November 01, 2016
John Kopp/PhillyVoice
Subway stations are closed after more than 5,000 SEPTA employees took to the picket lines on Tuesday morning.
Thousands of public transit commuters are out of luck and mad as hell in Philadelphia. SEPTA's buses, subways and trolleys are all temporarily out of commission after Transport Workers Union Local 234 went out on strike when the clock struck 12:01 Tuesday morning.
The city has been through this twice before in recent memory, including a seven-day strike in 2005 and a six-day shutdown that stalled the system in 2009. In its 50-year history, SEPTA has had more work stoppages than any other transit agency in the United States: 1977, 1981, 1983, 1986, 1995, 1998, 2005, 2009, 2014 and now 2016.
Center City was gridlock through rush hour Tuesday morning, Uber and Lyft were rolling, and cyclists weaved their way through the mayhem as frustration and uncertainty set in.
On a stressful Tuesday morning, here's what people have been saying about the #SEPTAStrike on Twitter. We begin with a song.
When Septa Goes On Strike 😭 pic.twitter.com/5hHzDtIeKg
— Global (@VinePhilly) October 31, 2016
Breaking: Philadelphia residents already exploring alternative modes of transportation this week #SEPTA #septastrike pic.twitter.com/dDXZ3p5GWU
— JCorrado (@ForzaCorrado) November 1, 2016
The Scene at 69th Street Terminal as @SEPTA goes on STRIKE #septastrike #SEPTA pic.twitter.com/m8KNaNFpec
— David Malandra Jr (@David_Malandra) November 1, 2016
You're looking at the owner of a brand spankin new Uber account. #septastrike
— Elizabeth Fiedler (@EAFiedler) November 1, 2016
#septa #septastrike pic.twitter.com/BOHcCaWuY8
— Ae.Sal🚀 (@TheRealAeSal) November 1, 2016
This #SeptaStrike Got Me Like pic.twitter.com/gDzQDIhjJG
— Global (@VinePhilly) November 1, 2016
Philly Uber/Lyft drivers right now #septastrike pic.twitter.com/1vIeA8kWXC
— zOmBiE zEbRa 💀 (@mcmiag) November 1, 2016
Batman had to find an alternate route to work this morning #septastrike pic.twitter.com/HwCTXRajoN
— SuperHeroStuff.com (@SuperHeroStuff) November 1, 2016
60K philly school students depend on Septa to get to school. #septastrike How is it OK to have no real plan to get students to school?
— Robin Stevens (@DrRobinStevens) November 1, 2016
#SEPTAStrike! Lots of parents whose kids rely on SEPTA to get to school be like: pic.twitter.com/84E1vv8ar6
— Jim Saksa (@Saksappeal) November 1, 2016
Okay but telling commuters to "find alternative means of transportation" is the the furthest thing from a contingency plan #septastrike
— Katrina Joyce (@inkscribbling) October 31, 2016
#SeptaStrike got the working class in Philly all like pic.twitter.com/ezcy7WhK3p
— PartyBoss (@Young_Stalin69) November 1, 2016
I wonder how many SEPTA drivers are driving Uber and Lyft today... #SeptaStrike #UnsuckSepta
— unsuck SEPTA (@unsuckSEPTA) November 1, 2016
#TuesdayMotivation 1000s of Septa workers are exercising the power of ordinary workers to effect meaningful change #septastrike #solidarity
— Philly DSA (@PhillyDSA) November 1, 2016
@septa I say fire those who strike and employ people who in these hard times will appreciate a JOB #septastrike
— drbjf6 (@Drbjf6) October 31, 2016
Do remember that SEPTA workers are asking for the same benefit conditions as SEPTA management. #SEPTAstrike
— Matthew F Taylor (@The_MFT) November 1, 2016
@samhopexo people supporting #septastrike are uneducated and privileged.
