Written by Carla Robinson
A coalition of citizens and agencies in Northwest Philadelphia working to keep SEPTA's local rail services running is now planning a new tactic. It's a $40,000 “community marketing” campaign to make railroads “cool” again.
“What we’re trying to do is create a virtuous cycle where more people ride, more trains run, and more trains mean more people ride,” Mount Airy Leader Ann Dicker said. It's about making it happen,” he said. Member of the “Save the Train” coalition.
“So we're going to advocate for people to take more trains and buses,” she said. “We know that ridership needs to increase both in the short and long term to restore the revenue we need to close the deficit.”
Ridership on the Chestnut Hill West and Chestnut Hill East lines is now down to 1,700 people per day, Dicker said. That number was previously 6,000.
And that's a big reason why SEPTA is facing a $200 million budget shortfall, threatening deep service cuts across its network, including the Chestnut Hill West and East lines and the 23 bus route . Gov. Josh Shapiro's budget proposal includes $282.8 million in new state funding for public transit, with $161 million earmarked for SEPTA, which Republicans voted Otherwise, it will not be passed.
Volunteers for the campaign will appear at various community events, asking friends and neighbors to pledge to ride the bus or train at least two or three times a week. Other cities have found that the initiative can increase ridership by up to 10 percent.
“We're going to have a great street festival in the spring and summer? We're going to have a group of volunteers help people register on the SEPTA app and pick up their pledges,” Dicker said. “Other cities are doing things like this, but we'll be the first community group to do it. So this is kind of a pilot project, an example of what SEPTA might be able to use in the future.” I think it is something.”
The group is also planning a Zoom community meeting with SEPTA Board Chair Ken Lawrence Jr., tentatively scheduled for Thursday, April 18, at 8 p.m. They will follow this up with a second visit to Harrisburg on April 30, where they will meet with other members of the public, transportation advocacy groups from across the state.
Also part of the coalition is Chestnut Hill Conservancy, Chestnut Hill West, Highlands and St. Martins. The walk is scheduled for Saturday, April 20th from 12:30 to 3pm, and in case of rain it will be moved to Saturday, April 27th.
This walk delves into the rich history and current management of three stops along the Chestnut Hill West Line. Volunteers from the Save the Train coalition will be on hand at each station, as well as guides who can talk about the history and significance of each station.
Each station is staffed by dedicated volunteers, including the St. Martin's Station Committee and the Chestnut Hill Station Native Gardens Group, who spearhead conservation efforts and maintain each station's landscape and gardens.
The “Discovering Chestnut Hill” tour and lecture series is sponsored by event sponsor John B. Ward & Co. Arborists and supporting sponsor Cawley Masonry.
If you have any questions in advance, please email Chrissy Clawson, Conservation Programs and Communications Manager, at chrissy@chconservancy.org.
