December 30, 1999

  1. Optimize train staffing. Model commuter rail on the smaller, regulatory permissible, crew size of one conductor per train regardless of the number of coaches that comprises the train as Florida's Tri-Rail commuter railroad has operated for the past three years. This is just as the study's Project Technical Advisory Committee counseled at its November 9, 1999 meeting at SEPTA headquarters.

    On SEPTA's current commuter rail system, trains operate with one conductor for every two cars. The present system necessitates this due to the antiquated fare collection system. Without one conductor for every two coaches, SEPTA would not be able to collect all of the fares. However, the commuter rail system under consideration on the Schuylkill Valley corridor would invest in a proof-of-payment fare collection system thereby eliminating much of the conductor's work and permitting operation with just once conductor per train.

  2. Do not plan unwarranted service. Judiciously plan Berks County's early morning inbound and late night outbound service. There is inadequate justification for trains to arrive in Wyomissing much before 8:00 AM. Likewise, it is not cost-effective for trains to generally depart Wyomissing after 8:00 PM.

    In addition to an 8:00 AM Wyomissing arrival, SEPTA has planned 7:30 and 7:00 AM arrivals in Wyomissing. It appears that SEPTA is also planning late-night hourly departures from Wyomissing in the 9:00, 10:00 and 11:00 PM hours.

    Lightly patronized commuter rail trains are more expensive to operate than lightly patronized light rail vehicles. That is why particular care and judicious planning needs to be exercised when structuring a 62-mile commuter rail line. Not to do so is to subvert the alternative.

  3. Structure and cost the three-tier commuter rail service of Alternative 2D as an economy-saving two-tier service during the off-peak. This would route Port Kennedy locals via East Falls and Wyomissing expresses via Cynwyd. South of Norristown, the Wyomissing expresses would stop at selected stations between Ivy Ridge and 52nd Street.

  4. Reduce the modal disparity of the Wyomissing - Exeter travel time. Between these two points, SEPTA models the commuter rail travel time as being 46% greater than that of light rail, 19 minutes as compared to 13 minutes.

  5. Tabulate good faith commuter rail cost estimates.