Philadelphians who rely on SEPTA for their day-to-day mobility tried to make the best of it Monday without public transit.
But they are really hoping they won’t have to cope with another day of inconvenience.
“I couldn’t take my son to daycare and I couldn’t get to work,” complained Iisha Rosser, 23, of North Philly, who relies on three separate SEPTA lines for her 90-minute commute. “That actually put me in a bad place.” Rosser said she’s trying to look at the strike as a holiday to spend extra time with her 18-month-old son. But she doesn’t want to have to tell her employer that she’s not showing up a second day. “They were a little upset, but they know my situation,” she said.
One distinguished looking man with a briefcase and a porkpie hat trudging along slowly said he was walking back home from work. “At least it’s a beautiful day,” he said. “I just hope they’re not on strike again tomorrow.” Another man complained that his wife had to walk more than an hour to work.
“I can’t believe, can’t imagine, so many people can’t get to their job,” said Joyce Burd, 69, a Fairmount resident.
“My concern is that it’s not going to be resolved by Election Day, and I’m hoping and praying it will be,” she added. “It will really affect turnout, and we need Hillary to carry the state.” “A lotta people are gonna lose their jobs over this s—t, man!” complained one North Philly resident on Girard Avenue who asked not to be identified. “They shut the whole city down when they go on strike! “A lot of people waiting out here for the trolley don’t even know,” he fumed. “They can’t afford hacks [unlicensed taxis.] … They made some people get off the buses at midnight when they went on strike. Can you imagine, people being stuck downtown, having to walk miles home?” TWU Local 234 represents about 5,000 SEPTA bus drivers, subway and trolley operators, mechanics and maintenance workers in Philadelphia and its suburbs.
They went on strike at midnight Nov. 1 as their contract expired. Regional Rail is not affected by the strike.
SEPTA officials say they are continuing efforts to negotiate a new contract.
Below, see an informational bulletin released by the city’s ReadyPhiladelphia notification program after the strike took effect.
As of 12:01 a.m. Tuesday morning November 1, theTransport Workers Union (TWU) Local 234 City Transit Division is on strike.
This means that SEPTA City bus, trolley, trackless trolley, Market Frankford Line, and Broad Street Line/Broad Ridge Spur Line services are suspended.
Customized Community Transportation (CCT)/Paratransit, and the LUCY Loop will continue to operate.
Visit SEPTA’sService Interruption Guidefor more information regarding service interruption.
What You Need To Know
Commuters survive Day 1 of SEPTA strike and hope there’s no Day 2
November 1, 2016
Regional Rail lines are not affected by the strike.
oNon-city employees are encouraged to work with their employers for alternate transportation plans and strategies.
Parking
ThePhiladelphia Parking Authority(PPA)has amendedrates for PPA garages and parking enforcement indesignatedareas for the duration of the SEPTA strike.
Off-Street Parking
A flat rate of $10.00 for ten (10) hours parking will be charged in the following PPA garages from 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, November 1st through the end of the strike:
On-Street Parking