SEPTA - Random Thoughts Thread

[Ale188]

So, This is the whole Bus redesign

ROUTES (Correct me if I'm wrong)  = same

1: Nonexistent

2: Wayne Junction to 20th-Johnston

3: 33rd-Cecil B. Moore to either York-Dauphin or FTC

4: FRTC to Broad-Pattison 

5: Front-Market to FTC 

6: OTC to Cheltenham-Ogontz 

7: 20th-Johnston to 33rd-Dauphin

8: Nonexistent

9: 5th-Market to Andorra

12: Penn's Landing to 33rd-Dickinson

14: FTC to either Neshaminy Mall or Oxford Mall

16: Broad-Lehigh to Cheltenham-Ogontz

17: Penn's landing to 20th-Johnston

 

[Ale188]

Part 2 = New route

18: FTC To Cedarbrook

19: FRTC to Torresdale Regional Rail Station

20: FTC to Philly Mills

21: Penn's Landing to 69 ST TC 

22: OTC to Either Willow Grove Park Mall or Willow Grove and Warminster

23: Chestnut Hill to 11th-Market 

24: FTC to either Fox Chase or Southampton & Rockledge

25: FTC to Spring Garden El Station

26: FRTC to FTC

27: Broad-Carpenter to Plymouth Meeting Mall

28: Torresdale-Cottman to either FRTC or Fox Chase

29: 33rd-Dickinson to Pier 70 

30: Nonexistent

31: City Hall to 76th-City 

32: Nonexistent

33: Penn's Landing to 23rd-Venango (with a little change)

35: Nonexistent

37: Broad-SNyder to PHL Airport

38: 5th-Market to Ford-Monument

39: Richmond-Cumberland to 33rd-Dauphin

40: 33rd-Dickinson To either 50th-Parkside or all the way to WTC (Wissahickon TC, not World Trade Center)

41 : Chelten-Wissahickon to Richmond-Orthodox

42: Wycombe to 2nd-Lombard

43: Richmond-Cumberland to 69 ST TC

44: 5th-Market to Ardmore 

45: Broad-Oregon to Center City, sometimes serving the Navy Yard

46: 58th-Baltimore to 63-Malvern (with a tiny change)

47: Whitman Plaza to 5th-Godfrey 

47M: Nonexistent

48: Front-Market to 27th-Allegheny (with changes)

49: 40 ST Trolley Portal to either Ridge-Lyceum or 33rd-Dickinson

50: Nonexistent

51 : OTC to either Chestnut hill or Plymouth Meeting Mall

52: 49th-Woodland to either 54th-City or 50th-Parkside

53: Carpenter Lane Station to Richmond-Westmoreland

54: Richmond-Cambria to 33rd-Dauphin 

55: OTC to either Willow Grove Mall or Doylestown

[Ale188]

Part 3

56: Torresdale-Cottman to either 23rd-Venango or Bakers Centre 

57: Front-Dauphin to either Broad-Pattison or 4th-Oregon

58: FTC to either Neshaminy Mall or Bustleton-County Line

59: Castor-Bustleton to ATC 

60: WTC to Richmond-Westmoreland

61: Summit Loop to 13th-Market

62: Nonexistent

63: Overbrook Station to Pier 70, some service to Lankenau Medical Center

64: 50th-Parkside to Pier 70

65: 69 St TC to FRTC

66: FTC to Frankford-Knights 

67: OTC to Bustleton-Tomlinson

68: PNC Center to Broad-Oregon

70: OTC to Torresdale-Cottman

71: Cheltenham-Ogontz to WTC

72: Chestnut Hill to FTC

73: Nonexistent

74: FRTC to Front-Dauphin

75: Wayne Junction to ATC 

76: Rising Sun-Olney to Pier 70

77: Torresdale-Cottman to Glenside Station

78: Nonexistent

79: 40th-Market to Pier 70

81: Broad-Erie to Cheltenham-Ogontz

82: WTC to FTC

83: Willow Grove Park Mall to Torresdale Station

84: FTC to Philly Mills

85: Holy Redeemer Hospital to Frankford-Knights

86: Forest Hills Station to Cornwells Heights Station

87: Bucks County Technology Park to Frankford-Gregg

88: Frankford-Gregg to FTC

89: Nonexistent

90: Nonexistent

91: Nonexistent

92: Nonexistent

93: Norristown TC to either Pottstown-MCCC Campus or Pottstown-High St (minor change)

