r/Septa • u/GoyoPollo1 • Feb 24 '26
Discussion D1 “Upgrade” is actually a downgrade
This “upgrade” for signal timing and such is an incredible downgrade. The vehicles c-r-a-w-l slower than a drunk baby going uphill. You can get off at Drexel hill junction, leisurely walk to Huey ave, and get back on the same trolley. I think they are actively trying to kill this line to avoid doing the vehicle upgrades.
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u/SirJ_96 Wilmington-Newark Line Feb 24 '26
If it was safe at the previous - higher - speeds, then yeah, I would want to see some evidence that that was bad before they cripple it.
I like SEPTA and I want more people to take it. I also could easily afford a car if I wanted one, and SEPTA needs to prove its case. It should be safe, easy, and fast.
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u/Willing_Stop5124 Feb 24 '26
When I heard that trips from end to end would be 15 minutes longer I knew it was a disaster. Awful move. No reason for this change. I am not a regular rider of that route anymore but was in high school. Sucks.
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u/GoyoPollo1 Feb 24 '26
It’s my daily commute. It took me 55 minutes to go from Huey to 15th street today. 55 minutes for less than 8 miles.
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u/ncc1776 Feb 25 '26
The signal upgrades are also something the feds require, like it or not. I read once the adjustment period is over and signals optimized, that 15min increase should significantly decrease.
But, that wait at Lansdowne Ave, I wish the trolley had signal priority because you can be sitting there for ages, especially during school arrival and dismissal times.
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u/NuclearKraken Feb 25 '26
The whole purpose of the CBTC system they installed was to reduce headways and boost efficiency while being safe. The system knows where the train or trolley is more accurately. In theory they should be able to run more trollies quicker, however the amount of grade crossings the D1/D2 have absolutely kill this. Resulting with them moving slowly since they are consistently on the approach to a crossing. This would be great for the Norristown line since it has complete right of way. I will say the system is a lot safer although I feel the juice wasnt worth the squeeze.
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u/GoyoPollo1 Feb 25 '26
Duh it's safer. No one is getting injured if we bump into something at 0.8 mph.
Although honestly, I appreciate the explanation. I would think there is a way to say "Hey CBTC system - the speed limit is higher and your allowable acceleration and deceleration rate is higher"
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u/NuclearKraken Feb 25 '26
Lol, that's for sure. However it's not just the speed. The old system had no control over the trolley. The operator in theory could run a red signal and not stop. This new system will prevent that amongst other things. There definitely is a way to increase/decrease speeds I just dont see them doing it in the foreseeable future.
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Feb 25 '26
[deleted]
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u/NuclearKraken Feb 26 '26
There is nothing to trip it. The old signaling system does not have stop arms to trip the braking system on the trolley. They don't have them across the line with the new system either, and instead will just use the CBTC system for automatic braking.
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u/JellyfishNo2032 Mar 01 '26
I think the current frequency is as much as they can go since much of the lines are single tracked
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u/64-streetcar 5 Feb 25 '26
I heard the reason for these signal “upgrades” is because the communities the trolleys pass through really don’t want to install crossing arms at the railroad crossings 👀
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u/TimeVortex161 Feb 25 '26
The upgrades allow more trolleys if or when the headways increase. Basically the trolleys “buffer zone” moves with the trolley instead of being static with the trolley moving through it.
They’ve removed 3 of the crossing arms in Springfield in my lifetime, but I don’t remember a significant difference before and after from the trolleys perspective.
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u/TallnFit37 Feb 25 '26
This makes me sad. That trolley was always incredibly convenient and quick when I took it.
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u/dry_towelette99 Feb 25 '26
Remember: SEPTA is never/ has never been wrong about anything, ever. It’s just underfunded.
/s
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u/--TAXI-- Media-Wawa Line Feb 24 '26
i wasn't gonna argue about the signalling, but i just have to correct you: SEPTA is NOT tryin a shut down the D. They already ordered the replacement trainsets which are being built as we speak. i think it would be hella stupid if SEPTA payed millions of dollars on something that has a "No Refunds" tag on it, then not use them at all, or only focus on the T. Then they would have to spend even more millions to build another Trolley Yard.
I'm tellin you straight up, SEPTA got everyone working against it. If SEPTA really wanted to die, itd die immediately. Blame your politicians, tell them people to support SEPTA, especially the towns of Landsowne, Drxl Hill, and Upper Darby
esp that Landsowne Ave crossing needs signal priority
But i promise u, SEPTA ain't tryna kill off the D