SEPTA Loans Buses to NJ Transit

a note from SEPTA:

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) officials have agreed to loan NJ TRANSIT the use of 30 SEPTA buses. NJ TRANSIT was severely impacted by Hurricane Sandy when its light rail lines, commuter rail system and Amtrak’s Hudson River Tunnels, which are needed for NJ TRANSIT’s rail service into New York, were significantly damaged by the storm. This resulted in service suspensions across the State’s public transportation network. The SEPTA “loaner” buses will augment the remaining fleet of NJ TRANSIT’s operable vehicles and will support shuttle service for riders traveling from New Jersey into New York City.

When NJ TRANSIT asked for SEPTA’s assistance, SEPTA Board Chairman Pat Deon and General Manger Joe Casey did not hesitate to authorize the vehicle exchange. Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) Administrator Peter Rogoff telephoned GM Casey to express his appreciation of SEPTA’s support of its sister agency.

“We do not anticipate that this slight reduction of our bus fleet will cause bus passengers to experience any inconvenience or overcrowding,” said SEPTA General Manager Joe Casey. “I’m confident that our riders will agree that helping our neighbors in New Jersey, who have limited public transportation options, is the right thing to do.”

Each of SEPTA’s eight bus districts was asked to relinquish buses for this special mission. All of the selected vehicles have recently received a required 3,000 mile maintenance inspection.