Another day of woes for SEPTA Regional Rail commuters

The reduction in capacity has meant an even greater reduction in ridership, said agency spokesman Andrew Busch.

Based on preliminary data, the daily number of passengers has dropped by as much as 30,000 from the normal weekday volume of 65,000, Busch said.

The current volume, 35,000 to 40,000 riders, is about the maximum capacity that SEPTA can handle with the trains still in service, Busch said.

Many riders are apparently using alternatives. There has been some increase in ridership on the Market-Frankford Line, Busch said, "but still plenty of capacity there and on the Broad Street Line."

Delays were reported on multiple lines throughout the Thursday morning rush, with some trains running as expresses for part of their trips due to overcrowding. Equipment problems added to the woes on the Paoli/Thorndale Line. On the Airport, Media/Elwyn, and Wilmington/Newark lines, a car blocking the tracks caused further delays.

SEPTA is offering refunds or credit for people who have weekly or monthly Regional Rail passes. For those who want a full refund, passes had to be sent back to the agency by Thursday.

While commuter volume was lower than usual on Tuesday following the Fourth of July holiday, trains and platforms were packed early Wednesday as people returned to work, and continue to be overwhelmed during peak hours.

Riders reported commutes that took up to twice as long as normal, and many complained of late or jammed trains. The transit agency is looking into borrowing equipment from other agencies and has been urging riders, particularly those who live closest to Center City, to seek other modes of transportation.