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    1. Rail

    PATCO Schedule Returns to Traditional Service Levels Jan. 2

    Dec. 30, 2015
    Related To: Port Authority Transit Corp. (PATCO)

    Beginning Jan. 2, PATCO will return to a traditional, full schedule as a result of near completion of its $103 million, 18 month track rehab project. The track project has involved replacing the entire 30 year old PATCO track system across the Ben Franklin Bridge, including all related signal, power and communications cables that are part of the system. Structural and site repairs were also completed. This significant investment in PATCO infrastructure is in strong alignment with the organization’s commitment to responsible stewardship of public assets and will ensure the safety and convenience of PATCO riders for many years to come.

    “The return to pre-project service levels is one of the final steps in the completion of this significant investment in the PATCO system,” said PATCO GM John D. Rink. “This project and our ongoing upgrades of the system speak volumes to the DRPA’s long-term commitment to the PATCO system and the thousands of commuters that travel to their jobs, homes and other destinations on PATCO. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our loyal riders for their patience and to express my appreciation to the entire PATCO team for helping to ensure the success of this important project.”

    The new schedule – which goes into effect on Jan. 2 - will increase the frequency of trains to up to every 4 minutes during Monday through Friday rush periods and from 15 minutes to 12 minutes during Monday through Friday mid-days. Saturday service frequency will also improve from 30 minutes to 25 minutes. Additional enhancements in service and schedule will be introduced during the first few weeks of 2016.

    Over the past 18 months, PATCO has significantly upgraded its rail infrastructure. The project includes vital track work maintenance overnight and on weekends and was structured to leverage work that could be performed outside of rush-hours to minimize the impact on PATCO riders.  We have replaced rails on the curves beneath Martin Luther King Blvd in Camden and beneath Franklin Square in Philadelphia, which is the equivalent of repaving a road while keeping part of the road open for traffic.  The rehab project has included repairs on sections of the 3rd-rail power supply, cleaning of the track substructure, removal of mud from the rock base and leveling the rails in several locations - the railroad equivalent of repairing potholes.