94: Montgomery Mall to Chestnut Hill (minor change)

95: Plymouth Meeting mall to KOP

96: Lansdale to Norristown TC

97: Plymouth Meeting Mall to Metroplex and Norristown TC

98: Plymouth Meeting Mall to Norristown TC

99: Phoenixville to KOP

103: Nonexistent

104: West Chester University to 69 St TC

105: 69 St TC to either Rosemont or 56th-City

106: Paoli to Rosemont

107: 69 St TC to PHL Airport

108: 69 St TC to PLH Airport, some service to UPS

109: Chester TC to 69 St TC 

110: 69 St TC to either Wawa Station, Penn State or Springfield Mall

[FLX9304]

Add 4 more more new XDE40s 3593, 3594, 3595 & 3596 to Southern District. As for the D40s, these are the final 10 buses operating: 8001, 8008, 8018, 8024, 8042, 8044, 8051, 8053, 8062 & 8070. 
 

Callowhill has 8 D40s remaining: 8075-8076, 8079-8080, 8083, 8085, 8088 & 8091

Frontier has only 5 D40s remaining: 8101, 8104, 8109, 8112-8113. 

[Ale188]

14 minutes ago, FLX9304 said:

Add 4 more more new XDE40s 3593, 3594, 3595 & 3596 to Southern District. As for the D40s, these are the final 10 buses operating: 8001, 8008, 8018, 8024, 8042, 8044, 8051, 8053, 8062 & 8070. 
 

Callowhill has 8 D40s remaining: 8075-8076, 8079-8080, 8083, 8085, 8088 & 8091

Frontier has only 5 D40s remaining: 8101, 8104, 8109, 8112-8113. 

Cool. Those are only 05-06 ones, cuz I keep catching the 08 ones

[FLX9304]

On 9/18/2023 at 7:57 AM, Ale188 said:

Cool. Those are only 05-06 ones, cuz I keep catching the 08 ones

Bus changes: 

SO: lost 3430-3434 to AL, lost 8070 to RET 

 

[Ale188]

On 9/26/2023 at 10:53 AM, FLX9304 said:

Bus changes: 

SO: lost 3430-3434 to AL, lost 8070 to RET 

 

Cool. I will try to do part 4 when I have time.

[FLX9304]

41 minutes ago, Ale188 said:

Cool. I will try to do part 4 when I have time.

Ok

[Ale188]

Part 4

111: Nonexistent

112: DCCC to 69 St TC

113: Chester TC to Darby TC to 69 St TC

114: Penn State to Chester TC

115: Airport to Darby TC and Ardmore

116: Darby TC to either Chester TC or Claymont, DE

117: Wawa Station to Chester TC

118: Newtown Square to Chester TC

119: Larkins Corner to Chester TC

120: Nonexistent

123: Nonexistent

124: Chesterbrook to 30th-Market

125: Valley Forge & KOP to 30th-Market

126: Lawrence Park to 69 St TC

127: Trenton TC to Neshaminy Mall

128: Nonexistent

129: Frankford-Knights to Oxford Valley Mall

130: Neshaminy Mall to BCCC

131: Audubon to Norristown TC (with realignment)

132: Nonexistent

133: Nonexistent

135: Coatesville & Exton to WCTC 

137: Broad-Oregon to Chester TC via Airport

139: Nonexistent

142: Exton Square Mall to KOP

150: Nonexistent

201: Nonexistent

204: Nonexistent

206: Nonexistent

310: Horsham Breeze (with some changes)

311: Nonexistent

BLVD Direct: Neshaminy Mall to FTC 

LUCY routes: Gold loop  Green loop 

Lettered routes: ALL Nonexistent

Not doing on-demand zones. But I'm done.

[B35 via Church]

Can either of you two suggest a good Saturday fantrip? I have been putting aside a good SEPTA trip for mad long, mainly because I either don't know where in Center City to start (I prefer fanning full routes), or I hate knowing that I have to take the dreaded NEC to get to Trenton (this is also a reason I tend to put off fanning NJT's 600 routes, but that's besides the point).... The #127 is cool, but quite frankly, I've grown tired of using that route as a gateway/catalyst to SEPTA land.

