From the General Manager
Message from General Manager
To our Customers and Commissioners - September, 2019
STEWARDSHIP
Conrail Pole – In 2018 a Conrail train had snagged a cable, resulting in significant damage not only to a PATCO transit car passing through the area but also to our power and signal systems. Temporary repairs to the signal system and cabling were made at the time, with permanent repairs requiring extensive planning, design, and coordination. The final step to repair our infrastructure was the replacement of the pole, which was accomplished on Sunday, September 8 between 1 and 9 a.m. During that time, PATCO arranged for shuttle buses to transfer customers between our Ferry Avenue and Broadway Stations, with special train schedules for travel from those stations timed to match up with shuttle arrivals.
Lindenwold Traffic Safety – On a typical weekday, approximately 9,000 people pass through Lindenwold Station, more than any other non-subway station. Some arrive by bus, some by bicycle, some by foot, and some are dropped off by Uber/Lyft/taxis/friends or family; the vast majority drive to the station. PATCO has now installed three solar-powered flashing LED stop signs to augment other safety enhancements such as rumble strips and flashing pedestrian crossing signs.
This initiative is part of our FTA-funded transit enhancement program.
Elevators / Escalators
· Availability –We again met our goals in the month of September. Availability of all escalators was 96.67% for the month and 96.96% for the year to date. Availability of all elevators was 99.31% for the month and 98.63% for the year to Date.
· Performance of Preventive Maintenance - Monthly preventive maintenance was performed on all elevators and escalators in September. Note that the new elevator at Collingswood is under warranty.
SERVICE
Ridership – Ridership in September, 2019 was 939,904, an increase of 70,246 (+8.08%) when compared to September of 2018. (It should be noted that September of 2019 included one more weekday and one fewer Saturday than September of 2018.) Year to date as of 9/30/2019, ridership was 8,239,266, an increase of 256,036 (+3.19%) compared to the same period in 2018.
Celebration of PATCO’s 50th Anniversary at City Hall Station – On September 24, PATCO celebrated its 50th anniversary at City Hall Station. Each customer received a back scratcher and cookies or a soft pretzel. Customers including a cyclist spun the prize wheel to win pre-loaded $50 FREEDOM cards, round-trip tickets, free rides and promotional items. Customers also enjoyed free samples of Dunkin’ Donuts iced coffee.
The next 50th Anniversary event will be held 15th/16th/Locust Street Station on October 15.
On-Time Performance – In September, 2019, we had scheduled 5,766 trips. Our on-time performance was 97.18% for the month and 96.97% for the year to date. This is close to the 97.2% for September and 96.59% for the year to date in 2018.
FREEDOM Service Centers – In September, the Service Centers replaced 374 FREEDOM Cards that reached their 10 year expiration mark. In addition, 153 seniors (age 65 and above) and disabled customers signed up for the Reduced Fare Program, enabling them to take advantage of reduced fares during off-peak hours. Fifty-three (53) students signed up for a FREEDOM card, saving the $5 cost of the FREEDOM card by showing their educational ID. Furthermore, 145 customers signed up for the FREEDOM Share card and 24 “T” cards were issued to transit benefit customers.
COMMUNITY
Bike MS City to Shore – The National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s annual fund raiser kicked off at PATCO’s Woodcrest Station very early on Saturday morning, September 21. Thousands of cyclists gathered in our parking lot in preparation for a 75 mile journey to Ocean City, NJ, and many of them take on that challenge in reverse on Sunday, returning to Woodcrest feeling exhausted but exhilarated. The event raises millions of dollars to help those afflicted with MS both directly through patient services and through research.
Camden County College - PATCO and Community Relations staff joined Camden County College in welcoming students to the Camden and Blackwood campuses. At Blackwood alone, over 800 students had the opportunity to get a FREEDOM card without having to pay the $5 cost of the card itself and to learn about our service.
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