SEPTA Regional Rail delays, cancellations cripple Tuesday's commute

SEPTA Regional Rail delays and cancelations continue

Though some improvements were made for some SEPTA Regional Rail riders Tuesday afternoon, cancelations and delays are still a problem.

PHILADELPHIA - Commuters who rely on SEPTA's Regional Rail were left frustrated Tuesday after the transit authority was forced to remove some railcars following an emergency order issued by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). 

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has issued an advisory warning Regional Rail passengers of possible trip cancellations, delays and crowded conditions in the days ahead.

"SEPTA crews are performing enhanced safety inspections and removing rail cars from service proactively for further examination as needed," the advisory states. 

The backstory:

NTSB issues urgent warning over SEPTA railcar fires

The NTSB has issued an urgent warning regarding SEPTA railcar fires. Here's everything we know.

A report by the National Transportation Safety Board recommended that SEPTA suspend operations of its Silverliner IV fleet due to fire risks; an investigation also found that SEPTA maintenance practices put passengers at risk.

In a system-wide alert issued last week, SEPTA said that the Silverliner IV trains are the ones currently being taken out of service. These cars entered service between 1974 and 1976, and according to the NTSB's report, they make up 225 of the 390 cars in SEPTA's Regional Rail system — roughly 58% of all cars. 

"SEPTA anticipates that its continued compliance with the FRA order will result in additional service disruptions beyond today," the advisory issued Monday goes on. "SEPTA is exploring all options for mitigating trip cancellations and delays, and updates will be provided as new information is available." 

SEPTA officials and riders react

Barbara Ochester finally got on her train back to Chestnut Hill this afternoon, after a rough morning getting into the city.

"The first one was canceled, the 7:24, and the second one came about a quarter of eight maybe, but we were late all day and then we were packed so it had to be made into an express because there were no seats," she says. "I was just late, I grew up in a military family, I don’t like late."

SEPTA Regional Rail delays, cancelations cripple Tuesday morning commute

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has issued an advisory warning Regional Rail passengers of possible trip cancellations, delays and crowded conditions in the days ahead.

Tuesday morning, FOX 29 was there as dozens of commuters were told they could not get on the train that finally arrived at the Jenkintown-Wyncote station.

While some riders felt it wasn’t clearly communicated, SEPTA officials now say this will be the on-going reality for a few weeks on the regional rail lines as they work through inspections and other required action items that were part of an emergency order issued by the Federal Rail Administration. The order is for Silverliner IV trains and their apparent fire risks.

SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch says the trains are operating with fewer cars as they need point by point inspections of all 225 cars, which are 50 years old.

"We’re confident that the fleet is safe, there’s just a lot that we have to get through, we have our crews working around the clock to meet that task but it’s going to take a little while," he says. "We still have instances where an indicator light goes on and those cars are being put out of service, it gets a little more pronounced when you already have large portions of a fleet going out for inspections."

Busch says SEPTA is keeping their commitment to not sacrifice any core safety improvements. However, they pulled $400 million from their capital fund to balance the budget this year and next year, and that fund is what they would use to purchase a new fleet. He says that purchase is ten years overdue and takes several years to happen.

"It’s about two billion dollars though," he says. "We already have a small capital budget, we’re taking more from that now, it leaves us in a position where we don’t have a ton of options."

‘Comprehensive funding’ is needed, some lawmakers say

What they're saying:

In a statement issued Monday, Pennsylvania State Rep. Ed Neilson, (D-Philadelphia), said he was "thankful" that the NTSB identified the risks associated with the Silverliner IV trains. 

"This is the exact reason that House Democrats fought for a long-term, comprehensive funding plan for public transit across the commonwealth," he said. 

These funding plans have yet to come to fruition, however, as the state Senate instead approved two transit bills that didn't include additional funding for SEPTA, Pittsburgh's Regional Transit or other mass transit systems in the state. 

"I am working closely with SEPTA, House Democratic leadership and Governor Shapiro’s office to determine the next step in fixing this crisis, but if a long-term funding solution isn’t a part of the conversation, this will continue to happen to transit agencies across Pennsylvania," Neilson added. 

"We anxiously are waiting for the Pennsylvania General Assembly to deliver and approve that sustainable, recurring source to fund operating and capital needs for public transit," Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said in a statement last week following the release of the NTSB's report. 

What you can do:

SEPTA says they hope to have a new timeline soon, but they are warning regional rail riders that board on the inner-ring stations closest to the city will be most likely to deal with overcrowded trains. They say riders should give themselves plenty of travel time and have a back-up solution like a subway, bus, or trolley.

For the latest updates and for alternate service options, go to the SEPTA app or click here. Travel alerts are also available on X @SEPTA.