Federal official present $317 million grant to SEPTA
Money will go to replace nearly all of cars on the 13-mile MarketFrankford line
A tangible improvement for riders, that is what officials are saying a $317 million grant to SEPTA for new rail cars means for the region.
Federal Transit Administration Administrator Nuria Fernandez visited the SEPTA Transportation Center Car Shop on Victory Avenue in Upper Darby on Wednesday to present a federal grant for nearly 200 new rail cars.
“There’s a good reason why we are here at 69th Street today, and on Victory Avenue. This is a big victory day for SEPTA. FTA is providing $317 million,” said Fernandez. “I’m so pleased to announce how we are working together to make rail transit in and around Philadelphia better. Better reliability, better service, better accessibility and more comfortable, a much more comfortable ride.”
The money will go to replace nearly all of the cars on the 13-mile Market-Frankford line, which have reached the end of their service life.
Fernandez credited local officials for working together and the bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which has invested approximately $1.3 billion to replace rail vehicles nationwide.
In addition to SEPTA, rail programs in Baltimore and Chicago also received grants on Wednesday to go along with six projects announced in May 2023 totaling $1.5 billion in new funding for rail car replacement.
At least 70% of the rail car must be made in the U.S. and final assembly must be done in the United States.
SEPTA General Manager and CEO Leslie Richards said the grant is the largest single grant SEPTA has ever received, three times larger than any federal investment in the past. The second largest was also from the Infrastructure law.
“This is such a big deal for us,” said SEPTA General Manager and CEO Leslie Richards.
“This level of funding is only possible because of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. We so fortunate to have a strong congressional delegation here in Pennsylvania.”
Richards said staff is evaluating proposals for the new cars and they hope to award a contract this summer. She said the new cars will have a great capacity and reliability over the old cars, which are over 25 years old.
She credited the approximately 100 employees who work at the 69th Street shop with keeping the existing cars safe and operational.
Fernandez said a significant share of the region’s population and the region’s economic growth over the
past 25 years is located along the line.
“This is a thriving corridor that it serves and 9% growth as opposed to a 5% (growth) of the city as a whole,” she said. “University City is the second largest job center in the Philadelphia region.”
“This is what equity looks like, the SEPTA service that helps riders live their lives … even if they do not have a car,” the administrator said.
Fernandez and Richards were joined by local and state officials in touting the grant, which requires additional state funding.
Upper Darby Mayor Ed Brown said the announcement was fantastic news and a vital connector for township residents and visitors who are major users of the trains.
“A stronger SEPTA is a stronger Upper Darby, as public transportation is one of our most important assets,” Brown said. “A modern fleet of rail cars will encourage greater ridership, more visitors to Upper Darby restaurants, housing and entertainment venues.”
Brown said that would allow small and minority businesses to thrive.
Delaware County Council President Dr. Monica Taylor noted the new high capacity rail cars will service the 69th Street Terminal, which provides connections to 15 bus routes, two trolley lines and the Norristown high speed line.
Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon said it’s a great day for Southeastern Pennsylvania and upgrading mass transit infrastructure is critical after decades of underinvestment.
“The Market Frankford line provides a critical economic and social arterial for our region, it’s the busiest line connecting Delaware County… to Center City and beyond,” Scanlon said. “The current cars are 20-30 years old and reached the end of their useful life, they’re tired and increasingly prone to mechanical failure and system delays. SEPTA commuters deserve better.”
U.S. Sen. John Fetterman said the grant is a “big deal for Philadelphia and its region.”
“It’s a big deal for anyone who uses this kind of rail to get where they work, where they go to school,” Fetterman said. “It’s an investment in infrastructure that can change lives.”
He also credited U.S. Sen Bob Casey Jr. and President Joe Biden, who he called, “the grandfather of infrastructure here in America.”
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker seconded Fetterman that the grant is a tangible improvement for riders.
“It says that the people for whom this mass transit system is essential … that you deserve to be on a safe and clean mass transit system and this will make it a reality,” Parker said.*