I have no restraints on start or end times, or trip duration; as my trips are usually long as shit anyway.... Curious to see what you come up with... Thanks, guys.

Edited September 30, 2023 by B35 via Church

[trainfan22]

19 hours ago, B35 via Church said:

Can either of you two suggest a good Saturday fantrip? I have been putting aside a good SEPTA trip for mad long, mainly because I either don't know where in Center City to start (I prefer fanning full routes), or I hate knowing that I have to take the dreaded NEC to get to Trenton (this is also a reason I tend to put off fanning NJT's 600 routes, but that's besides the point).... The #127 is cool, but quite frankly, I've grown tired of using that route as a gateway/catalyst to SEPTA land.

I have no restraints on start or end times, or trip duration; as my trips are usually long as shit anyway.... Curious to see what you come up with... Thanks, guys.

Have you considered taking an intercity bus service like Peter Pan or Megabus to Philly to avoid the NJT NEC? It's quicker and cheaper depending on when you buy the ticket. 

 

 

There is bus maps online of portions of Septa bus systems but they aren't as detailed as the MTA's bus maps.

 

 

 

 

 

Maybe this map can help you plan a trip since nobody answered yet.

[Ale188]

3597-3600, 3602 delivered to Southern

[FLX9304]

NFXDE40s 3252-3254 xferred from Midvale to Victory retroactive 9/29

Edited October 8, 2023 by FLX9304

[FLX9304]

On 9/30/2023 at 3:59 PM, B35 via Church said:

Can either of you two suggest a good Saturday fantrip? I have been putting aside a good SEPTA trip for mad long, mainly because I either don't know where in Center City to start (I prefer fanning full routes), or I hate knowing that I have to take the dreaded NEC to get to Trenton (this is also a reason I tend to put off fanning NJT's 600 routes, but that's besides the point).... The #127 is cool, but quite frankly, I've grown tired of using that route as a gateway/catalyst to SEPTA land.

I have no restraints on start or end times, or trip duration; as my trips are usually long as shit anyway.... Curious to see what you come up with... Thanks, guys.

If you wanna start somewhere, your best spots would anywhere east of 23rd and Market. On Market, you have Rts 31 & 44 (Callowhill), 7 (Southern) (for 2 blocks) 49 (Allegheny) (until 20th St).  124 (Frontier) & 125 (victory). 
21st & Market: Eastbound 48 (Allegheny Artic) 
20th & Market: Eastbound 17 (Southern artic) & 38 (Callowhill)

19th & Market: Eastbound 32 (Midvale) & 33 (Allegheny Artic) 

17th & 16th 2 (Midvale & Southern) 

15th: 4 (Midvale & Southern), 16 (Midvale), 27 (Allegheny) 

Broad St:  bus routes: 400, 401, 402, 404, 406, 407, 408, 409, 410, 412, 551

but if you’re getting off Greyhound or Peter Pan, get ready for this: there is 👎 bus terminal. All drop offs and pickups are  now between 7th & 6th and Market. 

[checkmatechamp13]

@B35 via Church I was going to recommend the North Jersey Coast Line to the #317 as another way to get to Philadelphia, but the first train gets there after the first bus already leaves. (The #139 to the #317 might be another option, though).

Also, for what it's worth, Amtrak has $10 fares to Philadelphia for the early morning (for example, booking right now for next Saturday, the 4:20am and 6:02am trains out of NY Penn are $10). I think it's something like anytime from 7pm to 7am is considered overnight, and qualifies for the $10 fare. (Unfortunately, the only route that starts there is the #30, which doesn't leave until 9:33am on Saturdays)

In any case, as far as buses actually starting/terminating in Center City, you have:

* The #23 to Germantown/Chestnut Hill which starts at 11th & Market

* The #44 to Ardmore which starts at 5th & Market (first bus out of there is 9am...first bus out of there that serves Narbeth station is 9:31am on Saturdays)

* The #38 to Wissahickon which starts at 5th & Market (this one starts at 6:40am). 

* The #17/21/33/42 which start at Penn's Landing all the way by the waterfront (the #21/42 go towards West Philly, with the #21 going all the way out to 69th Street...the #17/33 are essentially each other's counterparts along 19th/20th Street, with the #17 going towards South Philly while the #33 goes towards North Philly).

