Don’t be surprised if you start seeing train cars from Maryland on SEPTA’s Trenton and West Trenton regional rail lines that run through the area.
Starting Monday, SEPTA will be adding train cars from Maryland Area Regional Commuter Rail (MARC) to the two lines that go through the Levittown area. The addition of the cars comes as a new schedule goes into effect and ongoing roadwork on I-95 pushes more people to the rails.
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SEPTA said in a statement that they have been working with PennDOT and the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission during I-95 reconstruction, which has caused heavy traffic on the highway during rush hours, to reduce congestion.
“We are encouraging commuters who normally drive on I-95 to give SEPTA a try during the construction project,” SEPTA General Manager Jeffrey Knueppel said in a statement. “The Trenton and West Trenton Lines offer convenient alternatives for drivers who need to get to Center City from Northeast Philadelphia and Bucks County. Instead of fighting the traffic, let SEPTA do the driving.”
SEPTA has released some details on when there will be additional cars:
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Trenton Line – AM: Extra Capacity for Inbound (to Center City) Trains
- One extra SEPTA Silverliner rail car will be added to trains 7220 (6:45 a.m. from Trenton) and 728 (8:27 a.m. from Trenton)
- Two extra coach cars will be added to trains 9724 (7:14 a.m. from Trenton) and 9728 (7:50 a.m. from Trenton)
- Two extra SEPTA Silverliner rail cars will be added to train 732 (9:53 a.m. from Trenton)
Trenton Line – PM: Extra Capacity for Outbound (to Trenton) Trains
- One extra SEPTA Silverliner rail car will be added to train 9741 (4:08 p.m. from Suburban Station) and train 9749 (5:26 p.m. from Suburban)
- Two extra Silverliners will be added to train 743 (4:34 p.m. from Suburban)
- Two extra coach cars will be added trains 9745 (4:50 p.m. from Suburban Station) and 9747 (5:03 p.m. from Trenton)
On the West Trenton Line, SEPTA will add two trips during both the morning and evening commutes, providing new options for current customers and those who make the switch from driving.
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West Trenton Line – AM: Two Extra Inbound Trains
- Train 3221, a five-car train, will depart West Trenton at 7:50 a.m.
- Train 6335, a three-car train, will depart from Neshaminy Falls at 9 a.m.
West Trenton Line – PM: Two Extra Outbound Trains
- Train 340, a four-car train, will depart from 30th Street at 3:22 p.m. Service to Neshaminy Falls.
- Train 2384, a four-car train, will depart 30th Street at 6:24 p.m. Service to West Trenton.
SEPTA said they have leased five cars from MARC to provide some flexibility among its rail fleet. On the morning and evening commute, SEPTA will have an additional 1,900 seats on the Trenton and West Trenton lines.
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In 2016, problems with the Silverliner V caused SEPTA to lease cars from Amtrak, New Jersey Transit, and MARC.
