New Report Brings SEPTA’s Billion-Dollar Trolley Plan Closer to Fruition

A new report published by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission brings SEPTA’s ambitious, billion-dollar plan to remake Philadelphia trolleys one step closer, writes Jason Laughlin for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

SEPTA is hoping to introduce new trolleys with larger cars by 2024. A new report published two weeks ago, details plans for future stops with wheelchair-accessible platforms for the new trolley system that would be more like light rail.

“This is a game-changer for really an entire section of the city,” said Erik Johanson, SEPTA’s director of business innovation.

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The new service would make the distance between stops and platforms longer, changing from the current bus-like system where the trolleys stop at nearly every intersection. The current 112 cars that are 53 feet long and date back at least to the Reagan Administration would be replaced by 120 cars at least 80 feet long. This would allow for twice the number of passengers.

“I think the benefits are going to accrue the most to people who are farther out on the line,” said Chris Puchalsky, director of policy and strategic initiatives for the city’s Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems.

Read more about SEPTA’s trolley plan in the Philadelphia Inquirer by clicking here.

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