Quote:
Originally Posted by Skintreesnail
I agree that NE is pretty auto-oriented and light rail might work better especially if it branches out in the way that the trolleys do in west philly. The main trunk ROW could be down the middle of the Roosevelt Blvd. The one thing though is that would ridership be higher with a single heavy rail line that directly integrates with the BSL, or a light rail system that merely provides a free interchange? Not really sure. It's too bad that the outer two tracks on the BSL can't be easily converted to light rail; it would open the doors to a lot of usage if you were able to create branches off the main subway trunk similar to the west philly trolleys. The center two tracks could remain as they are as a heavy rail rapid transit system. The BSL is so underutilized if you take in account its infrastructure (a 4-track tunnel).
Should probably add a RR expansion out to Allentown/Bethlehem to the list. I think SEPTA is already working on an extension to Quakertown, but it would see so much more usage going all the way to the existing stations in Bethlehem and Allentown.
I'd also love to see some sort of cultural corridor usage of the city branch line, even if it's BRT. It could make sense as light rail though, terminal at broad street is right next to the old 23 trolley line that goes down 11/12. Or it could tunnel a couple blocks and re-purpose the spur, since it really isn't used/redundant to transferring at city hall. It just seems like a waste that SEPTA isn't using it for anything.
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Hellertown is a thorn in any expansion to the heart of the Lehigh Valley. I would like to see SEPTA restore the Stony Creek Branch between Norristown and Lansdale and service to West Chester , Oxford , Pottsville , 103 and 104 Trolleys....23, 50,56 ,60 trolleys.
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