The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has granted SEPTA a two-week extension for completing safety inspections of the Silverliner IV Regional Rail fleet. The new deadline is now set for November 14, extending from the original date of October 31.
Safety Concerns and Inspection Progress
This extension comes in the wake of several safety incidents involving the aging trains, which are over 50 years old. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued an urgent warning about an “immediate and unacceptable safety risk.” The first of these alarming incidents occurred in February near Crum Lynne Station in Ridley Park, where a fire broke out on a train carrying more than 300 passengers.
SEPTA General Manager Scott A. Sauer expressed gratitude for the FRA’s collaboration. “We are committed to completing the required actions and providing safe service to our customers,” he stated. Currently, SEPTA crews have inspected 120 of the 223 Silverliner IV railcars, demonstrating progress in addressing the safety concerns.
Extended Deadlines for Additional Safety Measures
In addition to the inspection extension, the FRA has provided a new deadline of December 5 for SEPTA to install thermal protection circuits. These devices are crucial for interrupting electricity flow to components that may overheat, thereby enhancing the safety of the railcars.
Impact on Regional Rail Services
As safety inspections continue, Regional Rail riders are facing significant service disruptions. Many riders have reported experiences of crowded conditions, delays, and cancellations.
- Original inspection completion deadline: October 31
- New inspection completion deadline: November 14
- Number of Silverliner IV railcars: 223
- Current inspected railcars: 120
- New deadline for thermal protection circuit installation: December 5
Sauer acknowledged the challenges faced by riders. “We understand the impact these delays have on our passengers, and we appreciate their patience during this critical safety work,” he added. SEPTA remains focused on completing these inspections and ensuring the safety of all riders in the future.
