SEPTA's regional rail system back to regular schedule 2 months after defect found

Approximately three months after the transit agency had pull one-third of its Silverliner V fleet because a defect was found, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) resumed regular weekday regional rail schedules on Monday.

"We are excited to bring Regional Rail service back to the level our loyal customers expect and deserve," said SEPTA GM Jeffrey D. Knueppel. "We are grateful to our customers for their patience, and we sincerely regret the inconvenience this situation has caused."

SEPTA's fleet of 120 Silverliner Vs were taken out of service on July 1 following the discovery of cracks in equalizer beams on most of the vehicles. Equalizer beams are part of the rail car suspension system, and distribute the weight of the vehicle to its axles.

Repairs are ongoing, and vehicles are being returned to SEPTA as they are fixed. By Monday, more than 50 repaired Silverliner Vs will be available for service. The combination of repaired Silverliner Vs and SEPTA's other Regional Rail vehicles, along with leased vehicles from Amtrak, NJ Transit, and Maryland's MARC, will allow SEPTA to resume regular weekday schedules.