The SEPTA Airport Line Regional Rail train is not currently running, and other heavily-used trains in Southwest Philly are affected as well due to repairs currently in progress.
“The Southwest Connection Improvement Program was made possible, thanks to Pennsylvania Act 89, which provides capital funds for critical transportation infrastructure projects across the Commonwealth,” SEPTA General Manager Jeff Knueppel said. “Portions of this track area date back to the 1830s.”
SEPTA kicked off the Southwest Connection Improvement Program on Aug. 4 to rebuild infrastructure between 30th Street Station and Arsenal Interlocking, just below University City station. Some sections of SEPTA infrastructure in this area are more than 80 years old. The mainline infrastructure for the Media/Elwyn Line is also being rebuilt.
“While SEPTA has a rigorous inspection and maintenance program, the last significant capital investment in this area was made by Conrail and Amtrak in the mid-1980’s, in advance of the opening of the Airport Line,” SEPTA said of the project. “The infrastructure continues to age.”
While the upgrades are good news for commuters in the long term, in the short term it means service changes and the SEPTA Airport Line Regional Rail being halted totally replaced with shuttle buses to all Airport terminals.
SEPTA airport line changes and more
Shuttle buses are currently filling in for service between all Airport terminals, Eastwick and 30th Street Station, SEPTA said.
SEPTA said it is planning inspection and heavy maintenance all along the Airport Line track area, including “debris removal, brush cutting, painting, and bridge inspection.”
The Media/Elwyn and Wilmington/Newark Regional Rail lines are also affected by the repairs.
Media/Elwyn line service is currently not beginning until the 49th Street Station. Shuttle buses are available to transport passengers to 49th Street from 30th Street Station and University City Station.
The Wilmington/Newark line will only run from 30th Street Station, with no service through Suburban, Jefferson or Temple stations.
Express service will not be offered on these trains during the project.
Passengers are urged to plan for additional delays, particularly as shuttle buses to the Airport on Thursdays and Fridays will be competing with vacationers traveling to the Shore. SEPTA shuttle bus drivers are prepared to take alternate routes in the event of delays. The current repair work is set to be completed by Aug. 19.
Visit septa.org for the most up-to-date information on system delays and changes.
