SEPTA Metro
SEPTA Metro | |
---|---|
Clockwise from top left: Trains on L, B, T, G, D, and M lines | |
Overview | |
Owner | Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) |
Area served | Philadelphia, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties, Pennsylvania |
Locale | Delaware Valley |
Transit type | Rapid transit (L, B) Light rail (D, G) Subway-surface Trolley (T) Interurban/Light rapid transit (M) |
Number of lines | 6 lines 13 services |
Line number | |
Headquarters | 1234 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
Website | wwww |
Operation | |
Operation will start | 2024 (planned introduction of brand) |
Infrastructure manager(s) |
|
Technical | |
System length | 78 mi (126 km) |
Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge 5 ft 2+1⁄2 in (1,588 mm) Pennsylvania trolley gauge |
SEPTA Metro is an urban rail transit network in Philadelphia and its suburbs, operated by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA). The network includes two rapid transit lines and four light rail lines totaling 78 miles (126 km) of rail service.
While the lines themselves date back to the 19th and early 20th centuries, the SEPTA Metro branding was first proposed in 2021 to make the system easier to navigate. Introduction of the new branding began in 2024. When rebranding is complete, the Market–Frankford Line, Broad Street Line, subway–surface trolley lines, Norristown High Speed Line, Route 15 trolley, and Routes 101 and 102 trolleys will be referred to as the L, B, T, M, G, and D lines respectively.
History[edit]
In September 2021, SEPTA proposed rebranding their rail transit services, the Market–Frankford Line, Broad Street Line, Subway–Surface trolley lines, Norristown High-Speed Line, Route 15 trolley, and Routes 101 and 102 trolleys) as the "SEPTA Metro", in order to make the system easier to navigate.[1][2]
Under this proposal, new maps, station signage, and line designations would be created. Under the proposed nomenclature, trunk lines would receive a letter and a color, with services having a numeric suffix and service name, to make wayfinding easier.[3] Services on the current Market–Frankford Line, for instance, would be called the "L Lines" and colored blue, with local service becoming the "L1 Market–Frankford Local".
Services along the current Broad Street Line would become the "B Lines" and colored orange, with local service becoming the "B1 Broad Street Local".[4] The express service would become the "B2 Broad Street Express", the special service would become the "B2 Express Sports Special", and spur service would become the "B3 Broad–Ridge Express".
Services along the current subway–surface, Norristown High-Speed Line, Route 15 trolley, and Routes 101 and 102 suburban trolley trunk would become the "T Lines", "M Lines", "G Lines", and "D Lines" respectively.[4] SEPTA budgeted $40 million to June 2023 for the rebranding.[5]
In March 2022, SEPTA revised the SEPTA Metro proposal based on feedback from a 2 month-long outreach period between September and October 2021. The amended proposal involved describing each lettered service by the word "Line" rather than "Lines". Special service along the Broad Street Line would become part of the "B2 Broad Street Express", with service being differentiated by their end terminals. As part of the proposal, the roll-out of real-time information was stated as a priority.[6] Stations with shared names would also be renamed to avoid confusion.[3] SEPTA upgraded its website in late 2023,[7][8] in advance of the planned rollout of SEPTA Metro in 2024.[9] Prior to the official rebranding of SEPTA Metro, the first pieces of updated signage were installed at Drexel Station at 30th Street in February 2024.[10]
Lines[edit]
Line | Type | Service patterns | South/West terminal | North/East terminal | Average weekday ridership (FY 2023)[11] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Broad Street Line | Rapid transit (subway) | Local | NRG | Fern Rock Transit Center | 79,155 |
Express | Walnut–Locust NRG (limited) | ||||
Spur | 8th–Market | ||||
Media–Sharon Hill Line | Trolley | Route 101 | Orange Street / Media | 69th Street Transit Center | 2,023 |
Route 102 | Chester Pike / Sharon Hill | 2,097 | |||
Route 15 Trolley | Trolley | All Stops | 63rd–Girard | Richmond–Westmoreland | 4,762 |
Market–Frankford Line | Rapid transit (subway/elevated) | All Stops | 69th Street Transit Center | Frankford Transit Center | 107,651 |
Norristown High Speed Line | Light rapid transit | Local | 69th Street Transit Center | Norristown Transit Center | 4,510 |
Subway–Surface Trolleys | Subway–surface trolley | Route 10 | 63rd–Malvern / Overbrook | 13th Street | 5,396 |
Route 34 | 61st–Baltimore / Angora | 6,225 | |||
Route 13 | Yeadon Darby Transit Center (limited) |
6,503 | |||
Route 11 | Darby Transit Center | 6,669 | |||
Route 36 | 80th Street–Eastwick | 7,101 |
References[edit]
- ^ Chang, David (September 7, 2021). "The SEPTA Metro? L Lines and B Lines? SEPTA Proposes New Signage and Name Changes". NBC10 Philadelphia. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
- ^ "SEPTA Proposing Series Of Changes Aimed To Make System Easier For Riders, Including Name Change To 'Metro'". CBS News. September 9, 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
- ^ a b Saunders, Brian A. (November 14, 2023). "SEPTA to update transit lines with simpler, more consistent signage". PhillyVoice. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
- ^ a b "Wayfinding Recommendations". SEPTA. Archived from the original on September 7, 2021. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
- ^ Fitzgerald, Thomas (September 7, 2021). "SEPTA proposes renaming its city rail lines to help everyone get around". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
- ^ "Design Concept Feedback". planning.septa.org. Retrieved 2022-03-15.
- ^ "Philadelphia's transit agency launches revamped website ahead of transition to 'SEPTA Metro'". 6abc Philadelphia. December 7, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
- ^ Lynch, Cherise (December 6, 2023). "SEPTA set to launch new user-friendly website". NBC10 Philadelphia. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
- ^ Lutz, Chandler (November 14, 2023). "SEPTA Metro aims to make Philadelphia's public transportation system easier to use". CBS News. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
- ^ Fitzgerald, Thomas (February 14, 2024). "SEPTA's first signs of 'Metro' rebranding have arrived". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
- ^ SEPTA Data Group. "Route Operating Statistics: Fiscal Year 2023". Tableau Software. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
External links[edit]