PHILADELPHIA | Schuylkill Yards Future Phases | 1,095 - 375 FT | 70 - 28 FLOORS

[jsbrook]

Originally Posted by Boku

Anyhoo, can't wait to see those redwoods!

Lol. Touche. Back to Schuylkill Yards. (Good points, though, PHL10. There are other options; my dad actually went to Central).

[mcgrath618]

There is a crane on site? I assume they’re using it to move the large stones they’re laying on the ground.

[iheartphilly]

Originally Posted by mcgrath618

There is a crane on site? I assume they’re using it to move the large stones they’re laying on the ground.

Have the trees arrived? If so, maybe they are using the crane to also place the trees in the huge containers too. Any pics?

[The Best Forumer]

so this is happening>

[mcgrath618]

The crane is gone, but they've started laying down brickwork

[GtownFriend]

Really love that there will be a major park in front of 30th St Station, rather than a large
parking lot! Transformative.

[Londonee]

Originally Posted by GtownFriend

Really love that there will be a major park in front of 30th St Station, rather than a large
parking lot! Transformative.

It's pretty great.

Still, I'd like to see more momentum for a transit hub here that includes the buses. I'd be interested in seeing arrival stats for buses vs. trains at 30th (not including SEPTA). I'd bet ridership is pretty comparable. We have thousands of people/visitors a day arriving in the city on a trash strewn wasteland.

[iheartphilly]

^
Yep, I feel bad for those waiting in long lines for the Bolt and other buses outside in the elements.

[Skintreesnail]

also, didn't they just sell the Greyhound lot to a developer? I'd think they'd want to get moving on a relocation plan so there's no service impact.

[Parkway]

Originally Posted by Londonee

It's pretty great.

Still, I'd like to see more momentum for a transit hub here that includes the buses. I'd be interested in seeing arrival stats for buses vs. trains at 30th (not including SEPTA). I'd bet ridership is pretty comparable. We have thousands of people/visitors a day arriving in the city on a trash strewn wasteland.

I'm not so sure they are comparable, an Amfleet holds 84 people while a standard motor coach holds ~40 and a double deck ~60. A single Northeast Regional carries as many people at 12 Greyhounds or 8 Megabuses.

In spite of that, I agree that a real intercity bus terminal in that area should be a priority. The project should include moving Greyhound and Peter Pan over from their Chinatown digs.

[nimshady]

Originally Posted by Parkway

In spite of that, I agree that a real intercity bus terminal in that area should be a priority. The project should include moving Greyhound and Peter Pan over from their Chinatown digs.

And building a skyscraper right on the greyhound site which is this weird deadzone between Jefferson (I still habitually write Market East first), Reading Terminal, and Chinatown

[Redddog]

So, the renderings of the park all have the roads on the north side and in between the park and 30th street station as part of the park. Is that really the plan and if so, when does THAT happen?

It seems like a huge undertaking.

[PHL10]

Originally Posted by Redddog

So, the renderings of the park all have the roads on the north side and in between the park and 30th street station as part of the park. Is that really the plan and if so, when does THAT happen?

It seems like a huge undertaking.

Not sure what you mean. Here's a still from the video:

[mcgrath618]

Originally Posted by PHL10

Not sure what you mean. Here's a still from the video:

I think he's talking about that thing on the bottom left. Looks like they're just making it a weird crosswalk-street hybrid

[Londonee]

Originally Posted by Parkway

I'm not so sure they are comparable, an Amfleet holds 84 people while a standard motor coach holds ~40 and a double deck ~60. A single Northeast Regional carries as many people at 12 Greyhounds or 8 Megabuses.

In spite of that, I agree that a real intercity bus terminal in that area should be a priority. The project should include moving Greyhound and Peter Pan over from their Chinatown digs.

?? Uh yeah I'm aware that a train is larger than a bus.

Only a fraction of the ridership alights at 30th.

The buses are generally non-stop terminus - PHL --> NYC eg. There's something close to 50 buses a day between Bolt and Mega on that route alone. Not saying total ridership is more, but it's comparable. And the outdoor, uncovered, non-amenitied setup that they have is brutal.

[mcgrath618]

Originally Posted by Londonee

?? Uh yeah I'm aware that a train is larger than a bus.

Only a fraction of the ridership alights at 30th.

The buses are generally non-stop terminus - PHL --> NYC eg. There's something close to 50 buses a day between Bolt and Mega on that route alone. Not saying total ridership is more, but it's comparable. And the outdoor, uncovered, non-amenitied setup that they have is brutal.

I really don't think you know what you're getting into here.
SO many more people take Amtrak or even SEPTA rather than taking the bus when going to or coming from NYC. The ridership figures would be nowhere near comparable. I also agree that a proper bus terminal should be a priority, but you really cannot compare Megabus and Amtrak.

[iheartphilly]

@Londonee, McGrath, et al.

I don't think we should underestimate daily usage of Megabus and Bolt Bus to DC/NYC from Philly.

The advantage of the buses of course are costs. Amtrak is pricey and geared towards more business travelers. I think each transit serves somewhat of a different market based on price points. And, a lot of working class folks (making min. wages or a little better) come down from NYC to work in Philly using these buses on a daily basis.

Found this interesting read. I quickly skimmed it. But maybe Londonee, mcgrath, and others who are debating it should take a closer look. There might be nuggets of info in there to substantiate each's claim.

The Size, Scope and Competitive Statusof Express Coach Carriers in the United States

https://editorialexpress.com/cgi-bin/conference/download.cgi?db_name=TRF18&paper_id=19

[mcgrath618]

Originally Posted by iheartphilly

@Londonee, McGrath, et al.

I don't think we should underestimate daily usage of Megabus and Bolt Bus to DC/NYC from Philly.

The advantage of the buses of course are costs. Amtrak is pricey and geared towards more business travelers. I think each transit serves somewhat of a different market based on price points. And, a lot of working class folks (making min. wages or a little better) come down from NYC to work in Philly using these buses on a daily basis.

Found this interesting read. I quickly skimmed it. But maybe Londonee, mcgrath, and others who are debating it should take a closer look. There might be nuggets of info in there to substantiate each's claim.

The Size, Scope and Competitive Statusof Express Coach Carriers in the United States

https://editorialexpress.com/cgi-bin/conference/download.cgi?db_name=TRF18&paper_id=19

I wasn't doubting that coach buses are important (I think that Bieber going under is a shame), but the article compares the two by saying that the buses are 1/3 the size of Amtrak by seat/mile. I don't think that that number is at all comparable.

[McBane]

Originally Posted by iheartphilly

And, a lot of working class folks (making min. wages or a little better) come down from NYC to work in Philly using these buses on a daily basis.

I didn't want to interject in this discussion but I was intrigued by this little nugget. Is there really a sizeable portion of lower income people from NYC working in Philly? It doesn't seem to make sense that people making so little would commute from high-cost NY to low-cost Philly. I know there are lots of creative types living in Philly, to take advantage of the lower cost of living, and commuting to NYC. But the other way around?

[iheartphilly]

^
From what I hear, the folks are in the non-glamorous service sector trying to earn a living making low wages. Not artists or anything like that.