— suzanne (@NoLydiaWereDead) November 1, 2016
Were the cops on Broad St. this AM for a politician or just to keep Philadelphians from killing each other during the #septastrike?
— karla gibbs (@noodleandthepea) November 1, 2016
You see a #septastrike, we see flashbacks of our parents forgetting to pick us up from soccer practice. Verdict: still not cool, mom.
— Kid Goggles Podcast (@kid_goggles) November 1, 2016
Rode my bike in today for the 1st time. feeling energized thanks #septastrike for the free workout.
— lauren ryder (@LaurenJRyder) November 1, 2016
When you realize there is no conductor on your subway/train #septastrike pic.twitter.com/InXzFm7KSU
— Stoned Philly Fan (@StonedPhillyFan) November 1, 2016
People are standing outside the transportation center like that train or bus is coming #septastrike #NotToday Mutumbo voice
— Anthony Foley (@BigMoneyFols) November 1, 2016
It's almost like the whole point of a city is for you to live close to where you work 🤔🤔🤔 #SEPTAstrike
— Jeremy Zimmerman (@Jeremy_Zim) November 1, 2016
Only thing SEPTA was on time for was that strike. 12:01 on the dot #septastrike
— Miyah Chanèl (@__Yellowbonee_) November 1, 2016
When 5 regional rail trains go by you.. #septastrike pic.twitter.com/lbQJXL19zR
— TRUMP IS STUPID (@DrewWhosUrDaddy) November 1, 2016
New @SEPTA Logo! #SEPTA #SeptaStrike pic.twitter.com/y8F0a8oG9k
— DS (@livedrew44) November 1, 2016
Wage of #septa driver: $20/hr
— Devin Fitzsimons (@aisflat439) November 1, 2016
Wage of Target employee: $10/hr
Number of #SEPTAstrike demands for passenger affordability: 0
I support SEPTA workers combating higher healthcare costs for both themselves as individuals, as well as their families. #septastrike
— Stanley570 (@stanley570) November 1, 2016
Kids can't get to school today and many of the teachers can't get there to teach them. I need septa to value their drivers! #septastrike
— Jessica Ryan (Tweed) (@JessNicoleRyan) November 1, 2016
SEPTA going on strike right before election most adversely affects Philadelphia inner city voters & could sway outcome. Fix it! #septastrike
— nananesbitt (@nananesbitt) November 1, 2016
Stop saying the #SEPTAstrike is going to affect the election. People vote in their neighborhoods. walking distance. #VOTE @6abc @CBSPhilly
— Kia Baker (@ImKiaBaker) November 1, 2016
#septastrike It's too much power for one union to have over an ENTIRE city.
— Chris (@Bougie_Unbound) November 1, 2016
Just understand that less than 5,000 people have brought the 8th largest city to its knees. #septastrike @ChrisStigall
— Dan Little (@danielwlittle) November 1, 2016
I'm pro union until a #septastrike.
— Nik (@NoTrueName) November 1, 2016
The #septastrike stinks, but hopefully it educates some about alternative modes of travel through Philly. At least start the conversation!
— Justin Lehmann (@TheAngryGents) November 1, 2016
Overheard in the office during the #septastrike: "it would only take me a little over an hour to walk home. I think it's worth it"
— Katy Stankevitz (@KatyStank) November 1, 2016
Lovely sound of people blasting their horns in the background #septastrike
— Social Innovations (@S_Innovations_I) November 1, 2016
I'm glad that for once it's not regional rail getting screwed, but I am legit sorry for all the busy/trolley/subway riders. #septastrike
— Aidan D. (@aidanboleyn) November 1, 2016
today there was a fight in my uber pool #septastrike
— kt cake (@lovell__) November 1, 2016
Important #septastrike news: SEPTA gift shop at 1234 Market apparently closed. Hope it doesn't last thru holidays. pic.twitter.com/uvzxjYbZas
— Brian P. Hickey (@BrianPHickey) November 1, 2016
