than getting overcharged $0.70 at 34^th Street. However, once this is in place, everyone will be going on the subway and buses and regional rails, and students benefit since every college student has a card.

This will go a long way for customer service because the people at subway stops will now be there to give travel information like workers in other transit systems. They will have to be helpful and courteous. I think this is a great move for SEPTA and the city. Drexel will be able to get involved by making our ultima-funds work for the system and then getting the Drexel discount will be even easier for students too.

Source: SEPTA’s New Chief
Photo courtesy of Stan’s Railpix