SEPTA officials are scheduled to hold a news conference at 2 p.m. on Sunday about the changes. Watch it live here.
SEPTA riders could see some big changes to their commutes come Tuesday.
SEPTA officials announced Saturday that the transit authority removed its Silverliner V Regional Rail cars from its fleet due to a “significant structural defect.” A spokeswoman for SEPTA told NBC10 all 120 Silverliner V cars, which make up approximately one-third of SEPTA’s Regional Rail fleet, are now out of service for inspection and repairs. She also said this won’t impact service through July 4th and the weekend/holiday schedules can still be accommodated with the remainder of the fleet.
“It is likely that this loss of vehicles will persist until repairs can be completed,” the spokeswoman wrote. “Contingency service plans for regular weekday travel are currently being developed.”
SEPTA will reveal more details on their plans for the days and weeks after July 4th during a news conference Sunday at 2 p.m.
Matthew Mitchell, the Vice President of the Delaware Valley Association of Rail Passengers and Chairman of the Commuter Rail Committee, told NBC10 he also spoke with SEPTA and learned more about the defect as well as their contingency plans.
"The problem with the cars is in the trucks which are the assemblies that hold the wheels and the axles," Mitchell said. "They found some structural defects in the trucks. When they inspected more of those trucks they found precursors to that potential structural problem."
While Mitchell said SEPTA's schedule for the rest of the 4th of July weekend won't be affected, the real impact will be felt starting Tuesday.
"It's Tuesday's rush hour that's going to be the big challenge," he said. "What we've been told by SEPTA is they're going to start with a modified Saturday schedule. All of this is going to be announced tomorrow at the press conference. It is likely that some stations may have shuttle bus service and some stations may have no service at all. It's also likely that passengers at the inner stations are going to get passed by because some trains will be full up before they get to those stations."
Mitchell said it will likely take weeks, possibly months until the SEPTA regional rail schedules are back to normal. He shared advice regarding what SEPTA passengers should do during that time.
"Know your alternatives," he said. "Most SEPTA stations have alternative bus or trolley service nearby. It's going to take you to the subway or the Market Frankford El. If you have those alternatives the first few days, use them because those will be your most reliable alternatives until everything sorts out."
Mitchell also urged employers to help out employees who use Regional Rail.
"If you’re able to use flex time at your work that would be a really good idea," he said. "We’re asking our members and other riders to travel before or after the main rush hour so that the crowds on the rush hour trains will be mitigated and you can handle as many people as possible. Employers, we’re asking you to give your employees the option of working at home or using flex time to try and help out during this situation."
You can learn more about the Silverliner V Regional Rail cars here.
Photo Credit: SEPTA
