September 23, 2016
It appears that normal weekday Regional Rail service will return on Oct. 3, one of the few breaks riders have seen after months of service delays and modified schedules caused by structural damage that sidelined a third of SEPTA's fleet.
A conductor on the Lansdale/Doylestown line Friday afternoon told passengers that regular schedules would resume on Oct. 3. He cautioned riders to look next week for updates, while adding, "But this is SEPTA" – a comment that drew knowing chuckles.
The transit authority has been aiming for the Monday, Oct. 3 date, but had said it could be delayed till Oct. 10.
SEPTA's entire Silverliner V fleet was pulled out of service in early July because of cracks on its welds that held the cars' equalizer bars together. On Sept. 12, SEPTA was forced to again sideline 18 of the cars already repaired by manufacturer Hyundai Rotem and returned to service – because of "minor modifications."
When reached Friday evening, a SEPTA spokesperson couldn't confirm the Oct. 3 date but said regular service schedules are expected to resume soon.
"I don't have a date when regular weekday schedules will be in effect ... I do know that we did put out there that we would have regular weekday schedules back this fall," said SEPTA spokesperson Kristen Geiger.
As it made repairs, SEPTA announced changing schedules and supplemental bus services. It has also borrowed cars to ease the delays and overcrowded conditions at peak times.
"All parties involved are working around the clock to restore the Silverliner V fleet to service in a timely fashion," SEPTA general manager Jeffrey Knueppel said in a September news release. "We sincerely regret the continued inconvenience to our customers."
The conductor echoed that sentiment on Friday, telling one car of riders, "We appreciate your patience."
