At the sunset of yesterday, Front5151 (A member on PTV) reported that the first batch (8121-8125)of the 2008 order of hybrids are here. These units are currently at Germantown depot undergoing inspection, and awaiting for tags.

While at Germantown depot today, it appears 8126, 8127, and 8129 has also arrived on SEPTA's property.

Upon viewing these hybrids, there were several things to notice.

1. These hybrids  retained the unique rear sign placement as on their 2001-2004 D40LF counterparts
2. The Thermoking Fans (Not the A/c) has been relocated to the front portion of the bus
3. The option for the low profile battery on top of the bus has been exercised.
4. Like their Trackless trolley counterparts, a security camera on the outside of the bus is apparent.
5. Unlike the other New Flyers operating out of SEPTA. These units are longer in terms of length therefore making these units the DE41LF.
6. The location of the fleet number on the rear side of the bus has been relocated to top-right side of the back just below the rear designation sign.
    

As for photos, thankfully PTV board member Jayayess1190 has taken some excellent photos of these units at Germantown depot.

For comments, and more photos

http://philadelphiatransitforums.cjb.net/topic/7027977/4/

According to Joe AKA silverliner_2 on the boards, the Nine Comet cars are set to arrive on SEPTA’s property by this weekend. These cars will be put into service by the October schedule change. Before then, these cars will undergo a minor overhaul. Their car numbers are, Comet I cabs 5121, 5132 and trailers 5727, 5728, 5735, 5741, 5742, and 5747. The extra car (#5118) will only serve a parts supply.

http://philadelphiatransitforums.cjb.net/topic/7027413/1/#new

More New Flyers were spotted operating on Allegheny’s routes today. This time around, several Frankford New Flyers were sighted on the routes 65 and 27. Their fleet numbers were 5801-5802, 5804 and 5904-5905. Expect more New Flyers to move from Frankford by the next week's schedule change.

http://philadelphiatransitforums.cjb.net/topic/7012527/4/

 Today #5279 while operating on the route 88, was damange due to a engine fire, PTV board member TheOneCalledA1 hastook exclusive photos of this bus on bus. No injures has been reported.

http://philadelphiatransitforums.cjb.net/topic/7027728/1/

As if the wraps on 9079 and 9081 weren't enough, more Philadelphia area railcars have been wrapped.  Market Frankford M4 car 1097 was wrapped in a Nestea ad, and PATCO 251 was wrapped for the FREEDOM card program.  You can find pictures on railroad.net, are of Chuchubob: http://www.railroad.net/forums/viewforum.php?f=72

If you haven't heard, SEPTA is coming out with schedules that feature significantly expanded service.  The first wave of schedule changes is coming at the end of August, with the creation of route 139 (King of Prussia to Philadelphia Premium Outlets), additional Sunday evening service on route 96 (and more frequent headways during midday service) and route 99, and the creation of Sunday service on the 111 and 129.

Other enhancements include additional service to Willow Grove Train Station on route 310, midday service on route 8 (every 30 minutes), and OWL service on route 37.

There are just too many enhancements to list here!  Check out the new schedules on the SEPTA website: http://www.septa.org/service/preview_schedules.html

Tomorrow will be the 1st out of the 16 day shut down of the Market Frankford line-EL from 46th street to 69th street. Service from 40th/46th street station will be replaced by shuttle buses.

What's interesting about this time which I've never noticed is that several bus routes will be slightly altered as well.

-The 52 (On weekdays) is set to make a diversion from its normal routing from 52nd street to stop at 46th street station to connect with the EL service.

Also 21 (5 a.m. and 7 p.m)  will ONLY operate to 61st and Pine Street, instead of having every other trip terminating at 69th Street Terminal. So this mean any current rider of the 21 will need to transfer to the EL bus shuttle in order to get to the terminal.

The 2008 SEPTA Bus Roadeo will be Saturday, September 13 at Cornwell Heights Station.  The Roadeo will begin at 8 AM.  To get there, just take the R7 Trenton Line to the station, or take the 304 bus, which connects to the 66 bus at City Line Loop.

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.

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

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.

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 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.

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

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.

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

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!