SEPTA is expected to provide schedule updates Monday afternoon
PHILADELPHIA --The structural problems that have taken one-third of SEPTA's railcar fleet out of service could mean a commuting headache for thousands of New Jersey residents who depend on mass transit around Philadelphia.
SEPTA announced the problem with its Regional Rail fleet due to fatigue cracks on equalizer beams at a press conference on Sunday and warned people that the Tuesday morning commute could be challenging.
An update on train schedule changes is expected to be announced Monday afternoon during a 2:30 p.m. press conference. Those changes should reveal how New Jersey commuters who rely on SEPTA regional rail from Trenton and West Trenton will be affected.
Residents should also be prepared for additional traffic on roads and bridges into Philadelphia as some people opt to drive instead of taking SEPTA.
Here's what you should know:
- Traffic may be especially heavy on 95 South into Philadelphia and the Delaware River bridges. Additional parking is available for those driving into the city.
- Commuters can take PATCO, which runs regularly between City Center and southern New Jersey. It's a subsidiary of the Delaware River Port Authority, and trains run regularly 24 hours a day, seven days a week, except for 9th/10th and Locust, which runs between 4:15 a.m. until 12:07 a.m.
- Officials say the changes wouldn't affect the holiday weekend, but commuters should see changes starting Tuesday, July 5, including early and rush hour trains.
- The Broad Street Line, Market-Frankford Line and Norristown Line of the subway are helping with overflow by running regularly
- The upcoming Trolley Tunnel Blitz, a nine-day tunnel closure for maintenance and construction, has been postponed. It was due to start Friday, July 8.
Kate Mishkin may be reached at kmishkin@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KateMishkin. Find NJ.com on Facebook.