Philly Transit in a Perfect World

When I first moved to Philly, I wrote a post complaining of the ridiculously bad public transit here. Ever since, I've been thinking about places I wish had their own subway stops. Seeing this map of the possible future of the DC metro spurred me to create my own map of my dream subway system for Center City (click on the link to the larger map so you can click on each line and read the blurbs).




View Larger Map

This is obviously quite unscientific--I have no idea where the real demand is. I am certain, however, that it's not on either of the existing lines. The buses have to pick up the slack and, based on how crowded they are at off hours, I don't even want to know how bad they are at rush hour. Since the lines already meet at Broad and Market, I figured it would make sense for the other lines to interest there to make transfers easier.

This dream map also would make it a lot easier for tourists to get around by connecting the Independence Mall area to the art museum. And it might seem silly to have a line so close to the Market st. line, but Walnut is really where things are happening in both West Philly and Center City. An express bus, at the very least, would be a huge help.

A few other highlights: that tourist-friendly red line would go to the Italian Market and end up at the big box stores, including the Super Fresh and Target. Frankly, I think getting a DC metro stop in Georgetown, pipe dream as that has always been, is a whole lot more likely than any of these changes happening in Philly.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder...of the DC metro

Right before I moved up to Philly, the DC metro seemed like the last transit system I'd want to keep using, as a series of small fires closed down stations two days in a row. For that matter, I had come to dread my commute to and from work in DC, because at least once a week there would be some sort of mess. But then...I came to Philadelphia.

Philadelphia's public transit system, SEPTA, is the fifth largest in the country, but it's woefully inadequate and unreliable. There are blogs devoted to SEPTA's awfulness--riders can relate bad experiences at SEPTA Watch or print out signs from SeptaMadeBetter to post at transit stops because there are barely any official ones. It seems that the main problem is lack of funding, but I also get the sense that it's just poorly run. And don't get me started on PATCO, which I take to get out to New Jersey occasionally.

Granted, the bus I need to get to campus comes often enough, but then I have the joy of paying for my ten minute ride with a $1.30 token. Seriously, your choices are a monthly pass, paying $2 in exact change, or tokens. Finding a place to buy said tokens, then having to pay in cash and getting your change in dimes, is also lots of fun.

Oh, DC metro, how I miss you!