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

[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.