A Whole New Category!
I have added a whole new category, Transit to my sidebar. All of them relate to Philadelphia transit, since I live here, but if anyone knows of a blog about the MTA, or even better an MTA historical site comparable to Philly Trolley Tracks, please pass it my way.
Speaking of Philly Trolley Tracks, I want you to visit that link this instant and just click around the site: you’ll find more pictures of historic trolleys and maps, as well as the downfall of the Philadelphia system, there. Sometimes I find myself absorbed in the site for hours, and if you have even an atom of interest in history in your bones (and we all do), I assure you’ll love the site.
Another site I’ve mentioned here before is SEPTA Watch, which keeps tabs on the unholy and incompetent buffoons that abuse Philadelphia and the surrounding region with piss-poor service, outrageous and systemic customer mistreatment, and fares that would make Jack Abramoff blush.
Through SEPTA Watch, I learned about SEPTA Made Better, which calls on riders to do what SEPTA won’t: put up signs. As the site notes, SEPTA’s signage has much to be desired at best, and thanks to SEPTA Made Better, you can download your own “Inbound/Outbound” signs to mount at stations where there’s no guidance whatsoever, “No Tokens” signs to mount at the many, yet random, stations wher SEPTA refuses to sell tokens, and even bus route maps to post at shelters. It’s cheap, easy, and a good deed, they say. Besides, SEPTA’s not going to do it: they don’t give a fuck about you, all they’re serious about is change. YOUR change, and as much of it as they can get.
The Delaware Valley Association of Rail Passengers is the area’s longest running advocacy group for Philly riders, and a wonderful resource. DVRPA spread the word about SEPTA’s lies surrounding the monstrous Plan B (warning, PDF), and is a loud voice for transit riders.
The SV Metro Blog is one I don’t know much about: I linked to them, apparently twice, from SEPTA Made better and it looked good, so hey pay ‘em a visit. Same with Pennsylvania Public Transit Association, a statewide advocacy group.
And last but certainly not least, Save Transit, which is exactly what they say they are. Philadelphia has for too long been abused by SEPTA and the state government in Harrisburg, and I encourage my Philadelphia friends and readers to get acquainted with these sites, including those of you who don’t use transit because let’s face it, SEPTA fucking sucks. I’m willing to bet if it was cheaper and more convenient you’d ride it…
Photo credit © Mike Szilagyi, source Philly Trolley Tracks
July 12th, 2007 at 11:45 am
Why do my trackbacks never show up on your site? Am I doing something wrong?
July 12th, 2007 at 11:46 am
Let’s try that. I just used your trackback link instead. It’s gets so confusing. Some sites, simply linking to the original post does it, others–you need to use the trackback link itself.