SEPTA service inspections to disrupt regional rail

PHILADELPHIA (WPHL) — SEPTA rail commuters can expect rough travels over the next month as the transit agency pulls several railcars off the tracks to comply with a safety inspection order issued by the Federal Railroad Administration on Monday.

The order sparks from the NTSB report released last week citing railcars from the Silverliner IV design are a fire risk. The report follows investigations into five fires from this particular railcar this year with the first commencing on February 6 in response to the fire near Crum Lynne Station in Ridley Park.

“We’re going to take every precaution possible,” said SEPTA Spokesperson Andrew Busch. “We think we can keep service moving, but it’s going to be with delays and cancellations.”

About 225 of the 390 railcars will be systematically removed from service for crews to complete mechanical evaluations. The Silverliner IV railcars were first put into service between 1974 and 1976. The NTSB report stated that the design outdates federal regulations first put into place in the 1990s, and amended in 2002.

The absence of railcars will lead to crowding on major lines where the trains operate that could include Chestnut Hill West, Wilmington/Newark/ Warminster and Trenton.

“Sometimes if a train usually has six cars, it might only have four,” Busch said. “It’s not ideal, but it allows service to keep moving.”

Busch also said on Action News at 10 on PHL17 that SEPTA is looking into purchasing new railcars, but that process will take time and money.

Commuters are urged to check the SEPTA app and website for updates and alerts.