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2009-06-14 20:36:44 UTC
WiFi on commuter trains? SEPTA looks ahead
Saturday, June 13, 2009
By Bradley Schlegel
LOWER GWYNEDD — Within two years, the cars on the Lansdale/Doylestown
R5 should provide a smoother, faster ride with amenities that could
include video screens and wireless Internet.
That's according to Byron S. Comati, SEPTA's director of strategic
planning and analysis. He also said the authority would own 460 hybrid
buses over the next four years.
The keynote speaker at Friday's annual meeting for The Partnership
Transportation Management Association, Comati explained that SEPTA's
priorities included, besides modernization, reducing its carbon
footprint by 5 percent each year and promote transit-oriented
development.
"Our train system is the envy of other cities throughout the Northeast
corridor," Comati said Friday at the William Penn Inn.
The agency, with an operating budget of $1.1 billion, provides 300
million trips annually, according to Comati. He said ridership, which
spiked early in 2008 due to rising gas prices, has remained at similar
levels so far this year.
The implementation of $191 million in federal stimulus money has
allowed SEPTA to complete 26 vital infrastructure projects, which will
help maintain the standard of living for Philadelphia and the four
surrounding counties, Comati said.
"They're not glitzy or sexy," he said. "But they all need to be done."
Most are invisible to riders, including three bridge restoration
projects on the R5 line, which Comati referenced in his presentation.
The decision to stop spending money in SEPTA's capital projects funds
on operation costs has permitted expansive train and bus replacement,
according to Comati.
He said the agency plans to purchase 120 Streamliner V cars, at a cost
of $330 million in the next 15 to 25 months.
The cars — similar to Amtrak cars — will replace ones between 40 and
44 years old, according to Comati.
"These are the trains of the future," he said. "They will have as many
amenities as possible."
Comati called the purchase price for 460 hybrid buses, $250 million,
over four years a bargain.
Buses that run on diesel are phased out after 12 years, according to
the administrator. He also said vehicles that operate on electricity
or compressed natural gas are viable options over the next five to
eight years
Partnership TMA works with local businesses, municipalities, school
districts and other nonprofit organizations to help reduce traffic
congestion, increase mobility and access to work and educate people on
the issues of land use, transportation, the environment and healthy
lifestyles.
It is based in North Wales.
URL: http://www.thereporteronline.com/articles/2009/06/13/news/srv0000005579955.prt
***********************************************************
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Will remain a FREE site with 2426+1/2 images posted.
***********************************************************
Saturday, June 13, 2009
By Bradley Schlegel
LOWER GWYNEDD — Within two years, the cars on the Lansdale/Doylestown
R5 should provide a smoother, faster ride with amenities that could
include video screens and wireless Internet.
That's according to Byron S. Comati, SEPTA's director of strategic
planning and analysis. He also said the authority would own 460 hybrid
buses over the next four years.
The keynote speaker at Friday's annual meeting for The Partnership
Transportation Management Association, Comati explained that SEPTA's
priorities included, besides modernization, reducing its carbon
footprint by 5 percent each year and promote transit-oriented
development.
"Our train system is the envy of other cities throughout the Northeast
corridor," Comati said Friday at the William Penn Inn.
The agency, with an operating budget of $1.1 billion, provides 300
million trips annually, according to Comati. He said ridership, which
spiked early in 2008 due to rising gas prices, has remained at similar
levels so far this year.
The implementation of $191 million in federal stimulus money has
allowed SEPTA to complete 26 vital infrastructure projects, which will
help maintain the standard of living for Philadelphia and the four
surrounding counties, Comati said.
"They're not glitzy or sexy," he said. "But they all need to be done."
Most are invisible to riders, including three bridge restoration
projects on the R5 line, which Comati referenced in his presentation.
The decision to stop spending money in SEPTA's capital projects funds
on operation costs has permitted expansive train and bus replacement,
according to Comati.
He said the agency plans to purchase 120 Streamliner V cars, at a cost
of $330 million in the next 15 to 25 months.
The cars — similar to Amtrak cars — will replace ones between 40 and
44 years old, according to Comati.
"These are the trains of the future," he said. "They will have as many
amenities as possible."
Comati called the purchase price for 460 hybrid buses, $250 million,
over four years a bargain.
Buses that run on diesel are phased out after 12 years, according to
the administrator. He also said vehicles that operate on electricity
or compressed natural gas are viable options over the next five to
eight years
Partnership TMA works with local businesses, municipalities, school
districts and other nonprofit organizations to help reduce traffic
congestion, increase mobility and access to work and educate people on
the issues of land use, transportation, the environment and healthy
lifestyles.
It is based in North Wales.
URL: http://www.thereporteronline.com/articles/2009/06/13/news/srv0000005579955.prt
***********************************************************
Stans Railpix railphotoexpress.com Store !!
http://www.cafepress.com/stans_railpix
www.zazzle.com/stanrail
Stan'S Railpix;-A-Rail-Photo-Gallery !!
http://www.trainweb.org/railpix
Will remain a FREE site with 2426+1/2 images posted.
***********************************************************