Around noon today forum member Buswizard spotted 8082 on display at City Hall, sporting a full wrap on the new stop hunger campaign. SEPTA and the Philabundance team are working together to help fight hunger in the region. These ads have now made it out of the subway trains and on to the buses. Stop hunger in your region.  for more information on where you can donate canned foods go to this link http://www.septa.org/inside/philabundance.html

Photo: 8082 at City Hall; Taken by Mike (Buswizard)

As mentioned in the last news post, 8082 is SEPTA's campaign bus for the food driver program.  8082 over the past week has been spotted operating on various routes throughout the system. Thus far it’s been spotted on the route 17 in South Philadelphia, Route 124, and route L out of Midvale.  This bus will continue to operating to various routes system wide until the drive is over on June 15th.  For more information this food drive.. So be on the look out for it and donate!!

According to Rider65 on the boards, starting today, Victory will be handing  their Eldorados off to Frontier.  Victory in return is slated to get New Flyers 5934-5950 from Midvale. --> Midvale in return will receieve more new hybrids.

The increased ridership during the year of 2008 did not help matters any.  For a brief period of time earlier this year. The bus shortage, and the overwhelming demand of buses has forced Victory to place Eldorados on the routes which they do not belong. In fact, even the local residents were surprised to see a smaller buses on the 104. "when I saw them on the 104, I almost choked."- TransitChuckG

The Eldoradoes are being sent to Frontier to address the bus shortage there.  The Champions at Frontier are also currently being overhauled as well.

Once it's all said it done, Victory will retain several of it’s Eldorados to be used on route 103/106, and 107.  It is not clear whether or not Victory will receive 5939 and 5949 from Midvale with the since the buses have full wraps which are contracted to run on various routes in Center City. So keep your eyes peeled for them!!

http://philadelphiatransitforums.cjb.net/topic/7112823/1/

Photo-Right: Taken by Kyle Wallace - Eldorado at 69th street Terminal

(Edited by: Van2006ko)

Recently, there was a hilarious mock SEPTA notice that was placed on various EL and Regional Rail cars.  It was a spoof of the Title VI sign that was recently placed in SEPTA vehicles.  Here's a link to pictures and text of the posted notice: http://www.philebrity.com/2009/06/15/widespread-septa-hack-actually-the-most-truthful-corporate-messaging-since-were-getting-there/

SEPTA, however, wasn't quite as amused: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20090616_Prank_SEPTA_signs_offend__amuse.html?viewAll=y&c=y

However, many commuters agree that this was probably the most honest corporate message SEPTA put out since it's old slogan "We're Getting There".

Just last year, someone did a similar prank on SEPTA's Regional Rail, although it wasn't as clever or famous: http://willdo.pwblogs.com/2008/08/05/calling-out-septa-on-diesel-buses/

With the arrival of the 17 Eldorados recently sent to Frontier. Frontier has sent their entire fleet of Champions to Germantown.  Given to the increased SEPTA ridership last year and this year, this prompt SEPTA to send higher capacity buses to both Frontier and Victory.  It was reported on the forums that some of the champions/last fords will be sold off, whereas the other champions will be overhauled and transferred to the contract operations.