SEPTA Regional Rail Faces Delays, Suspensions Due to Safety Inspections

PHILADELPHIA, PA – The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has suspended its Regional Rail lines again due to ongoing signal power issues that caused service disruptions earlier Thursday. Around 1 p.m., a SEPTA spokesperson announced that the signal power had been restored and that service would resume shortly. However, by 2:36 p.m., service was once again suspended, this time related to an issue with PECO, the local utility company.

As a result of these disruptions, passengers were urged to seek alternate routes. SEPTA has not provided a timeline for when service will resume. Riders at the Trenton Transit Center faced confusion, with staff advising them to consider using Amtrak services into Philadelphia.

Earlier this week, SEPTA had already been grappling with issues stemming from the inspection of many Silverliner IV railcars, ordered by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) after multiple fire incidents. The FRA’s emergency order mandated enhanced inspections of these older railcars, which make up a significant portion of SEPTA’s fleet.

A SEPTA representative confirmed that the agency had to remove some railcars from service for safety reasons, and advised passengers to expect cancellations, delays, and overcrowding in the upcoming days. Barbara Ochester, a commuter, described a frustrating experience when her train was canceled and the next was packed with riders.

Despite the issues affecting Regional Rail, SEPTA’s subway lines—including the Broad Street and Market-Frankford lines—were reportedly running on time, providing some relief to riders during the ongoing disruptions.

SEPTA officials are working to resolve the issues while ensuring passenger safety. Each of the Silverliner IV trains will undergo point-by-point inspections as part of this process. The agency has pulled approximately 225 of its railcars from service, highlighting the urgency of their maintenance schedule.

Speaking to the ongoing situation, Pennsylvania State Rep. Ed Neilson expressed appreciation for the NTSB’s proactive measures regarding the railcars and emphasized the need for a long-term funding solution for public transit systems across the state.

Currently, SEPTA’s updated advisory encourages passengers to use their website or transit app for real-time information and alternate routing options as the agency continues to work through its safety inspections and resolve these issues.