Earlier this year, Schuylkill Transit System (STS), the transit system for the Pottsville area, opened up a new bus terminal. The new terminal is called Union Station and has a rail spur in the parking lot for future train service. The terminal replaces the old one about a block away and not only hosts STS, but also the intercity buses. This is the first time PTV has been to Pottsville since the new terminal opened on June 27th, 2011.

The front of the building from the parking lot.

The bus loading and unloading area for Union Station.

For more information on the opening of Pottsville's Union Station, please visit the Schuylkill Transportation System website: http://www.go-sts.com/news.asp

Thank goodness for cameras on buses!

On June 18th, Penny Chapman decided to discipline her child, who was running up and down the bus, by giving him a spanking.  A fellow passenger didn't like that, and even threatened to turn her in for child abuse.  Therefore, Chapman made a phone call, and exited the bus at the next stop.  Her son's uncle and his brother then fired at the bus with an assault rifle and a handgun, thankfully missing everyone on board!

The trial will be held later this month.  For video and more details, please visit Fox: http://www.myfoxphilly.com/dpp/news/local_news/video-shows-dramatic-septa-bus-shooting and Action News: http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/crime&id=8291787

Richard J. Hanratty Jr., chief of rail transportation, suddenly retired on Monday.  We do not know why he retired, but rumor has it that he was "encouraged" to retire with a deal that was too good to refuse.  A person from the Paratransit division of SEPTA apparently has replaced him.

Article: http://articles.philly.com/2011-08-10/news/29872435_1_septa-retirement-rail-transportation

Discussion on Railroad.net with information that is not in the news article: http://www.railroad.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=72&t=85072&start=15

The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) has launched a study looking at the feasibility of opening a new SEPTA station by the Chester Waterfront, near the new PPL park.  This station would replace Highland Ave Station, which is only expected to last another 3 to 5 years and would cost $26 million to rebuild.  The new station, if SEPTA agrees to build it, would cost the same amount of money to build.

More information here: http://www.metro.us/philadelphia/local/article/940214--chester-could-get-new-septa-station-along-waterfront

SEPTA has provided preview schedules of the new Regional Rail and Red Arrow (Victory division) schedules. This will include changes to bus routes 112, 115, and new route 126.  Additionally, there will be some great changes to the Lansdale/Doylestown Line thanks to a new siding that will open at this time.  Colmar station will now be served every 30 minutes during weekdays, and travel from Doylestown to Center City will be 6% faster than it is today.

Frontier schedules will change on October 31st, the City Transit schedules will change on September 4th.