On Thursday night at around 8:15 pm, 5183 running on route 26 crashed into a minivan at Algon and Magee Avenues in Northeast Philadelphia.  This caused a police officer to crash into a nearby pole.  Unfortunately, those in the minivan were seriously hurt.  However, the police officer as well as the passengers on the bus were okay.

More details, including a video, are located at CBS's website: http://cbs3.com/topstories/SEPTA.Bus.Crash.2.594105.html

While we were sleeping SEPTA snuck in at least two new Champion Cutaways.  They are being used on the 312 Cornwells Heights Park and Ride shuttle and are stored in the cage there with 2080 and 2086.  The new buses were first spotted last week.  When I was at Cornwells Heights railfanning yesterday, I went up to the cage to see for myself.  The new buses are 2098 and 2099.  They are 2007 Champion Challenger cutaways between 25 and 30 feet long on a Heavy Duty Chevy C4500 chassis.  Some pictures below.  Please bare in mind since I couldn't get in the cage, I had to do the best I could in getting pics.

 As you can see, these buses are semi different from the current Champions.  They have some features the Fords had.  This includes the wheelchair lift at the back, rear windows, and rear emergancy exit door.  It is unknown exactly how many of these are on SEPTA Property or owned by SEPTA.  When more information becomes available it will be passed along.

SEPTA decided that by this time next week, they will have a contract awarded to a contractor to create a smart card fare collection system for the transit agency.  SEPTA plans to try a contact-less smart card system, similar to the Smartrip card in Washington, DC and the CharlieCard in Boston. 

In fact, instead of a closed system, where the value on the card is only good for SEPTA buses and trains, the transportation authority is looking at one that is based on Visa and Mastercards.  That way, a bus or train ride would just be another transaction on the card.  For those who don't have credit cards, SEPTA will provide their own special cards where value can be added at vending machines.  With this system, the "SEPTA cards" may not be compatible with PATCO's Freedom Card.

SEPTA hopes to have this system implemented by 2010, but they aren't sure if that's possible.  Also, such a system can cost over 100 million dollars to impletment.

You can find more information about SEPTA's plan to upgrade its fare collection system at the following website: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/pa/20071130_SEPTA_sets_a_course_for_smart_cards.html.

In case you haven't heard, NJT received P40 diesel engines for use on the new Atlantic City Express line, running from New York Penn Station to Atlantic City.  These engines would be used along the non-electrified parts of the line.  When underground, the train will use an ALP 46 electric engine, and the P40s will only act as a "cab car". 

Here's a picture of the engine in the NJT scheme: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=952334

You can find more information on the engines on RR.net's forums: http://www.railroad.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=42631

The first of New Jersey Transit's "new" Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) appeared at the RiverLINE's 36th Street Station in Pennsauken.  These "new" TVMs will replace the current machines at all New Jersey Transit train and bus stations.  Don't be fooled, though.  These "new" TVMs are just rebuilt "old" TVMs.

The new TVMs are blue and orange with touch screens for ticket selections.  Riders are also able to purchase monthly passes in addition to single tickets.  Debit/Credit card transactions are faster as well.  However, one of the most notable features will be their ability to not only sell tickets for the RiverLINE, but tickets for the Northeast Corridor Line and SEPTA R7 line.  Additionally, NJT plans to have these machines work with the PATCO Freedom Cards in the future, as they are capable of doing such a thing.

Here's a picture of the machines: http://chuchubob.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=970972

You can find more information, pictures, and feedback about these machines in this Railroad.net forum thread: http://www.railroad.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=45290

• Ending all service at Walter Rand Transportation Center in Camden, NJ (to improve reliability and on-time service w/o Philadelphia delays)
• Discontinuing direct service to 36th Street Station - the station is still accessible on River Road
• Timed connections with the RiverLINE so that riders can easily transfer between the two modes at Route 73/Pennsaucken Station and Walter Rand Transportation Center

The service advisory is available at this location on the website: http://www.njtransit.com/sa/sa_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=ServiceAdjustmentTo&AdjustmentId=4895

Friends of Philadelphia Trolleys is planning on chartering a Neoplan AN440 for a fan trip on Sunday, March 30th.  Posted below are the specific details for the charter:

Farewell to the Neoplans Trip

Since Faye Moore is retiring, SEPTA promoted Joe Casey (who was formerly SEPTA's Chief Financial Officer) as General Manager of the SEPTA system at today's board meeting.  To replace Faye Moore, the board only conducted an internal search to find their candidates for this position.  Casey was one of three finalist for the General Manager position and will start his new job on February 15, 2008.

More details in SEPTA's Press Release: http://www.septa.org/news/press_releases/20071220.html