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It Was a Rough Day To Be a PATCO Passenger

2/10/2014

3 Comments

 
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Things started off relatively well for me this morning. Sure, it was a Monday morning, but I was actually ahead of schedule. I missed a train at Westmont by about 30 seconds, but no worries, I was so early I'd catch the next one. I hopped aboard the next train and even got a seat (I'm not one for standing on the train).

Then, the shit hit the fan. Just before the first stop in Camden my train came to a halt. The conductor got on the microphone and uttered something along the lines of "The train in front of us is broken down and to be honest I have no idea when we will start moving again." I appreciated his honesty.

About a half hour later, packed in like sardines, we began to move again. We arrived to a platform filled with miserable-looking passengers who had to get off the broken train and would now be forced to wait to be able to squeeze on another train.

You see, PATCO recently moved to a modified schedule due to track construction on the bridge. The schedule now has large gaps between trains at rush hour. Get used to this, it's a two-year project. So, already packed trains just got more crowded.

Apparently shortly thereafter, and I have no detailed information on this since PATCO hasn't released a statement yet, a passenger was hit by the train door or something. Our thoughts go out to that passenger and their family, hopefully everything is ok.

(UPDATE: PATCO spokesman Tim Ireland said the woman fainted while preparing to board the train and her head hit the side of the train.)

The work day comes and goes, and it's time for the commute home. Then you walk in 16th and Locust station to see passengers lined all the way up the stairs, waiting for a train. This time an engine shorted out on a train near the bridge, causing two cars to fill with smoke.

This caused massive delays as the passengers were evacuated from the train. Fortunately for myself, I was able to get a ride home from a relative. For everyone else still stuck out there I'm sorry and I hope you get home soon. Please be safe.

As for PATCO, it's safe to say a lot of people are unhappy with them tonight. They are handling this track construction poorly. Trains are dangerously overcrowded and outdated to the point of breaking down frequently, and elevators and escalators are constantly out of order.

3 Comments
Dan Aleksander link
2/10/2014 11:42:33 am

Both SEPTA and PATCO have failed to adapt. Whether it is construction, inclement weather or even a slight cold snap, public transit around here becomes more unbearable. I am reconsidering why I do not own a car.

That being said, this event you experienced ranks right up there with the ear bud incident.

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patcodave
2/10/2014 12:57:58 pm

well said broad street beat. to think patco over loads the trains to the point it causes motors to burn and catch fire and sooner or later people will be killed in a Patco car fire. Its inevitable that a disaster is waiting to happen. to the girl who a as struck...our thoughts are with you.

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Dan Aleksander link
2/11/2014 06:39:00 am

I wonder what would happen if this sort of tragedy occurred on one of the crowded els that keeps picking people up in the morning. It's dangerous to have so many people packed into one train but SEPTA just doesn't care. We have one of the worst public transit infrastructures in the civilized world. And I've been to St. Louis.

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