Just how screwed up SEPTA is

[giza]

Get a load of this:

http://www.dvarp.org/reform/case_for_reform.pdf

A study that was published a year and a half ago, describing how screwed up SEPTA is. A few examples:

• The Board of Directors knows dick about railroads. The General Manager is an accountant and the rest of the board is politicians and lawyers.


• Lack of accountability for SEPTA.


• Backroom deals in which SEPTA gives up its rail rights to companies such as CSX. This screws customers in the long term in return for short term gain.


• Short-sightedness with no long-term vision. See previous example.


• The worst ontime performance of a commuter railroad in the nation.


• Very high cost per mile. We're talking on the order of $.41 per passenger mile. Contrast with $0.25 to $0.30 for other railroads.

So yeah, there's a lot wrong with SEPTA. This group seems interested in working for change, though. They're the ones who put out the study I just quoted. I think I'll be dropping them a line.

Comments

[silver-huskey.livejournal.com]

I couldn't help but notice you also have a "septa sucks" LJ tag. XD I'll give the file a read when I have more time. Personally, I don't ride the railroad because it's too expensive. $7 per ride (depending on how far I'm going), and that's only one way??? Even with high gas prices, I can still get further on a gallon of gas that costs $3.11.

[giza.livejournal.com]

Since I take the train every day, I have a monthly pass. at $106/mo, divided by 40 individual rides, that's about $2.50 per ride, which is pretty reasonable. Plus, I can take local busses and subways for free with that pass.

[silver-huskey.livejournal.com]

Hmm... That's not a bad deal. I also don't take the rail because it isn't all that practical. For every point, I'd need either a bus to transfer on, or a car ride. XD Ie, if I wanted to take RR to get to Temple, I'd need to first take the bus up to the station on Cottman ave, then wait for the train. If I wanted to take it out to the suburbs at work, I'd need to take the same bus up to Cottman Ave, get off at Abington station, then catch the 55 bus to work, followed by the Horsham Breeze.

It's actually much faster to drive to Olney and catch the Broad st line, using two tokens a day (no transfer needed with car). As for work, it's just easier to drive there. XD If I worked in Philly, ie downtown, I'd just use the subway. I probably wouldn't have much need for a car.

[silver-huskey.livejournal.com]

Oh, and if I brought a monthly transpass, I think it'd cost about $80. But since I don't catch the bus everyday to school, nor do I use it in the summer, it's still not practical for me.

[shockwave77598.livejournal.com]

Yep. This is what happens when you let know-nothing MBAs and Accountants run the show. Things could be at a complete standstill as long as costs are contained.

[giza.livejournal.com]

Eh, I wouldn't say "know-nothing". I'm sure they know PLENTY about accounting and general business operations. A small number of them might be useful to have on the Board. But having a baord that consists SOLEY of those people? Baaaad idea.

[shockwave77598.livejournal.com]

A person could know all there is to know about plumbing, but that doesn't make them qualified to run an airline. Same thing here. An accountant on the board is one thing, but the entire board made up of them is a recipe for disaster. There should be tech people, passenger representatives, a banker and a member of the city council. All the "stakeholders" should be represented at the board level.

[darthgeek.livejournal.com]

It's entirely possible that CSX actually owns the tracks and SEPTA "rents" access to them. That's what MARC Train does in MD. Also "rents" rail access from Amtrak on the NorthEast corridor.

[kaysho.livejournal.com]

I will give SEPTA credit for one thing, though: their "every half hour the entire day" scheduling makes it easier to plan your day around a train trip without panicking if you miss a train. L.A.'s commuter rail is marvelous if you go into downtown in the mornings and out in the evenings right at rush hour, but anything else and you seriously risk getting stranded.