* The #5 to Frankford and #48 to North Philly (27th & Alleghany) which start at Front & Market (on the non-waterfront side of the highway)

* The #61 to Manayunk and #62 to Andorra which start at 9th & Market. 

* The #12 to Kingsessing which starts at Dock & Front (a couple of blocks west from Penn's Landing, essentially directly over the highway)

* The #9 to Andorra which starts at 4th & Walnut

* The #16/31/124/125 which start at City Hall

* The #45 to South Philly which starts at 12th & Noble (which is north of Center City, but not too far from the NJT stop at Vine & 12th...basically you just cross the highway and walk up a few blocks to catch the bus at the terminal, since it runs down 12th Street)

So coming into Center City, a good trip might be #23 to Chestnut Hill, L to Olney, hop on the Broad Street Line for one stop to Fern Rock Transportation Center to catch the #70 to Torresdale & Cottman, #56 to 23rd & Venango, #33 to Penn's Landing, #17 to Oregon Avenue, G to Baltimore Avenue, walk to 60th Street for the #46 to 63rd & Malverne, #65 to 69th Street station, #21 to Penn's Landing and then start heading home from there.

 

[NBTA]

1 hour ago, checkmatechamp13 said:

@B35 via Church I was going to recommend the North Jersey Coast Line to the #317 as another way to get to Philadelphia, but the first train gets there after the first bus already leaves. (The #139 to the #317 might be another option, though).

Also, for what it's worth, Amtrak has $10 fares to Philadelphia for the early morning (for example, booking right now for next Saturday, the 4:20am and 6:02am trains out of NY Penn are $10). I think it's something like anytime from 7pm to 7am is considered overnight, and qualifies for the $10 fare. (Unfortunately, the only route that starts there is the #30, which doesn't leave until 9:33am on Saturdays)

In any case, as far as buses actually starting/terminating in Center City, you have:

* The #23 to Germantown/Chestnut Hill which starts at 11th & Market

* The #44 to Ardmore which starts at 5th & Market (first bus out of there is 9am...first bus out of there that serves Narbeth station is 9:31am on Saturdays)

* The #38 to Wissahickon which starts at 5th & Market (this one starts at 6:40am). 

* The #17/21/33/42 which start at Penn's Landing all the way by the waterfront (the #21/42 go towards West Philly, with the #21 going all the way out to 69th Street...the #17/33 are essentially each other's counterparts along 19th/20th Street, with the #17 going towards South Philly while the #33 goes towards North Philly).

* The #5 to Frankford and #48 to North Philly (27th & Alleghany) which start at Front & Market (on the non-waterfront side of the highway)

* The #61 to Manayunk and #62 to Andorra which start at 9th & Market. 

* The #12 to Kingsessing which starts at Dock & Front (a couple of blocks west from Penn's Landing, essentially directly over the highway)

* The #9 to Andorra which starts at 4th & Walnut

* The #16/31/124/125 which start at City Hall

* The #45 to South Philly which starts at 12th & Noble (which is north of Center City, but not too far from the NJT stop at Vine & 12th...basically you just cross the highway and walk up a few blocks to catch the bus at the terminal, since it runs down 12th Street)

So coming into Center City, a good trip might be #23 to Chestnut Hill, L to Olney, hop on the Broad Street Line for one stop to Fern Rock Transportation Center to catch the #70 to Torresdale & Cottman, #56 to 23rd & Venango, #33 to Penn's Landing, #17 to Oregon Avenue, G to Baltimore Avenue, walk to 60th Street for the #46 to 63rd & Malverne, #65 to 69th Street station, #21 to Penn's Landing and then start heading home from there.

 

I had a run on the 21, man he was flying, one of the ZF D40s too, didn’t expect him to be moving on a packed bus like that.

[B35 via Church]

On 10/1/2023 at 12:10 PM, trainfan22 said:

Have you considered taking an intercity bus service like Peter Pan or Megabus to Philly to avoid the NJT NEC? It's quicker and cheaper depending on when you buy the ticket.

Albeit many years ago, I did Greyhound to Philly twice.... Had a not so favorable experience both times.

