Last December, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Corporation released a lengthy guide to the future of SEPTA’s trolley system, providing conceptual plans and ideas to make rides faster, more efficient, and more accessible to all. The goal would be to implement the $1.1 billion plan, including replacement of current trolleys with modernized versions, by 2024.

The project will increase capacity to meet growing ridership; offer system-wide accessibility for riders with disabilities in order to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act; build modern stations; increase safety; and replace an aging fleet of vehicles. The Trolley Modernization project is being designed and implemented by a collaboration of local, state, and federal entities, including the DVRPC, SEPTA, the City, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, and the Delaware County municipalities where trolleys roll through, among others. Ultimately, SEPTA owns and operates the trolley system.

Among the many upgrades will be longer trolleys to accommodate the increase in ridership. During the past two decades, trolley ridership has jumped 20 percent, and rises about a half a percent annually. Upwards of 100,000 riders use the trolley system each weekday — composing approximately 10 percent of all rides taken by rail in the city. In addition, trolleys are among Philadelphia’s busiest rail-lines: Five of the top 10 most heavily used rail-lines are trolley routes.

The existing fleet consists of 159 trolleys. The majority of the trolleys – 141 – were built nearly four decades ago and measure about 53 feet long; modern trolley cars are expected to measure upwards of 80 feet to allow for more passengers.

Speaker(s): Dave Warner,

Agenda:

11:30 am – lunch & conversation

12:00 pm – presentation & discussion

1:00 pm – adjourn

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Transit

Red Line 

Metro Center Station
Exit station through 13TH ST NW & G ST NW entrance.
Walk approx. 2 blocks North on 13th St NW.

Orange/Blue/Silver Lines 

McPherson Square Station
Exit station through 14TH & I ST NW – FRANKLIN SQUARE entrance.
Walk approximately 1 block East on I St NW.

Parking: Advance discounted reservations available at www.spothero.com

Location:
Room: Suite 1200 East
Bldg: American Public Transportation Association
1300 I Street, NW
Washington, District of Columbia
20005