Today, SEPTA have released a press release within regards to the eight (8) Comets which they will lease from New Jersey Transit (NJT).  This lease is currently set to $10,000 monthly.  Once these eight units are in service, they will turn push-puller consists from a six car consist into seven car consists.  As a result, this will address the additional ridership issues.  As previously noted, there is 12% increase in ridership last year due to the outrageous gasoline prices. Hopefully this will help ease the demand.

The lease of these eight cars is a necessary step.  Once the year (2010) is completed, the newly acquired Silverliners will replace these units.  By this time, the SEPTA train fleet which currently consists of 348 will increase to 400 cars meeting the ridership demands.

Any comments? please post about them here: 

http://philadelphiatransitforums.cjb.net/topic/7011047/1/?x=0#post8001402

As what Rider65 has reported on the forums . The Alleghany training of New Flyers has commenced. As a result, a trip on the Alleghany portion of the 65 has received #5489. This Comly New Flyer was sent due to the fact that during this fall the 14 is slated to get articulate buses.  Given to the rumors floating around, mainly the 5471-5500 batch of flyers assigned to Comly will be moved to Alleghany and mainly being used on the 27 as well as some trips on the 65.  Subsequently, on the Comly front, they will receive any artics to be used on the route 14.  Whether or not this is true remains to be seen so please keep an eye out!! 

We will keep you updated as to which buses have been reassigned!

Amtrak is trying to enhance the Northeast Corridor (NEC) service to increase ridership and revenue.  Starting in June, 2008, the line is now advertised as the Northeast Regional (as opposed to Acela Regional) with new logos.  Additionally, riders can expect these changes in the service:

and much more!

In the future, more Amfleet coaches will be overhauled and new cars will be ordered to expand the fleet.

Source: Amtrak This Week Newsletter

Now the Newark Transit Hub in Newark, DE is open.  This hub is located between Delaware Ave and Main Street.  Six routes serve this hub: routes 6, 33, 34, 39, 55, 65.  For more details about the changes to the routes that serve this hub, please view this PDF brochure: http://www.dartfirststate.com/press_releases/newark_transit_hubs_routes.pdf.  Please note that you need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the document.

Within the past several weeks, routes out of Allghany routes which never saw anything other then a 60 footer within the past several years has received an influx of New Flyer D40LFs. Their numbers are as follows: 5910, 5911, 5912, 5913, 5914, 5915, 5916, 5917, 5918, 5919, 5920, 5922, and 5924.

http://philadelphiatransitforums.cjb.net/topic/7012527/2/#new

Kawasaki LRV now has a full wrap for the new Philadelphia Recycling Program (where all types of recyclables can go into the same container).  This would be the first single-ended LRV in the SEPTA fleet with a full wrap.  This LRV was spotted on the 10, so that's probably where you would likely find it.  However, as Callowhill rotates its fleet with Elmwood Depot, you may be able to find it on any of the Subway Surface lines.

According to Darryl D. Bulls who runs "The SEPTA News Network", a total of 20 Neoplan Articulated buses are set to go to Comly. Their fleet numbers a are 7101-7120. This should be enough to cover all blocks on the route 14.  This rumor does hold some substance since several artics within that series are currently at Comly undergoing training.

During the height of the rush hour, three SEPTA trolleys were involved in an accident at 13th and Market.  Two of these trolleys were empty; however, the one which rear ended the other two had seven passengers on it.  10 people were injured including the three trolley operators.  This is not the first time which something like this has occurred.  Several years ago, a similar indent has happened at this station as well...

For comments...

http://philadelphiatransitforums.cjb.net/topic/7018574/1/#new

SEPTA will be getting two Comet I cab cars (5121 and 5132) as well as six coach cars (5727, 5728, 5735, 5741, 5742, and 5747).  These railcars will likely be on SEPTA property by August 1st.