Megabus I refuse to embark on.... Peter Pan I never tried/considered; might try them out....

Good lookin out, fam.

5 hours ago, FLX9304 said:

If you wanna start somewhere, your best spots would anywhere east of 23rd and Market. On Market, you have Rts 31 & 44 (Callowhill), 7 (Southern) (for 2 blocks) 49 (Allegheny) (until 20th St).  124 (Frontier) & 125 (victory). 
21st & Market: Eastbound 48 (Allegheny Artic) 
20th & Market: Eastbound 17 (Southern artic) & 38 (Callowhill)

19th & Market: Eastbound 32 (Midvale) & 33 (Allegheny Artic) 

17th & 16th 2 (Midvale & Southern) 

15th: 4 (Midvale & Southern), 16 (Midvale), 27 (Allegheny) 

Broad St:  bus routes: 400, 401, 402, 404, 406, 407, 408, 409, 410, 412, 551

but if you’re getting off Greyhound or Peter Pan, get ready for this: there is 👎 bus terminal. All drop offs and pickups are  now between 7th & 6th and Market. 

Yep, well aware of my NJT options & the fact that the Greyhound terminal's gone kaput.... I'm assuming what you have in parentheses are supposed to be bus depots/garages.... Nonetheless, thanks for the suggestions.

1 hour ago, checkmatechamp13 said:

@B35 via Church I was going to recommend the North Jersey Coast Line to the #317 as another way to get to Philadelphia, but the first train gets there after the first bus already leaves. (The #139 to the #317 might be another option, though).

Also, for what it's worth, Amtrak has $10 fares to Philadelphia for the early morning (for example, booking right now for next Saturday, the 4:20am and 6:02am trains out of NY Penn are $10). I think it's something like anytime from 7pm to 7am is considered overnight, and qualifies for the $10 fare. (Unfortunately, the only route that starts there is the #30, which doesn't leave until 9:33am on Saturdays)

In any case, as far as buses actually starting/terminating in Center City, you have:

* The #23 to Germantown/Chestnut Hill which starts at 11th & Market

* The #44 to Ardmore which starts at 5th & Market (first bus out of there is 9am...first bus out of there that serves Narbeth station is 9:31am on Saturdays)

* The #38 to Wissahickon which starts at 5th & Market (this one starts at 6:40am). 

* The #17/21/33/42 which start at Penn's Landing all the way by the waterfront (the #21/42 go towards West Philly, with the #21 going all the way out to 69th Street...the #17/33 are essentially each other's counterparts along 19th/20th Street, with the #17 going towards South Philly while the #33 goes towards North Philly).

* The #5 to Frankford and #48 to North Philly (27th & Alleghany) which start at Front & Market (on the non-waterfront side of the highway)

* The #61 to Manayunk and #62 to Andorra which start at 9th & Market. 

* The #12 to Kingsessing which starts at Dock & Front (a couple of blocks west from Penn's Landing, essentially directly over the highway)

* The #9 to Andorra which starts at 4th & Walnut

* The #16/31/124/125 which start at City Hall

* The #45 to South Philly which starts at 12th & Noble (which is north of Center City, but not too far from the NJT stop at Vine & 12th...basically you just cross the highway and walk up a few blocks to catch the bus at the terminal, since it runs down 12th Street)

So coming into Center City, a good trip might be #23 to Chestnut Hill, L to Olney, hop on the Broad Street Line for one stop to Fern Rock Transportation Center to catch the #70 to Torresdale & Cottman, #56 to 23rd & Venango, #33 to Penn's Landing, #17 to Oregon Avenue, G to Baltimore Avenue, walk to 60th Street for the #46 to 63rd & Malverne, #65 to 69th Street station, #21 to Penn's Landing and then start heading home from there.

I've done the #139 to the #317 in the morning several times (that's that 7:30 #139 trip that gets you to Lakewood to where you're sitting there for about a 1/2 hour before that #317 arrives, that gets you to Philly a little after 12..... For the purpose of riding a bunch of SEPTA routes, I'd like to get to Philly earlier than that) , but for some reason, I like taking the later #317 trips towards Lakewood & Asbury, more than I do the morning trips towards Philly..... Of my South Jersey/Philly trips that aren't closed out with the #409 to the NEC, I do the #317 - #139 (full knowing I'm never out of the woods with the #139, given its service span).... I don't think I've ever closed out a South Jersey/Philly trip doing the #551 down to AC for the #319 back to NY (if I did, it was a lonnng ass time ago... lol)..... I refrain from that, for the simple reason of avoiding those late night crowds seeking #319's....

