Rail systems turn to infrastructure, tech to improve fare payment
SEPTA exploring all options, including borrowing trains
Meanwhile, Boston's MBTA is also inspecting some of its railcars manufactured by Hyundai Rotem as a precaution.


PHILADELPHIA — SEPTA officials were set to meet to discuss how to fill the gaps in its fleet, with borrowing train cars from nearby transit agencies like NJ TRANSIT or Amtrak among the possibilities, NBC 10 reports.
The agency took 120 trains — about one-third of its Regional Rail fleet — out of service for the immediate future after finding cracks in the main suspension systems.
All of NJ TRANSIT’s railcars would technically be compatible with SEPTA’s system, however, multi-level cars would be restricted to staying on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor for compatibility reasons, according to an NJ TRANSIT official quoted in the story. In the event of any lease agreement, NJ TRANSIT crews would need to operate the equipment because SEPTA crews are not qualified to operate the equipment under regulations. For the full story, click here.
In addition, after SEPTA found a defect in cars that were manufactured by the same company, Boston's MBTA is inspecting two of their older commuter rail coaches as a precaution, WCVB reports.
Hyundai Rotem manufactures SEPTA's regional rail, along with the MBTA's commuter rail, with 75 Hyundai Rotem coaches in the MBTA's fleet. For the full story, click here.
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