Following last year’s harsh, cold weather conditions, SEPTA has released a new Winter Storm Service Plan to better accommodate customers trying to depart Center City during midday hours, improve service coverage and maintain service in the event of a winter storm.
SEPTA Customer Connection Team members will distribute 2015 Regional Rail Winter Service Plan pamphlets to riders at Jefferson, Suburban, 30th Street, and University City Stations on Wednesday January 21, 2015 from 4:00 pm. To 6:00 pm
Under the new Winter service plan, SEPTA has identified two possible weather related situations, Severe Storm and Early Exit, that will alter normal weekday Regional Rail schedules.
Severe Storm
A Severe Storm schedule will go into effect when the weather forecast calls for high snow accumulations, high winds and icy conditions.
During a Severe Storm Schedule the following service modifications will go into effect:
- Regional Rail trains will operate on a Saturday schedule.
- Wilmington/Newark Line service will be enhanced with service to Newark and Churchmans Crossing Stations (see link below for details). https://www.septa.org/schedules/rail/special/pdf/WIL_1.html
- Cynwyd Line service will not operate.
SEPTA will notify customers by 4:00 pm. The day before the storm if a Saturday schedule will be in effect. Once a Saturday schedule is announced, it will not be reversed.
Early Exit
The Early Exit service option will go into effect when the City of Philadelphia calls for an early closure of the Central Business District. In this scenario, SEPTA will shift resources and reschedule nine trains that normally operate during the peak evening rush. These nine trains which normally operate between the hours of 4:50 pm and 6:03 pm will instead operate between the hours of 12:00 pm and 12:40 pm
Customers should note that when this special operating schedule goes into effect and the nine designated trains do not operate at their regularly scheduled pm. Peak times, passengers who normally ride those trains during the evening peak period will have to take other available trains to complete their trips home. SEPTA will notify customers by 10:00 am on the day of the storm if the Early Exit Schedule will be in effect.
The following is a list of the nine trains that will be affected:
| Line | Midday Train #/Service | PM Center City Departure Itmes | Trains Not Operating if Early Exit Schedule in Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lansdale/Doylestown | 6500/Express to Doylestown | 30th: 12:12 Suburban: 12:17 Jefferson: 12:22 | Train #6576/Express to Doylestown Departing Suburban: 5:11 pm |
| Manayunk/Norristown | 6200/Express to Norristown | 30th: 12:08 Suburban: 12:13 Jefferson: 12:18 | Train #6248/Express to Norristown Departing Suburban: 5:05 pm |
| Media/Elwyn | 9301/Express to Elwyn | Jefferson: 12:08 Suburban: 12:13 30th: 12:17 | Train #9365/Express to Elwyn Departing Suburban: 5:08 pm |
| Paoli/Thorndale | 9595/Express to Thorndale | Jefferson: 12:05 Suburban: 12:10 30th: 12:15 | Train #9561/Express to Thorndale Departing Suburban: 5:08 pm |
| Paoli/Thorndale | 9599/Express to Malvern | Jefferson: 12:35 Suburban: 12:40 30th: 12:44 | Train #9569/Express to Malvern Departing Suburban: 6:03 pm |
| Trenton | 9799/Express to Trenton | Jefferson: 12:19 Suburban: 12:24 30th: 12:28 | Train #9745/Express to Trenton Departing Suburban: 4:50 pm |
| Warminster | 6498/Express to Warminster | 30th: 12:05 Suburban: 12:10 Jefferson: 12:15 | Train #6444/Express to Warminster Departing Suburban 5:14 pm |
| West Trenton | 6300/Express to West Trenton | 30th: 12:20 Suburban: 12:25 Jefferson: 12:30 | Train #6378/Express to West Trenton Departing Suburban: 5:14 pm |
| Wilmington/Newark | 9201/Express to Newark | Jefferson: 12:11 Suburban: 12:16 30th: 12:20 | Train #9251/Express to Newark Departing Suburban: 5:09 pm |
In addition to the above schedule changes, the regularly scheduled Lansdale/Doylestown Line Train #552, leaving Suburban Station at 11:45 am, will not stop at Link Belt Station. Lansdale Station will be the last stop of this Train.
*In addition to the above schedule changes, the regularly scheduled Lansdale/Doylestown Line Train #552, leaving Suburban Station at 11:45 am, will not stop at Link Belt Station. Lansdale Station will be the last stop of this train.
Customers are advised to check the SEPTA website, sign up to receive SEPTA Twitter Service alerts for their Regional Rail Lines, listen to platform announcements, sign-up with ReadyNotifyPA and to stay tuned for the latest service information. Riders can contact SEPTA customer service representatives at 215-580-7800.
