SEPTA released a guide Monday establishing the services and lines that would be impacted by a strike. The transportation company’s largest union, TWU Local 234, has voted to strike as soon as Monday, November 1 if a deal is not reached.
Workers’ demands include maternity leave, pay to families of transit workers who lost their lives to covid, and better wages. They also want enhanced police presence for safer conditions.
The strike would impact bus, subway and trolley services. Regional Rail and suburban buses will run as normal. SEPTA published a “Service Interruption Guide” on its website with schedules, maps, and charts suggesting which available services could fill in for those affected by the strike.
These are the main facts about services available according to SEPTA website:
What service will not run?
- Market Frankford Line
- Broad Street & Broad Ridge Spur Lines
- City Transit Bus, Trolley and Trackless Trolley Routes
What service will run?
- Regional Rail: Train service will be the best choice for travel in and around Philadelphia.
- Suburban Transit: Bus and Trolley routes and the Norristown High Speed Line will not be affected, however, the routing and scheduled service for some of the buses that normally travel into the City will change (please see the Suburban Transit section).
- LUCY (Loop through University City): Green and Gold Loop service will operate regular routing from 30th Street Station to selected University City destinations.
- CCT Connect: Regular service will operate for, registered ADA and Shared Ride customers. There may be some delays due to increased demand and local street traffic.
As reported by WHYY, PATCO will also remain in service. Many SEPTA Regional Rail Lines serving stations within the City of Philadelphia also connect with Suburban Transit Bus and Trolley Routes making it the best travel option during a service interruption.
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SEPTA will try to add trains where they can, said spokesperson Carla Showell-Lee, and will convert express trains into local service to accommodate the influx of intracity riders.
“People are going to have to find alternative routes in order to travel. They’re going to have to think about carpooling, they’re going to have to think about flexing their hours for work. They’re gonna have to be a little bit more creative in getting to and from the city,” said Showell-Lee, who asked riders to be “patient” if there is a strike.