Finally - the Champions have been receiving outside ads.  These are mini ads (similar to what is found on the El Dorados) that are placed on the sides as well as the back (not full poster ads like the rest of the buses).   These advertisements seem to be for the Fox Chase Health Center.

Also, my PHL 17 is having a huge ad campaign on the El Dorados for Family Guy.  Dorados everywhere seem to be "dedicated" to this advertisement, with banner ads on the sides as well as a full back wrap.  Even Germantown Dorados are getting the treatment (4502 was spotted today with these ads - the first outside ads to be placed on Germantown's fleet).

SEPTA is really trying to get as much money as possible out of all of these buses....wonder when the trains will start getting wrapped...

PATCO will be sending out transit ambassadors into the parking lots and stations in Philadelphia and Camden during off peak hours.  This is because of the new fare collection system and because PATCO wants to improve their rider's experience by providing a friendlier environment.  This is good since now riders will be able to ask questions about the service, rather than have to soley rely on maps.

PATCO and the Delaware River Port Authority have chosen two firms to study the PATCO expansion into New Jersey and Pennsylvania.  The firm for New Jersey is STV Incorporated and the one for Pennsylvania is PB Americas.  This study will take 18 to 24 months, and community involvement will be a signifant part of this process.

NJT is holding it's College Students Free Ride Week next week, from Monday, September 17th to Sunday, September 24.  This program allows college students, with a college ID (from any college) and a Free Ride Coupon, to ride any NJT route (bus, train, or light rail) for free as far and as often as they wish.

Visit NJT's website to take the survey to obtain your Free Ride Coupon: http://survey.njtransit.com/TakeSurvey.aspx?PageNumber=1&SurveyID=mlKI884

Next week, DART First State will hold several public hearings so that riders can comment on the proposed changes.  Although many of these changes are minor, certain trips and routes will be eliminated.  A highlight is that a new rt 31 Newark Trolley route will be created, taking people around Newark during the midday.

A list of proposed changes, as well as a list of the hearing dates, times, and locations, can be found on DART's website: http://www.dartfirststate.com/PublicHearing/sc/

Well, it's almost official.  The SEPTA board will vote on their next order of buses....New Flyers!

Yes, continuing the trend from 2001, SEPTA is ordering yet another batch of New Flyers.  They will be delivered in increments of 100 (up to 400 buses) with an option for 20 additional hybrids each year.  The board is expected to  vote on this order next week.

We've been waiting oh so patiently, but we'll have to wait a little bit more.  Although PATCO planned to roll out the Freedom card at the end of the summer, the trial cards haven't been working so well.  The cards were too fragile and the sensors weren't reading them properly.  The new estimated roll out is near the end of the year or early next year.

Delaware River Port Authority isn't happy, and are thinking about initiating contractual clauses since Cubic (the builder of the system) hasn't been meeting the deadlines.

More information here: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/20070918_PATCO_is_smarting_over_faulty_smart_card.html

Since SEPTA couldn't get its way by eliminating transfers, they plan to raise the price of tokens to $1.45 each and the cost of transfers to 75 cents each.  These new fares will be implented October 1st, and will remain until the courts decide to grant SEPTA permission to eliminate the transfers.  This idea (created by Faye Moore) will be brought before the board in the next meeting.

More information on this interesting tale can be found here: http://www.kyw1060.com/SEPTA-Will-Raise-Fares-Due-to-Legal-Fight-With-Cit/968539