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Calling Out SEPTA On Diesel BusesAn enterprising Philadelphian sent an email to my boss late last week remarking on a trip to Toronto. It seems in the city is known for more than just being clean; it also has electric trolleys. SEPTA, meanwhile, recently purchased 400 new hybrid buses, which run on diesel fuel. Our traveler went upon himself to inform Philadelphians of this situation in the best way possible (click to enlarge):
The text reads:
Mocking SEPTA is kind of an official Philadelphia Will Do pastime, and I have to say this is simply a fantastic effort — especially the placement of the ad. Five stars. Want to make your own fun? Here’s the flier as a .pdf. But you better print it out on recycled paper!! |
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Those electric buses still get their power from somewhere…most likely a plant that runs on diesel. Soooooo…
Yeah, I originally had a line about how the electric trolleys have to get their power from somewhere; I cut it I guess. Let’s just say they’re getting their power from some clean, renewable energy source, like wrung-out kittens or a bunch of rats on treadmills.
I agree with none of these statements.
First off, third-rate?
Please, 34,584,842nd rate maybe.
As for zero-emissions electric trolley cars, they are probably going to get power from a coal power plant and no doubt it would take dozens upon dozens of diesel powered vehicles to put in tracks.
Epic fail!
I agree that SEPTA sucks and that trolleys are the better way to go (at least they have the option of getting their power from a clean source). I find it a little unfair to target SEPTA rather than the majority of people who drive their own gas guzzlers everywhere. With public transportation, it is a little disingenuous to look at emissions from buses without dividing them by the number of people they carry. Imagine the impact if everyone who rode the bus chose to drive a car instead. Even if they all went out and bought Pruises (Prui?), it wouldn’t even be close in terms of per capita emissions.
You guys are missing the entire point. Sure the hybrid buses burn diesel fuel, but they’re burning less diesel fuel than the other buses. Albuquerque, Albany, Chicago, Long Beach, New York City, and Seattle operate hybrid buses or just ordered a large number of them. If hybrid buses are evil, then why are other cities buying them in large numbers?
MTA New York City Transit’s Department of busses is currently transitioning to an all compressed natural gas (CNG) fleet. As part of the MTA’s system wide environmental awareness policy, many of the new buses have also been hybrid or electric.
Many MTA New York City Transit shop facilities and some stations have also included green building techniques either as part of new construction or retrofits.
The MTA and MTA New York City Transit is striving to improve the environment by not only getting drivers off the roads, but in our own facilities.
All snark and no thought. Do trolleys run on pixie dust? Should SEPTA just snap its fingers and tracks will magically appear, free of charge?
I’d also add that Toronto is hardly the gold standard of mass transit - they replaced their network of electric trolley buses in 1992 with diesel and natural gas buses, and they’ve only managed to add one small line to their subway system while the greater Toronto metro area has sprwaled in recent decades.
Yes, hybrid diesel is an improvement over regular diesel and yes, high-occupancy buses are still cleaner than an equivalent number of self-congratulatory Prius drivers. This is not the place to rip SEPTA a new one, guys. There are plenty of better-justified complaints.
However SEPTA has existing tracks for the #23 trolley, which once ran from from South Philly to Chestnut Hill. If SEPTA wants to go greener, restoring electric trolley service on the #23 line makes sense.
Tom Boutell you must be one of these annoying trolley lovers.
The 23 trolley is not a good idea. Germantown Avenue is to narrow can cause blockages. In many parts, people have to go on the unkempt cobblestones which have never been properly maintained and create a safety hazzard.
Buses can pull over to the curb and go around double parked vehicles.
Money is being wasted retaining the tracks as part of the Germantown Avenue construction project in Mt. Airy. The job could have been finished a lot sooner if they were just gotten rid of.
Trolleys only work right when they have dedicated rights of way and on roadways that can properly accomidate them. Look at the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line in New Jersey. That is how to do it.
Stupid trolley loving morons.
They just don’t work in crowded conditions. Having delays due to them being blocked is going to be something that drives away riders. Go do us a favor and lick the trolley wire.
Hate it or love it, Hybrid buses are the new “it” in buses. SEPTA’s very content with their current order of New Flyer Hybrid buses and it’s no surprise that they would order more. Not only are they cleaner and cheaper to operate, they are a moving PR Statement.
What the idiot who posted the flyer is too dense to realize, is the hybrids are going to be replacing some of the worst performing buses in the fleet, the 1996 NABI 416’s.
Let’s not forget that SEPTA just purchased 38 Electric Trolley Buses for routes in the Northeast, or the rehabilitated PCC Streetcar that operate on the rebuilt route 15.
How about we do a better favor, and NOT keep up the fight with this moron and focus on something more important: Better Service.
D.Ness
I believe SEPTA purchased those new trolleys in the Northeast — the 66 is back as an electric trolley, right? — because the federal government was going to take away a grant if they didn’t.
I thought this was clear, but let’s just say it: I enjoy people tormenting SEPTA for all reasons, real and imagined.
D.Ness — It smells like SEPTA in here.
Is that you, Dick Baloney? Or Loser Diggs?