Philadelphia commuters will soon see more seats and standing room on the region’s rail network as SEPTA moves forward with a major overhaul of 24 newly acquired railcars from Canada. The cars, originally built for the EXO Transit system in Montreal, arrived last month after a 400‑mile journey and are now undergoing a series of upgrades to meet federal safety standards and local operating requirements.
Upgrades focus on safety and compatibility
Greg Buzby, SEPTA’s chief officer of rail, explained that the first phase of work centers on compliance with federal regulations, including emergency‑light testing and the installation of positive train control (PTC) systems. “It’s mostly about complying with federal regulations. We have to do emergency light testing,” Buzby said.
In addition to the safety upgrades, SEPTA crews are adjusting door heights so the new cars line up with existing platform levels across the system. This ensures a smooth boarding experience for passengers at every station.
Training a large workforce
The agency is also preparing its workforce for the new equipment. “Once we get the cars operational, we have to train all of our people to operate them correctly. That is no small task when you have over 200 engineers,” Buzby noted. The extensive training program will cover everything from PTC operation to the nuances of the updated door mechanisms.
Capacity gains for a growing ridership
SEPTA General Manager Scott Sauer highlighted the practical benefits of the additional cars. “We’ve been struggling to get the number of cars out on the line that we need to get out. This gives us some additional capacity,” he said. The agency estimates that each car will seat an extra 60 to 70 riders, while new handrails will allow more passengers to stand during peak travel times.
With ridership now hovering around 80 % of pre‑pandemic levels, the extra capacity is timely. Sauer added, “One extra car means the difference from us having to bypass the station,” underscoring how each vehicle helps maintain reliable service across the network.
Financial prudence
SEPTA secured the 24‑car purchase for $8.5 million, a price the agency describes as a steep discount. The cost‑effective acquisition aligns with SEPTA’s broader effort to rebuild its fleet after a series of Silverliner IV fires forced many older cars into maintenance.
The new cars are slated to enter service gradually throughout 2027 as crews complete the retrofit and training phases. Their introduction is part of SEPTA’s larger “Accelerate” plan, which aims to modernize the entire Philadelphia transit system and improve reliability for commuters.
What this means for Philadelphia families
For families relying on public transportation to get to work, school, and church, the additional seats and standing room translate into shorter waits and a more comfortable ride. The upgrades also reinforce SEPTA’s commitment to safety—a priority for parents who trust the system to get their children to and from daily activities.
As the city continues to recover from the pandemic’s impact on transit usage, the expanded fleet represents a concrete step toward restoring the robust, family‑friendly service that Philadelphians have come to expect.
Original reporting: Allentown News – 6abc Philadelphia — read the source article.
