From the General Manager

Message from General Manager

Report to our Commissioners and Customers - June, 2020

Response to COVID-19 – During this challenging time, we all must do our part   to minimize the risks and maximize health and safety.  PATCO continues to utilize special procedures to ensure that trains are cleaned and disinfected every day prior to being dispatched onto the main line, and we are routinely cleaning stations and fare collection equipment.  Hand sanitizer dispensers have been installed in all stations for our customers and employees; the dispensers are checked and refilled promptly. 

LCDs in PATCO’s stations and trains urge our customers to do their part.  We reinforce these Travel Tips with announcements on the train and a series of social media posts.

As a matter of policy, PATCO employees are required to wear a face covering whenever on the trains, in the stations, and in common areas.  To ensure that transportation workers receive the support they need during the COVID-19 public health emergency, the US Department of Transportation, alongside the US Department of Homeland Security, has been working with states, industries, and stakeholders.  FEMA procured cloth facial coverings to help transit agencies as they implement local phased reopening plans.  We at PATCO are very appreciative of the washable, reusable cloth face coverings provided through the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA).

SERVICE

Ridership – COVID-19 continues to significantly deter passengers, but ridership is slowly increasing.   June’s ridership was 155,922, a decrease of 745,226 (-82.70%) when compared to June, 2019.   Ridership year to date as of June 30, 2020, totaled 2,679,516, a decrease of 2,820,703 (-51.28%) compared to the same period in 2019.

We continually monitor ridership in an effort to provide the best service possible, especially as our customers’ needs change.  On June 8 we increased the frequency of our weekday peak service to every 15 minutes.  By June 29, ridership had increased sufficiently that we enhanced our service with peak time trains only 10 minutes apart and implemented a 15-minute headway midday.  This increased service helps our customers to spread out to practice social distancing.  We also have added more service for early morning commuters.  We will continue to monitor ridership and make adjustments.   We welcome our returning customers and look forward to additional positive changes.

On-Time Performance – In June, we had scheduled 3,872 trips, of which 8 were cancelled and 67 were late.  More than half of the 106 station bypasses related to protest activity.  Our on-time performance was 97.85% and our on-time performance year-to-date has been 98.02%.

Availability of Transit Equipment – PATCO closely monitors the availability of equipment to meet the needs of our peak service customers.  In June we had sufficient equipment to start every “rush hour” with a full complement of equipment to serve our customers.

FREEDOM Service Centers – The following services were provided to our customers in June.  In response to significantly reduced demand related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Service Center hours had been adjusted at the Broadway Station facility and the Center in Woodcrest Station was temporarily closed.

STEWARDSHIP

Bike Racks at Woodcrest Station – PATCO has relocated the bike racks at our Woodcrest Station from an area off to the side and outside the station to the spacious covered walkway.  This installation provides cyclists with a more convenient and weather-protected location to store bicycles.

In conjunction with this effort, camera surveillance was repositioned, and newspaper boxes were moved to make the area tidier and more appealing.

Elevators / Escalators

• Availability – Availability of all elevators was 99.70% for the month of June and 99.33% for the year to date as of the end of the month.   Availability of all escalators was 92.65% for the month and 96.42% for the year to date.  Although escalator availability fell short of our 96% goal, the elevators were available as an alternative in every instance of an escalator being temporarily out of service. 

• Performance of Preventive Maintenance - Monthly preventive maintenance was performed on all elevators and escalators in June.  Note that the new elevators at Collingswood and Haddonfield are under warranty.