New SEPTA Regional Rail Schedules Effective Sunday

November 27, 2007

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTA regional rail routes will operate with new schedules beginning Sunday, December 2. The new schedules include the continuation of hourly midday R5 (Paoli/Thorndale & Lansdale/Doylestown) service and significant service improvements on the R6 Norristown.

The new schedules are now available online and passengers will also be able to pick up new timetables at Market-East, Suburban and 30^th Street Stations and SEPTA sales offices.

Highlights of the upcoming changes include:

*R3 West Trenton – a new express train has been added that will leave West Trenton Station at 7:50 a.m. This train will make all stops to Jenkintown-Wyncote Station and then operate express service to Temple University Station and all Center City Philadelphia stops.

*R5 Paoli/Thorndale - Lansdale/Doylestown – inbound and outbound off peak train service will continue to operate hourly on weekdays during the midday in preparation for two upcoming construction projects in January. In addition, inbound R5 Paoli-Thorndale passengers traveling during peak hours should review the new schedules and plan accordingly as there will be minor service adjustments to five morning trains to better coordinate with new Amtrak schedules. SEPTA and Amtrak recently completed a joint project replacing the track between Overbrook and Paoli providing passengers with a speedier, quieter and more comfortable ride.

The new schedules also include a new express train for R5 Lansdale-Doylestown passengers that will depart Lansdale Station at 7:46 a.m. This train will make all stops to Glenside Station and then operate express service to Temple University.

*R6 Norristown – a new express train has been added to the inbound schedule that will depart the Norristown Transportation Center at 7:35 a.m. This train will make all stops to Manayunk Station and then operate express service to Temple University and Center City. SEPTA has also added extra cars to three other morning peak hour trains in order to accommodate increased ridership and alleviate overcrowding.

Ridership on the R6 Norristown line has shown constant growth with about 9,800 riders per day now using the service, an increase of about 100% compared to ridership in 1997.

Service adjustments have also been made to improve the on-time performance of the outbound R6 Norristown trains departing Suburban Station at 5:05 p.m. and 5:37 p.m. Additionally, the R6 train scheduled to leave Suburban Station at 5:15 p.m. will now stop at East Falls, Wissahickon and Manayunk providing another option for passengers destined to these stations.

All regional rail passengers should pick up new schedules and check for changes to their specific trains. Passengers may telephone the SEPTA Service Department at 215-580-7800 for all service information or visit this site.