SEPTA Extends Weekend Overnight Subway Service Indefinitely
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- SEPTA has extended weekend overnight subway service on the Broad Street and Market-Frankford Lines indefinitely.
SEPTA said Wednesday that an average of 15,000 riders have used the overnight service every weekend between midnight and 5am. That's up, SEPTA says, from the 9,000 who previously used the Broad Street and Market-Frankford Lines Nite Owl bus service.
SEPTA says the Market-Frankford line showed the highest ridership, with an average of 10,000 riders each weekend. The Broad Street Line averaged about 5,000 riders per weekend between midnight and 5am.
The Transportation Authority says holiday weekends showed ridership peak more than 100%. Over the July 4th weekend, SEPTA reported 24,430 riders used the overnight service.
Passenger safety was another aspect of the overnight service that was looked at when determining whether to extend the overnight trains. SEPTA says safety issues have been minimal, citing a proactive increase in police presence.
SEPTA General Manager Joseph Casey says, "Late night customers have proven, by riding in record numbers each weekend, that this is service they want. SEPTA is proud to be part of Philadelphia's late night renaissance."
SEPTA adds that the overnight subway service is more costly than the previous system of overnight bus service, and the Authority is examining areas to reduce costs without compromising safety.
For more information on overnight train service, head to SEPTA's web site.