I think I'm going to try out Peter Pan (as @trainfan22 mentioned) before bothering with Amtrak & see how that goes....

Albeit not the full route for either, I've taken the #17 & the 21 before.... May just consider starting on one of those 2 routes, based on familiarity & sheer laziness (in terms of planning, I mean).... IDK, but I have some time to figure some things out with a potential SEPTA trip, as I have something else planned for tomorrow (being that the vast majority of NJT routes are going to be on weekday schedules )....

In any case, thanks for the suggestions.

[FLX9304]

47 minutes ago, B35 via Church said:

Albeit many years ago, I did Greyhound to Philly twice.... Had a not so favorable experience both times.

Megabus I refuse to embark on.... Peter Pan I never tried/considered; might try them out....

Good lookin out, fam.

Yep, well aware of my NJT options & the fact that the Greyhound terminal's gone kaput.... I'm assuming what you have in parentheses are supposed to be bus depots/garages.... Nonetheless, thanks for the suggestions.

I've done the #139 to the #317 in the morning several times (that's that 7:30 #139 trip that gets you to Lakewood to where you're sitting there for about a 1/2 hour before that #317 arrives, that gets you to Philly a little after 12..... For the purpose of riding a bunch of SEPTA routes, I'd like to get to Philly earlier than that) , but for some reason, I like taking the later #317 trips towards Lakewood & Asbury, more than I do the morning trips towards Philly..... Of my South Jersey/Philly trips that aren't closed out with the #409 to the NEC, I do the #317 - #139 (full knowing I'm never out of the woods with the #139, given its service span).... I don't think I've ever closed out a South Jersey/Philly trip doing the #551 down to AC for the #319 back to NY (if I did, it was a lonnng ass time ago... lol)..... I refrain from that, for the simple reason of avoiding those late night crowds seeking #319's....

I think I'm going to try out Peter Pan (as @trainfan22 mentioned) before bothering with Amtrak & see how that goes....

Albeit not the full route for either, I've taken the #17 & the 21 before.... May just consider starting on one of those 2 routes, based on familiarity & sheer laziness (in terms of planning, I mean).... IDK, but I have some time to figure some things out with a potential SEPTA trip, as I have something else planned for tomorrow (being that the vast majority of NJT routes are going to be on weekday schedules )....

In any case, thanks for the suggestions.

Yes. Since  buses do not have logos, but the 1st number of the block numbers will tell you otherwise. But do take photos of the last D40s that are running (only 19 buses left. Then DE41s are next to retire, even though some of those have gone already as I write this 2 u. 

[FLX9304]

Victory is next to get the new NFXDE40 buses with BAE on them: 

3595-3600 & 3602 is at Victory as Southern has completed their first 70 bus attollment (3525-3594) 

[DCTransitFilms]

On 10/14/2023 at 12:55 PM, FLX9304 said:

Victory is next to get the new NFXDE40 buses with BAE on them: 

3595-3600 & 3602 is at Victory as Southern has completed their first 70 bus attollment (3525-3594) 

Saw 3599 on the 124 at King of Prussia earlier. 

 

Anyways does anyone have a updated bus garage roster assignment? 

[FLX9304]

1 hour ago, DCTransitFilms said:

Saw 3599 on the 124 at King of Prussia earlier. 

 

Anyways does anyone have an updated bus garage roster assignment? 

Philadelphia Transit Vehicles has the info. Their updated roster is as of 10/14/23

[DCTransitFilms]

54 minutes ago, FLX9304 said:

Philadelphia Transit Vehicles has the info. Their updated roster is as of 10/14/23

Happened to stumble on it by accident lol. But thanks though.

[FLX9304]

Change of new assignments: 3595-3602 is now assigned to Frontier. 3603-3609 is new to Frontier 

[Ale188]

3610, 3612 delivered to Frontier

[FLX9304]

Update: No 8000s in Southern

3613-3619 delivered to Frontier