The new Regional Rail schedules will be effective May 11, 2008.  You can preview the schedules at the following location on the SEPTA website: http://www.septa.org/service/preview_schedules.html

New General Manager Joe Casey is certainly making good on his promise to focus on customer service.  This is why he created a new Assistant General Manager position to manage customer service operations.

Kim Scott Heinle was hired for this new position, and he will be responsible for coming up with new communication strategies to determine passenger proporities, creating a customer-friendly system, and motivating staff (such as drivers, cashiers, etc) to develop positive relationships with SEPTA customers.

Read more about Heinle and his new job in the SEPTA press release: http://www.septa.org/news/press_releases/20080424.html

Just in case you didn't hear, Trenton Station just opened its main concourse.  This area was nicely remodeled, and is a part of the 60 million dollar project to remodel the station.

See the pictures here: http://philadelphiatransitforums.cjb.net/index.php?showtopic=1616

Today, 3431 made an appearance on route 59, block 2001.   This is basically unheard of because the Neos are banned from weekend service.  The reason why the bus was in service today was because members of the Motor Bus Society were riding the system.  Later that day, they were transported to the meeting in 4 Southen buses, and rode the sytem a little bit more after the meeting.  Many thanks to TransitchuckG for this information.

In the past week or so, 5400s appeared on Midvale routes and 5600s appeared on Callowhill and Frankford/Comly routes.  The kicker is that 5837H was running on the 21 this morning.  Is this a sign of things to come with the new 2008 New Flyer hybrids arrive? Stay tuned for more details.

The RiverLink Ferry started service yesterday, May 3rd, for the 2008 season.  This service will operate on weekends until Memorial Day, and then will run seven days a week until Labor Day.  Afterwards, it will run weekends only until September 30th.

The RiverLink service started with a bang, with the Camden Rivershark's mascot "Blueper" greeting passengers for their ride across the Delaware River.  Also, the Nickelodeon group the Backyardians were performing at the Susquehanna Bank Center on the Camden Waterfront.

Also, the PHLASH "trolley" service began operating on May 1st.  The route is the same, but this year it will cost $2 per ride ($4 for an all day pass and $10 for an all day family pass).  This route will operate every 12 minutes seven days a week, from 10 AM to 6 PM, until October 31st.

SEPTA is celebrating the 100 year anniversary of 69th Street Terminal and the Route 100 Norristown High Speed Line. A centennial celebration ceremony will be held at the 69th Street Terminal Grand Hall on Saturday, May 10, 2008, at 11:30 a.m. and festivities will continue from 12 Noon to 3:00 p.m. There will be refreshments, a historical display and live music. Visitors are also invited to take a Free Ride on the scenic Route 100 Norristown High Speed Line from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

(Thanks to rider65 in PTV forums for providing this notice.)

If you ever road the New York City Subway Times Square shuttle, you most likely came into contact with a car with an interior wrap scheme.  Apparently, this method made it onto the Broad Street Subway, where a few cars have "padded walls", advertising the softness of Cottonelle Toilet Paper.  There are two cars in this wrap - 537 and one other.

Photos in this thread on railroad.net.

One again, Amtrak is holding the "Picture Our Train" Wall Calendar Photo Contest for 2009.  This contest enables rail enthusiasts to submit their best pictures of Amtrak (featuring the current logo) to be added to the 2009 Amtrak calendar.  The First prize is a 1000 dollar Amtrak travel voucher as well as photo credit on the calendar.  The 2nd through 5th place winners will also recieve Amtrak travel vouchers.

Better act now!  The contest ends July 11, 2008.  For more details, visit the Amtrak site.

The SEPTA Police are thinking about going on strike because of a long time problem regarding wages.  They are looking for wages that are similar to the Philadelphia Police Department, with double digit raises and a higher yearly salary.

This Thursday, SEPTA management and the Fraternatl Order of Transit Police are going to hash things out with a state strike mediator.  If nothing works out and a strike does occur, don't worry; private security guards and the Philadelphia Police Department will help to protect the system. 

Very soon, SEPTA's AEM 7 locomotives will be overhauled by UTC/Rail/AirSources, Inc.  This overhaul will mainly deal with the wheel and axle assemblies of the engines.  You can read more about this overhaul on the SEPTA website: http://septa.org/business/bidtab/08-124-rmf.html

This past week marked the arrival of #819 spotted at the Berridge-Coutland shops. This will make the order of 38 trackless trolleys halfway completed. Already 801-811 are placed revenue service on routes 59, 66. and route 75. Subsquently, given to the arrival of these new trackless trolleys. So far, four Neoplans had their fareboxes removed within the past week. So Neoplan fans, get your last rides in. Trackless Trolley fans, hope you'll enjoy these new units!

 I'll like the take the time commend the Members on the board to keep track of the Trackless arival status as well as the Neoplan status. Especially TransitChuckG and septanjtmta! 

For the latest infomation

http://philadelphiatransitforums.cjb.net/index.php?showtopic=1665 

or

http://philadelphiatransitforums.cjb.net/index.php?showtopic=1454&st=90