SEPTA Strike Guide No Real Help to Commuters
Transit authority offers "tips" for riders should a strike take effect
By VINCE LATTANZIO
Updated 12:43 PM EST, Thu, Nov 5, 2009
SEPTA sure is showing confidence in its labor discussions with Transport Workers Union, Local 234.
So much so that they've posted a handy Service Interruption Guide to help commuters navigate the region without the help of trains and buses.
"SEPTA is fully prepared with an alternate service plan for our customers," the guide boasts.
Yeah, unless you live inside the city. The guide suggests riders use Regional Rail and Suburban Transit as the "best choice for travel in and around Philadelphia."
Not sure if anyone at SEPTA noticed, but that won't really help you easily get from the Northeast to Center City. Or from South Philly to University City.
A strike would bring the Broad Street subway, Market-Frankford El and all city buses and trolleys to a halt. To make matters worse, the service shutdown could come during the Phillies World Series run.
That would cause thousands of fans who would have taken public transit to the games to jump into their cars as they make their way to the sports complex.
The union voted Sunday to walk off the job if an agreement with the transit authority wasn't reached in the next week. 4,700 bus drivers, subway and trolley operators have been working without a contract since March 15. They are hoping for increased wages, better pension benefits and guaranteed job security.
Beginning discussions between the two groups lasted only 45 minutes on Monday night. Talks on Tuesday and Wednesday lasted all day.
First Published: Oct 28, 2009 6:35 PM EST
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