Philadelphia off-peak tram schedule

[h***@bbs.cpcn.com]

Hi all,
I was wondering about the time table of the Philadelphia tramways
(lines 11, 13, 34, 36). Actually, one might think: Great! 4 lines
on the trunk route between 15th and 40th street, so if each has a
period of 20 minutes in the evening, we'll have 20mins/4 lines = 5
minutes between trams there. However, to my observation they operate
like 18 minutes gap, then a 30 secs, 30 secs, 30 secs, 30 secs, 18
minutes gap and so on.

I took a quick look at the schedules (see www.septa.org) and it
appears the above observation isn't correct. Rt 11 and 13, for
example, each operate at 15 minute headways in the evening and are
staggered.

[TP]

Post by h***@bbs.cpcn.com

Hi all,
I was wondering about the time table of the Philadelphia tramways
(lines 11, 13, 34, 36). Actually, one might think: Great! 4 lines
on the trunk route between 15th and 40th street, so if each has a
period of 20 minutes in the evening, we'll have 20mins/4 lines = 5
minutes between trams there. However, to my observation they operate
like 18 minutes gap, then a 30 secs, 30 secs, 30 secs, 30 secs, 18
minutes gap and so on.

I took a quick look at the schedules (see www.septa.org) and it
appears the above observation isn't correct. Rt 11 and 13, for
example, each operate at 15 minute headways in the evening and are
staggered.

They might be scheduled that way, but I know that at least during peak
hours, they do operate the way Peter said. They seem to come in waves --
4 or 5 minutes of nothing, and then every one at 30 second intervals.

[Karen Y Byrd]

Post by TP

Post by h***@bbs.cpcn.com

Hi all,
I was wondering about the time table of the Philadelphia tramways
(lines 11, 13, 34, 36). Actually, one might think: Great! 4 lines
on the trunk route between 15th and 40th street, so if each has a
period of 20 minutes in the evening, we'll have 20mins/4 lines = 5
minutes between trams there. However, to my observation they operate
like 18 minutes gap, then a 30 secs, 30 secs, 30 secs, 30 secs, 18
minutes gap and so on.

I took a quick look at the schedules (see www.septa.org) and it
appears the above observation isn't correct. Rt 11 and 13, for
example, each operate at 15 minute headways in the evening and are
staggered.

They might be scheduled that way, but I know that at least during peak
hours, they do operate the way Peter said. They seem to come in waves --
4 or 5 minutes of nothing, and then every one at 30 second intervals.

Correct. The so-called schedule is pure bunk during weekday daytime
hours.

They come in waves. That's what I've observed over years of riding.

[Peter Niessen]

Post by h***@bbs.cpcn.com

Hi all,
I was wondering about the time table of the Philadelphia tramways
(lines 11, 13, 34, 36). Actually, one might think: Great! 4 lines
on the trunk route between 15th and 40th street, so if each has a
period of 20 minutes in the evening, we'll have 20mins/4 lines = 5
minutes between trams there. However, to my observation they operate
like 18 minutes gap, then a 30 secs, 30 secs, 30 secs, 30 secs, 18
minutes gap and so on.

I took a quick look at the schedules (see www.septa.org) and it
appears the above observation isn't correct. Rt 11 and 13, for
example, each operate at 15 minute headways in the evening and are
staggered.

Hm. According to www.septa.org->Plan my trip->Stops&Stations, the time
table for 36th street today at 22:00 is for the outbound lines

time line separation to previous/minutes
2212 36 -
2213 34 01
2214 11 01
2224 13 10
2232 36 08
2233 34 01
2234 11 01
2250 13 16
2251 36 01
2253 34 02
2257 11 04


Cheers, Peter.

[Art Clemons]

Post by Peter Niessen
Hm. According to www.septa.org->Plan my trip->Stops&Stations, the time
table for 36th street today at 22:00 is for the outbound lines
time line separation to previous/minutes
2212 36   -
2213 34   01
2214 11   01
2224 13   10
2232 36   08
2233 34   01
2234 11   01
2250 13   16
2251 36   01
2253 34   02
2257 11   04

That's the schedule, but trolleys don't necessarily run on schedule,
anything from a car stopped in the road, to a load of let's say students
unexpectedly boarding can delay a run. That can lead to delays. Also, if
no passengers board, a trolley can end up reaching let's say Juniper early
and then beginning the run back outbound early. IOW, don't ever bet on a
Septa schedule being accurate except for rail ones.