SEPTA Award

SEPTA - the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority - just won an award as the best transit system in North America as reported by the Philadelphia Daily News - with somewhat raised eyebrows. We are now back in the Philadelphia area after an absence of thirty years so we are also pleasantly surprised at the service and equipment offered by this system - also that the buses are free with a Medicare card. On a recent bus ride into the city a passenger approached the bus stop in a wheel chair. He appeared to be a regular rider. The driver opened a flat ramp that was recessed in the floor to accommodate the occupant and his wheel chair. In the left front section of the bus the driver folded back five seats, parked the rider and chair and chocked the wheels to the floor with an elaborate set of belts and securing devices. It reminded me of how our stevedores used to secure automobiles in the holds of the ships. It was a smooth operation - no one was delayed - and apparently all the new buses in the system are equipped with this gear. No wonder SEPTA received this award.
P.S. They also carry bicycles in a rack on the front of the bus.
tjs
Next - Potpourri