New SEPTA Regional Rail schedules will go into effect for the Lansdale/Doylestown, Media/Elwyn, Paoli/Thorndale and West Trenton lines starting Sunday, March 11. The schedule change accommodates overhead catenary wire replacement efforts, and rail and tie replacement projects, that will enhance safety and reliability. This work will allow SEPTA to maintain Positive Train Control (PTC)-enforced 70 mph track speeds on the Lansdale/Doylestown Line.
There will also be minor adjustments to the Trenton Line due to track work Amtrak is doing on the Northeast Corridor. While the impact on SEPTA customers will be minimal for this schedule change, more significant changes are expected on the Trenton Line later this spring as the Amtrak work moves forward. Details on those changes will be announced in the near future.
Customers should refer to the timetables for specific service information. As part of SEPTA’s on-going campaign to streamline resource use printed schedules will not be available in stations for the March schedule change. However, schedule information will be posted in Center City stations. Schedules are available for download at: https://www.septa.org/schedules/upcoming-march.html. Customers can also look for signage posted at stations for additional service and boarding information. Schedules changing starting Sunday will have the March 11, 2018 effective date. Those that are unchanged will continue on timetables that went into effect Jan. 14, 2018.
SEPTA encourages Regional Rail passengers to keep up-to-date on schedule changes with the official SEPTA App. The App will be updated with the new schedules on Sunday. Customers with iPhones should tap “Settings” and then “Update” to get the new schedules. Riders using the SEPTA app for Android devices should visit the Google Play Store for updated schedules.
Below is a summary of the main changes for the March 11 schedules:
Lansdale/Doylestown
Due to a rail and tie replacement project, shuttle buses will replace six midday inbound and outbound trains at Lansdale, 9th Street, Fortuna, Colmar, Link Belt, Chalfont, New Britain, Delaware Valley University and Doylestown stations on weekdays from March 12 through July 2018. Customers should make the bus/train connection at Lansdale Station for continued service. Shuttle buses and select trains will also depart at earlier times than previously scheduled.
Media/Elwyn
Changes include adjustments to departure times for three late night inbound trains due to overnight catenary construction on the West Trenton Line.
Paoli/Thorndale
Changes include adjustments to continued service on select morning and midday trains due to construction on the Lansdale/Doylestown Line. Schedules for SEPTA Bus Routes 201, 204, 205 and 206 will not change as part of the March 11 Regional Rail schedule change. Customers should refer to the bus timetables with the Sept. 11, 2017 effective date.
West Trenton
Due to midday and overnight catenary construction, changes include adjustments to inbound and outbound train departure times. Train #6301 will depart West Trenton 8 minutes earlier and train #387 will depart 4 minutes earlier. Inbound train #6313, previously departing from West Trenton at 2:54 pm will now depart at 2:58 pm, four minutes later. Outbound trains #6300, #6302, #6304, #6306, #6308 and #6310 will depart from Suburban Station 10 minutes later than previously scheduled. Train #392 previously departing from Suburban Station at 8:56 pm will now depart at 9:09 pm and arrive 13 minutes later at all stations. Outbound train #394 previously departing from Suburban Station at 9:56 pm will now depart at 10:09 pm and will arrive 13 minutes later at all stations. Outbound train #396 previously departing from Suburban Station at 10:50 pm will now depart at 11:09 pm, 19 minutes later between Jenkintown-Wyncote and West Trenton stations.
Saturday and Sunday service will not change as part of the March 11 schedule change.
The new schedules are also part of SEPTA’s overall plan to improve Regional Rail service reliability throughout SEPTA’s system. The Regional Rail Service Improvement Plan is available for review at www.septa.org .
Customers can also stay connected by following their Regional Rail Lines on Twitter:
www.septa.org/alert/twitter. SEPTA customer service representatives are available at 215-580-7800.
