SC: Happiness on the R7

elSicomoro · 12-23-2002, 02:50 AM

In the past, I've discussed riding our regional (commuter) rail system...the R7 Trenton line in particular. I love riding the R7, but b/c of logistics (getting home from Torresdale station) and cost (it costs about twice as much to ride the R7 than using a bus/subway combination), I was generally only riding it once a week, on Friday evenings.

Last week, I had a job interview out in the not-too-distant suburbs. The place where I was going was near a regional rail station, and b/c Rho uses the car every day again, I decided to pony up the $$$ and buy a zone 3 trailpass for the week.

Each morning, I hop on the 84 bus and make my way to Torresdale station. About 10 minutes later, the train arrives, and we make our way towards Center City. Between Torresdale and Center City, there is only one stop (Holmesburg, just south of Torresdale), so the ride is relatively smooth and quick. The people are generally laid back, keeping themselves busy by reading, resting, or chatting quietly with others. I keep myself busy by playing games on my spanking new Motorola T720 wireless phone (a thread is forthcoming on this fabulous device).

Most people get off at 30th Street or Penn Center/Suburban Station...I make my way one stop beyond that to Market East Station, at 11th and Market. From there, I make my way through the Gallery, the large mall to which Market East Station is attached. It's amazing how quiet a mall can be when there are very few people in it. (At 8am, there are only a few food stands open...the mall itself doesn't open until 10am.) A quick crossing at 10th and Market onto one of the coming buses towards Independence Mall, and I'm at my desk just before 8:30. Total travel time: just under an hour...about the same time as if I took the bus and El.

I've been working late recently, so I hop a bus or walk up to the Gallery at night. The trains are quieter after evening rush hour, so I usually get a seat all to myself, and busy myself playing games or reading. Because Rho works an "unusual" schedule (10a-6:30p), I can have her pick me up in the evening at Cornwells Heights Station without her having to go out of her way. Total travel time, including the 5-minute drive home from the train station: 41 minutes. If I were to do the El and bus: about an hour and 10 minutes.

The difference between the regional rail and the bus/subway is like night and day. I don't have to listen to lower Northeast loudmouths, deal with morons making their way to Franklin Mills, smell bums, avoid coffee spills, or accidentally sit in someone's urine. The worst I've dealt with on a train thus far is a crying baby and his useless mother making their way to Trenton...and that sort of thing is minor compared to some of the shit on the El. Not to mention, the baby incident was over a month ago now.

It does cost a bit more ($34.50 a week vs. $18.75 for a transpass), but the cost is offset both physically and mentally. Physically, with Rho working again and making decent money, the extra money spent doesn't dent our budget. Mentally, it's a much more pleasurable ride...and I honestly don't feel irritated anymore, like I would get when I was taking the bus.

I'm a huge advocate of public transportation, b/c I believe it works...but here in Philadelphia, if you can make it work, stick to the regional rail lines.

elSicomoro · 01-19-2003, 10:22 AM

Man, this is the one thing that sucks about the new job already...it makes taking the train almost silly, since one bus will take me from near my apartment directly to the job. Yeah, I'll be saving $20 a week on transit, but...

I'm really going to miss the R7. My commute had become a pleasurable experience after switching over to the train. I don't see it being so laid back on the 1 bus.

Damn, I'm really sad over this.

russotto · 01-21-2003, 12:46 PM

$34.50/week is getting you right up near the costs of operating a car, though...

elSicomoro · 01-22-2003, 08:16 PM

If you live in the burbs, yes. But not in the city, unless you are a married female with a clean driving record...and that's a maybe at best.

12-23-2002, 02:50 AM	#1
elSicomoro Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 12,486	SC: Happiness on the R7 In the past, I've discussed riding our regional (commuter) rail system...the R7 Trenton line in particular. I love riding the R7, but b/c of logistics (getting home from Torresdale station) and cost (it costs about twice as much to ride the R7 than using a bus/subway combination), I was generally only riding it once a week, on Friday evenings. Last week, I had a job interview out in the not-too-distant suburbs. The place where I was going was near a regional rail station, and b/c Rho uses the car every day again, I decided to pony up the $$$ and buy a zone 3 trailpass for the week. Each morning, I hop on the 84 bus and make my way to Torresdale station. About 10 minutes later, the train arrives, and we make our way towards Center City. Between Torresdale and Center City, there is only one stop (Holmesburg, just south of Torresdale), so the ride is relatively smooth and quick. The people are generally laid back, keeping themselves busy by reading, resting, or chatting quietly with others. I keep myself busy by playing games on my spanking new Motorola T720 wireless phone (a thread is forthcoming on this fabulous device). Most people get off at 30th Street or Penn Center/Suburban Station...I make my way one stop beyond that to Market East Station, at 11th and Market. From there, I make my way through the Gallery, the large mall to which Market East Station is attached. It's amazing how quiet a mall can be when there are very few people in it. (At 8am, there are only a few food stands open...the mall itself doesn't open until 10am.) A quick crossing at 10th and Market onto one of the coming buses towards Independence Mall, and I'm at my desk just before 8:30. Total travel time: just under an hour...about the same time as if I took the bus and El. I've been working late recently, so I hop a bus or walk up to the Gallery at night. The trains are quieter after evening rush hour, so I usually get a seat all to myself, and busy myself playing games or reading. Because Rho works an "unusual" schedule (10a-6:30p), I can have her pick me up in the evening at Cornwells Heights Station without her having to go out of her way. Total travel time, including the 5-minute drive home from the train station: 41 minutes. If I were to do the El and bus: about an hour and 10 minutes. The difference between the regional rail and the bus/subway is like night and day. I don't have to listen to lower Northeast loudmouths, deal with morons making their way to Franklin Mills, smell bums, avoid coffee spills, or accidentally sit in someone's urine. The worst I've dealt with on a train thus far is a crying baby and his useless mother making their way to Trenton...and that sort of thing is minor compared to some of the shit on the El. Not to mention, the baby incident was over a month ago now. It does cost a bit more ($34.50 a week vs. $18.75 for a transpass), but the cost is offset both physically and mentally. Physically, with Rho working again and making decent money, the extra money spent doesn't dent our budget. Mentally, it's a much more pleasurable ride...and I honestly don't feel irritated anymore, like I would get when I was taking the bus. I'm a huge advocate of public transportation, b/c I believe it works...but here in Philadelphia, if you can make it work, stick to the regional rail lines.

01-19-2003, 10:22 AM	#2
elSicomoro Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 12,486	Man, this is the one thing that sucks about the new job already...it makes taking the train almost silly, since one bus will take me from near my apartment directly to the job. Yeah, I'll be saving $20 a week on transit, but... I'm really going to miss the R7. My commute had become a pleasurable experience after switching over to the train. I don't see it being so laid back on the 1 bus. Damn, I'm really sad over this.

01-21-2003, 12:46 PM	#3
russotto Professor Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 1,788	$34.50/week is getting you right up near the costs of operating a car, though...

01-22-2003, 08:16 PM	#4
elSicomoro Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 12,486	If you live in the burbs, yes. But not in the city, unless you are a married female with a clean driving record...and that's a maybe at best.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)