From the General Manager

Message from General Manager

December Highlights

While You were Sleeping - Way Interlocking Project – Throughout weekends when we can take a track out of service with minimal inconvenience to our customers, work on the Way Interlocking progresses.  For example, over one weekend, existing temporary track was removed on Track 1, shared timbers and diamond frogs were installed, and rail was installed and aligned.  Following this RCC work and AECOM inspection, PATCO ran a test train at restricted speed through the area to ensure the integrity of the track and readiness for revenue service.  This project, overseen by Engineering, requires coordination of RCC (the project contractor), AECOM (the construction monitor), and PATCO Transit Services, Track & Facilities, and Power & Signals Departments.

Ridership – COVID-19’s effect on travel patterns lingers. December’s total ridership was 375,994, an increase of 181,178 (+93%) when compared to December of 2020.  Annual ridership was 3,683,090, a decrease of 266,360 (-6.74%) when compared to 2020.

Count Down –At long last, our LED signage lets our customers on the platforms know that a train is coming in 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 minute(s).  The countdown is triggered by our signal system and augments the posting of schedules on the LCD displays.   Our customers have eagerly anticipated this amenity.

SERVICE

Lost & Found – During 2021, we received almost 200 emailed inquiries about lost items, in addition to many daily telephone calls.  Our Lost & Found supervisor proactively makes a concerted effort to notify customers  when we have found items that are identified, and she keeps track of inquiries to match up reports of lost belongings with the inventory of items left in our stations and on the trains.  We also publicize our Lost & Found service through our digital signage and social media.  Sometimes a customer realizes s/he just left an item on the train, and our Transit Services staff looks for it as soon as possible and returns it directly to the passenger.  Although many items such as single gloves, water bottles, umbrellas, and papers remain unclaimed, we were able to return more than half the potentially more valuable items such as phones, keys, wallets/purses, and laptops/tablets.  The designation of “valuable” may be somewhat arbitrary, as many of the unclaimed phones have cracked screens or older technology, and a key fob for a car may be expensive to replace, but a single traditional house key is not.  All that aside, PATCO’s Lost & Found Department provides a valuable service to our customers.

FREEDOM Service Center –The Service Center at Broadway Station is open on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  In addition, many customers use our FREEDOM website to add value to their cards, report lost cards, and change credit card information.

On-Time Performance – Our on-time performance in 2021 was 97.69%.  This compares to 97.92% in 2020 and 96.86% in 2019.

In December, our on-time performance was 96.57%, falling short of our goal of 98%.  Of the 4,942 scheduled trips,  16 were cancelled, 149 were late, and 57 stations were bypassed.  Many of the delay incidents resulted from rail spraying operations to reduce the slipperiness of leaf oils on the tracks, and most delays involved only a train or two.  Exceptions included a signal code generator failure on December 5, resulting in 3 annulments and 21 late trains; failure of relays resulting in 11 late trains on the 13^th; and a door problem on the 14^th causing 8 trains to be late during the evening commute.

Availability of Transit Equipment – PATCO closely monitors the availability of equipment to meet the needs of our peak service customers.  We started only one evening “rush” without the requisite number of cars available for service.

STEWARDSHIP

Elevators / Escalators

Availability of all elevators was 97.99% in December, with 60% of elevator outages related to the station enhancement project at Lindenwold Station.  For the year overall, elevator availability was 98.61%, surpassing our goal of 97%. 

o   Availability of all escalators was 95.54% in December, below our goal of 96% but significantly better than recent months.  During December, at least 20% of the escalator outage was attributable to the continuing station enhancement work.  For the year overall, availability of escalators was 92.98%.  

Monthly preventive maintenance was performed on all available elevators and escalators in December.

Track & Facilities                                                                                                                                           

• In December, crews performed ROW (right of way), station, parking lot and track inspections. 

• Staff replaced 37’ of damaged rail just east of Market Interlocking on Track 1 (south rail).   

• Broken hold-down bolts and Pandrol clips were replaced, and loose hardware was tightened at Fern Rock Curve. 

• Clips were also replaced on Westmont Viaduct.

• IJs and expansion joints at Franklin Square just east of Philadelphia anchorage were dressed.  IJ was also dressed on Track 2, Wood Interlocking to Haddon Turnback.

• 57 and 61E frogs were welded on Track 2 at Haddon Turnback.

• Annual fire extinguisher inspections were performed.

• Stair risers were painted at Broadway Station, and the third rail cover board was painted from Market to Hall.

• Support services (flagging and scheduling) were provided as required for the following projects:

o   Way Interlocking Rehabilitation (Contract No. PATCO-59-2017).   

o   Ben Franklin Rehabilitation capital project (Contract No. BF-54-2019). 

o   Solar project