Last day to request SEPTA pass refund, Uber now an alternative

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF/AP) - It is the last day to mail in your SEPTA TrailPass or Cross County pass for a refund.

Click here for LIVE STREAMING of Good Day Philadelphia updates until 10am.

WATCH earlier as we tracked FOX 29's Steve Keeley trying to commute:
6am: Steve starts his wait at Jenkintown station
6:30: Steve meets up with coworker Chris, others waiting
7am: Missed last train, won't get next one either
7:45: Jenkintown train arrives 40 minutes late

If you want a full refund for this week or this month, you must return it to SEPTA by U.S. Mail postmarked by Thursday, July 7, to: SEPTA, P.O. BOX 58609, Philadelphia, PA 19102-8849. SEPTA asks you to note "Silverliner V Pass Refund" on the envelope.

Customers can also get a fare credit on a future pass by turning in their current pass at any major SEPTA sales Office. The credit will be good towards the purchase of a future pass from July 11 to Oct. 10.

Last Friday, defects were discovered on most of SEPTA's fleet of Silverliner V Railroad cars. They were taken out of service.

SEPTA says it's "now in the process of analyzing engineering solutions to repair the defects and return the fleet to service."

According to SEPTA: "These 120 cars represent approximately one-third of the Regional Rail fleet and account for approximately 13,000 available seats for our customers. Since these cars make multiple trips during the morning and evening peak periods the impact to our customers is substantial."

The transit agency suggests using alternative travel options.

Also, "because of the reduced seating capacity and out of a concern for the safe travel of customers, some trains may not be able to stop to pick up additional riders, especially at stations closer to Center City. Given these conditions, we are asking customers to consider using SEPTA Transit services as an alternate to Regional Rail."

Click here for details on alternatives at various stations.

Click here for a real-time system status report.

Additional Parking Options:
Commuter lots at AT&T Station: additional spaces will be available. Regular fees apply
Naval Hospital (1600 Pattison Ave): 1600 parking spaces will be available within walking distance of AT&T Station FREE
Parking garage at Frankford Transportation Center: 989 spaces. Daily Parking Fee will be waived during this time
300 space lot at 601 N. Columbus Blvd (adjacent to Festival Pier at Spring Garden and Columbus Blvd). Open 6:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m. FREE
Norristown Transportation Center Garage: $3 SEPTA customer before 1pm, but customers must validate parking ticket at the Regional Rail station

Now, Uber and the Philadelphia Parking Authority have reportedly made amends as SEPTA deals with the structural defect that sidelined 120 regional rail cars.

The Philadelphia Inquirer says the ride-hailing company and parking authority will temporarily let Uber operate legally in the city. UberX had been operating despite its questionable legal status.

Uber is already offering a 40 percent discount to suburban riders who use the service to travel to and from certain transit stops.

SEPTA is looking to lease equipment from other states as riders deal with hectic commutes due to the agency's depleted fleet.

The Cynwyd Line will operate Shuttle Buses and will make stops at Cynwyd, Bala, Wynnefield, and 30th Street Stations. There, customers can connect to the Market Frankford Line or Trolleys for travel to Center City.

DART adjusted these bus schedules until further notice to ensure connections with SEPTA trains.

Rt. 10:

PM trip from Amtrak Station

Current 5:40 trip will depart 5 minutes later; New Time 5:45

Rt. 48:

AM trip leaving Amtrak Station

Current 7:35 trip will depart 5 minutes later; New Time 7:40

PM trips from DuPont Chestnut Run Plaza

Current 4:09 trip will depart 6 minutes earlier; New Time 4:03

Current 5:13 trip will depart 15 minutes earlier; New Time 4:58

Rt 59:

PM trip from Wilmington Amtrak Station