{"id":3121,"date":"2013-07-07T07:01:18","date_gmt":"2013-07-07T11:01:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/briansolomon.com\/trackingthelight\/?p=3121"},"modified":"2013-07-07T09:51:05","modified_gmt":"2013-07-07T13:51:05","slug":"septa-in-center-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/briansolomon.com\/trackingthelight\/septa-in-center-city\/","title":{"rendered":"SEPTA in Center City"},"content":{"rendered":"


\nPhiladelphia Transit on the Roll, July 2013<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"On<\/a>
On the sidewalk, SEPTA’s initials are set in cement. Lumix LX3 photo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Philadelphia area transit is provided by SEPTA. The city’s eclectic collection of routes and modes has its origins in the 19th<\/sup> Century. In Philadelphia\u2019s heyday, a myriad of railways laced the city and pulsed with passengers. One hundred years ago, 500 million fares were collected annually on Philly\u2019s streetcars alone.<\/p>\n

\"SEPTA<\/a>
Market-Frankfort subway at 30th Street, Philadelphia. July 2013. Lumix LX3 photo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Pennsylvania Railroad and Reading Company vied for suburban fares, and both railroads electrified key routes in the early decades of the 20th century. This\u00a0 foresight continues to benefit Philadelphia to the present.<\/p>\n

Sadly, while Philadelphia once enjoyed one of the most extensive streetcar networks in the world, much of this was gradually dismantled during the second half of the 20th<\/sup> century. Yet, a few key streetcar routes survive. Here and there tracks tell of past glory.<\/p>\n

I visited my brother Sean in Philadelphia in early July, giving me ample opportunity to experience SEPTA and its buses, streetcars, subways, and railroad operations.<\/p>\n

Center City is what Philadelphians call \u2018down town\u2019. While SEPTA\u2019s operations reach myriad points across the region, Center City is the focus of most public transport.<\/p>\n

Here are a collection of views of Philadelphia and its public transport.<\/p>\n

\"PRR<\/a>
The former Pennsylvania Railroad Suburban Station as seen in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in July 2013. Lumix LX3 photo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"SEPTA.\"<\/a>
Pedestrian entrance to Pennsylvania Railroad Suburban Station as seen in Philadelphia. Lumix LX3 photo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Pennsylvania<\/a>
SEPTA train at Suburban Station, Philadelphia. Lumix LX3 photo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"SEPTA<\/a>
SEPTA Silverliner V pauses at Market-East Station in July 2013. Market-East is directly below the old Reading Terminal on Market Street. Lumix LX3 photo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"This<\/a>
This mural in the old Reading Terminal depicts the station’s former glory. Lumix LX3 photo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"SEPTA<\/a>
SEPTA Silverline V heads outbound near the 40th Street Bridge in July 2013. Canon EOS 7D photo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"SEPTA<\/a>
SEPTA’s Route 15 Trolley making turn at 26th Poplar Streets in July 2013. Lumix LX3 photo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"SEPTA<\/a>
SEPTA is one of the last American cities to issue transfers.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"List<\/a>
List of SEPTA bus routes at a stop near City Hall.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"SEPTA<\/a>
SEPTA Silverliner IV outbound. Canon EOS 7D photo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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