SEPTA News - Philadelphia-area transit

[Overmod]

What, no lasers like LIRR?

I still wish that GE supersonic blower had worked properly...

[zugmann]

I always thought the problem was the crushed leaves (And their residue/oil).  Probably won't be able to sweep that away like dry leaves. 

[BEAUSABRE]

Hmmmm....back in the old, old days, trolley lines had snow sweepers - no reason they couldn't be used to clear leaves too. No need for blasting jets of water and you have a dual use piece of equipment

http://rockhilltrolley.org/iowa-terminal-railroad-snow-sweeper-3/

 

[daveklepper]

https://www.septa.org/service/rail/slippery.html

 

Slippery Rail Season

As you're looking out your train or trolley window admiring autumn's vivid leaf colors, SEPTA personnel are also closely watching Mother Nature's handiwork. While we appreciate the beauty of the season, we are more concerned about the effect of falling leaves on track conditions. Every year, SEPTA posts information at Norristown High Speed Line, Trolley, and Regional Rail stations about "Slippery Rail" to remind customers about this annual occurrence and the measures we take to combat it.

What is Slippery Rail?

Slippery Rail is a condition that occurs when falling leaves, crushed by passing vehicles, deposit a residue on the tracks. This coating decreases the friction of a train's wheels creating slippery rails. When this happens, travel speeds are reduced to maintain safe operations, especially on inclines and declines and when vehicles approach the station platform.

How does SEPTA tackle Slippery Rail?

SEPTA has an aggressive maintenance program that employs a combination of water, gel, and sand to remove oily deposits on the tracks. The Authority also uses high pressure washing equipment on Regional Rail to blast away the leaves and leaf residue. This action is effective in removing debris from the tracks, but short of plucking every leaf from every tree, customers may still experience intermittent service delays caused by slippery rail.

How long does Slippery Rail season last?

The length of slippery rail season depends on fall weather conditions and the quirks of Mother Nature. But until the weather turns frosty and all the leaves have fallen, SEPTA maintains a consistent program of cleaning and removal.

Rider Tips

Getting you to your destination without delays or inconvenience is very important, but ensuring that your trip is safe, always takes precedence. So please allow some extra time to complete your trip and be alert if slippery rail causes trains to slide past selected stations.

Additional Information

• Follow your Regional Rail Line on Twitter for real-time service information. Visit the Customized Twitter Service Feeds page for handles.

• Check System Status from your computer or your mobile device for updates to service

• Visit the Regional Rail Service Improvement Program microsite for information on improvements and changes to our Regional Rail Operations

 

 

 

ReplyForward

[daveklepper]

 

SEPTA to Offer Big Discounts on Weekly Passes in September

 

Starting Week of Sept. 13, 25% Off All Weekly TransPasses and TrailPasses

 

August 19, 2021

 

SEPTA is preparing to welcome more people back to the system next month – and will offer a big discount on weekly passes to help entice them to come on board.

 

Starting the week of Sept. 13, and continuing the weeks of Sept. 20 and 27, customers can get a 25 percent discount on all weekly TransPasses and TrailPasses. TransPasses are valid for travel on Transit modes, including all buses, trolleys, and subways. TrailPasses can be used on Regional Rail and on Transit.

 

"This promotion gives us an opportunity to show new and returning riders that SEPTA is the affordable, convenient, and safe way to go to work, medical appointments, entertainment, and other destinations," said SEPTA General Manager and CEO Leslie S. Richards. "We also want to show our appreciation for customers who have counted on SEPTA throughout the pandemic."

 

While this promotion doesn’t start until Sept. 13, SEPTA is announcing it early so that customers who normally purchase monthly passes can decide whether they want to switch to weekly passes for September. Weekly passes are sold starting on Wednesday of the previous week through Tuesday of the valid week, and they are good for travel between 12:01 a.m. Monday and 2 a.m. the following Monday.

 

Here are the weekly pass discounts that will be available for riders starting the week of Sept. 13:

 

Weekly Pass	Regular Price	Sale Price	Savings
TransPass	$25.50	$19	$6.50
TrailPass – Zone 1	$28.25	$21	$7.25
TrailPass – Zone 2	$39	$29	$10
TrailPass – Zone 3	$47	$35	$12
TrailPass – Anywhere	$55.75	$42	$13.75
TrailPass – Cross County	$30.75	$23	$7.75

 

 

 

Customers can load discounted weekly passes through all sales venues including SEPTA Sales Offices, station fare kiosks, and online at septakey.org. Customers who need a Key Card can purchase one at SEPTA Sales Offices or station kiosks.

 

SEPTA will soon announce details on other improvements planned for September, including new schedules with additional service on Transit and Regional Rail. SEPTA would also like to remind customers that parking at Regional Rail stations will continue to be free through October, and that any station Sales Offices that have been closed will reopen by the first week in September.

 

For further details on schedules and fares, please visit septa.org. Real-time updates are also available on the website and on Twitter by following @SEPTA.