Due to potentially treacherous road conditions resulting from tomorrow’s winter storm, SEPTA will to detour a number of bus routes early Thursday morning – a proactive step aimed at preventing vehicles from getting stuck on icy streets. In addition to potentially leaving passengers stranded, disabled buses can contribute to traffic back-ups that block roads on which snow plows need to operate.
Detours will go into effect at 4 am Thursday – unless conditions warrant earlier implementation – on routes 7, 9, 14, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 31, 33, 38, 40, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 53, 55, 57, 58, 65, 70, 73, 84, 88, G, H, XH, J, K, L, 92, 94, 95, 97, 99, 103, 104, 107, 110, 112, 115, 117, 118, 119, 124, 125, 126 and 139. The adjustments will be made in areas that are hilly or have other characteristics that cause difficulty during winter storms.
Detailed detour information, including specific adjustments for each route, will be posted before the start of service Thursday morning on the System Status section of the SEPTA website at https://www.septa.org/realtime/status/system-status.shtml. System Status will also have real-time updates for all modes of SEPTA travel throughout the storm.
SEPTA will hold a media briefing at 6 am Thursday at SEPTA headquarters to provide a status report on service and travel conditions.
In addition to hazardous conditions on roads, sidewalks and other areas customers regularly use, the build-up of snow and ice on rails and overhead power lines could create unsafe conditions and lead to service disruptions throughout the transit system. SEPTA is taking a number of preventative measures to keep as much service as possible in-tact on Thursday.
SEPTA personnel will monitor conditions along rail and trolley lines throughout the storm to spot potential problem areas. In addition, after the end of regular customer service tonight, SEPTA will run pilot trains on Regional Rail lines, trolley routes and the Norristown High Speed Line. This practice helps prevent ice from accumulating on rails and the overhead wires and third-rail power systems. SEPTA will also have crews with ice-removal equipment positioned throughout the system to combat the storm.
The Market-Frankford Line and the Broad Street Line – SEPTA’s two busiest routes – will operate with train service overnight, rather than switch to Night Owl Bus service between 12:30 am – 5:30 am as scheduled. This will keep additional buses off potentially icy roads, and help with efforts to continue service on these vital transit arteries. Also, trains will be stored in subway tunnels overnight to keep them out of the elements and ready for the morning commute.
For more information and service updates, visit www.septa.org. SEPTA Customer Service representatives will also be available by phone at (215) 580-7800 starting at 5 am Thursday.
