This is a proposal for a full intercity surface transit network for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, implementable within 5 years of commencement. The primary component is a core network of bus services, provided on a fully accessible intercity motorcoach fleet, but the plan also encompasses PennDOT-funded rail service. The core network bus routes are distinguished from their counterparts today by being far more frequent
Category Archives: Harrisburg
Strike Warning cancelled: DEAL IMMINENT
The Inquirer’s Paul Nussbaum is currently tweeting photos of elected officials and SEPTA executives congregating in advance of what appears to be an imminent announcement of a contract agreement. More as it comes over series the tubes.
SEPTA/TWU Strike Kremlinology
The steady drip, drip, drip of signs and portents leaking out of this week’s round of negotiations between SEPTA and its biggest union have finally ended in a press conference that fills me with despair for entirely non-strike-related reasons. The key bit is this: There will not be a strike next Monday. Election Day on …
STRIKE WARNING: SEPTA Regional Rail
It is the duty of this blog to forecast that the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, Division 71, will commence a strike action against SEPTA’s Regional Rail Division tonight at 12:01 am. What remains unclear is how long the BLET will remain off the job. Under the Railway Labor Act, President Obama may, at …
Fuck the State
Jon Geeting brings the truth at Keystone Politics: …Philadelphia and Pittsburgh’s transit funding is excessively dependent on both state funding and fares. For political-geographic reasons, our transit authorities will never receive generous funding from the state. No, this is not a coordination problem between state reps. There just aren’t enough transit riders to make growing …
Simple Answers to Silly Questions
One of the odd “perks” of owning a WordPress blog is getting to see some of the search terms that cause people to find your blog. For instance: how much does a parking permit cost in philadelphia $35 per year for one car. More for additional cars. manayunk/norristown line safe Yes. (Assuming that’s a question …
You will go to space today
Given the massive cloud of rumor, uncertainty, and arm-twisting that hung over Harrisburg this morning, I resolved not to write up a final postmortem of transportation in Pennsylvania until the General Assembly’s 11:00p curfew had passed tonight, to allow for any last minute surprises. Still, I was riding a train out to the suburbs to …
Late breaking news: Micozzie Amendment fails 98-103, PA Transportation in limbo
The Micozzie Amendment, which was the House’s compromise plan to fund transportation in Pennsylvania, was defeated 98-103 at 9:52pm tonight. Word from livebloggers in the gallery in Harrisburg is that moderates from both parties voted aye, while staunch union backers on the left of the Democratic caucus teamed up with anti-everything members of the Republican …
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Transportation bill on the floor of the Pennsylvania House
We’ve been baited and promised and jerked around continuously since September, but with debate now underway and hours in, a vote on a transportation package seems genuinely imminent tonight. The bill under discussion is a $2.3 billion/year plan, with $1.65 billion going to roads and bridges, and $497 million for transit and $144 million for …
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Bridgeport viaduct reopens today as capital funding becomes grave crisis
It is 4:45am. The first northbound Norristown High Speed Line (NHSL) train in revenue service is about to cross the Bridgeport viaduct into Norristown, ending a four month closure for critical repair work. NHSL Norristown riders can breathe a sigh of relief, with cumbersome shuttle busing no longer part of their daily routine. But as …
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Sic Transit Philadelphia 