SEPTA to Get Rid of Bus Numbers to Eliminate Confusion

SEPTA, in yet another effort to eliminate rider confusion, has decided to eliminate the number system for buses. The move follows eliminating the “R” system from their Regional Rail service, as some customers would accidentally get on the wrong train and go in another direction entirely.

“We've listened to our customers complain for years about the trains, but we've gotten a lot of the same complaints about our buses, if not more," remarked SEPTA's General Manager. “So in order to eliminate the confusion of going the wrong way, we've renamed each bus route after the final destination. This means you will now know which bus is going where as the final destination instead of having to rely on a number-based system.”

One example of this new and improved system is the Route 18 Bus that runs from Cedarbrook Mall to Fox Chase. Instead of having the bus route called the “18”, as is the shorthand, it will now be called the “Cedarbrook Mall” route and the “Fox Chase” route, respectively.

“I'm glad to finally see this! I can't tell you how many times I go to Center City and get on the wrong bus!”, Samantha Max of the Fishtown section remarked. “I've taken the 33 Penn's Landing bus more than one time thinking it was going the other way! I don't read the entire name of the route on the front of the bus, just the number.” When asked why he did this, he replied, “Isn't that all I need to know?”

The move has been met with some criticism as well from a small, but vocal, number of commuters. “How the hell does someone get confused about which way the bus is going? The route is in the name, for crying out loud!”, replied Mark Harvey of Chestnut Hill. When asked how often he took the bus, he said, “About once a week. It can be a little confusing, but a lot of the bus signs tell you what the final destination is, so it's easy for me to figure out which side of the street to get on.”

“Part of the reason for this move is because we've found that some of our riders do have a problem with 'reading comprehension',” SEPTA's General Manager admitted. “Some of our riders are from out of town, may ride our transit system intoxicated, or in some cases are simply illiterate. In order to make the system better and more efficient for everyone, we feel that making these changes for less than 1% of our riders is a step in the right direction.”

The cost of the project has not been determined, although it is worth noting that twice as many schedules than before will need to be printed. Not only that, but so will any and all maps with references to the bus route numbers, and the nearly countless signs around Philadelphia and the Suburbs with route numbers on them.

When asked if the possibility of selling more naming rights to more stations could possibly effect this even more in the future, SEPTA responded in a positive way. “The hope is that it will. We're currently working on a deal to sell the naming rights to Frankford Terminal to Sprint, thus renaming it Sprint Terminal. The deal would be worth $20 Million.” When pressed further, SEPTA would receive only $3 Million of that money, which comes out to 0.03% of SEPTA's $1.3 Billion a year budget(PDF), as the money would be spread over 5 years.

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DISCLAIMER: The following article was a joke. If you did take this seriously, that proves just how fucked-up the new Regional Rail system idea is! Contact SEPTA directly to tell them so!

Flash Mobs, Violence, and The Media: So Really, Who's to Blame?

Flash Mob.

The terms has been thrown around Philadelphia periodically over the past year, starting back last summer when a large group of teenagers converged on South Street on what was one of the first nice Saturdays in a while. Back in March, they came back on, once again, the first nice Saturday in a long time. Both times they were called "Flash Mobs", a term used in this context to describe a large presence of people descending upon an area at once. This should not be confused with actual flash mobs that do fairly creative and fun things after organizing online.

Criticism has been leveled against the media for hyping the story, and fairly so. In bringing so much attention to this, it actually seems to be increasing the number of them and the number of people coming out to them.

The problem now, though, is that the criticism is getting worse and the real problem is being ignored.

Enter Philebrity, the biggest gossip and news blog in Philadelphia. While I can honestly say I respect them some of the time, I'm frustrated with it the rest of the time. Case in point: Their Racism-bating stories criticizing 6ABC . So what do I mean by the term "Racism-baiting"? They're saying 6ABC uses underlying racism to make the Flash Mobs look worse than it really is. The problem, though, is that they aren't.

Case in point?

Here’s what doesn’t: As Friday night’s lead story illustrated, “FLASH MOB FEAR BLACK TEENS VIOLENCE” has now entered the Action News (and all who sail in them) pantheon of non-stories they can sensationalize the fuck out of, spreading fear and dread to those who desire it most — the ignorant schlubs who actually think that what WPVI is “news.”

The actual video doesn't try to tell that story at all.

All the while, Philebrity ignores the actual issue: WHY kids are gathering like this, and why it is an actual issue.

On July 10th , an estimated 20,000 people descended on South Street around 1AM. The police, in response to these action, shut down 11 blocks. Again, this is 20,000 people in a 11-block area. That's a LOT of people, especially for 1AM on a Sunday Morning. No events, no concerts at that time... nothing. There was a concert earlier at The TLA, but that ended around 11PM. The cops had tried to subdue the crowd for the better part of the night since many kids were coming down because they mistakenly thought that the Greek Picnic Crowd would be there. The truth of the matter is that the picnic has not taken place in Philadelphia since 2007.

Philebrity's response? The cops are afraid of black people, thus the reaction was bad.

SEPTA buses were actually brought in to take the kids home that night, and considering the fact that since anyone under 18 who is out on the street past 12AM on a Saturday Night is breaking curfew, and thus the law... it actually does make sense to call in buses to take everyone home.

The problem with these gatherings isn't that black teenagers are there, or that it's a large group of black kids. No. The problem is that it's a large group of teenagers in general, and that can lead to problems. It's true that only a small number of kids are actually causing problems, but they can, and are, easily magnified when the numbers of actual kids increase and peer-pressure starts to give way to a mob mentality, no pun intended.

Philebrity seems to be ignoring the facts that, yes, violence is happening as part of these large groups of teenagers, the fact that these are mostly black kids does not mean its racist to point that out, and the fact that something needs to be done.

The problem doesn't lie in laying blame on someone, but in the attitude we give to the situation.

So, really, who's to blame? Blaming the media alone is pointless. So is simply blaming parents or even the kids. We really are all to blame in some way for this. The parents are to blame for not being there for their kids, for not being more proactive in some of these kids lives. Yes, parent's can't be there 24/7, and teenagers are still growing up and need things to do and will do things like this. Is the new hive-mind mentality part of the new world we live in?

In recent weeks, the Philadelphia Police have cracked down on large groups of teenagers because of the violence we've seen, and they have been getting better about preventing these gatherings before they get too big... well, sometimes.

The solution isn't simple, it's complicated. Parents getting involved is a start, so is the media not reporting about this is a fairly-glamorous fashion. I can actually say I agree that the biggest problem with 6ABC's coverage is that it puts it as a front-page story when, really, its more page 7, but then again, this was a case where the police dispersed the crowd before it was massive problem. If more stores and restaurants were open late across Center City in general, who knows, maybe that would help. Since South Street is basically the only area open later than 7PM on a Saturday Night, or the only one with a lot of attention.

The quasi-ironic thing, though, is that over the last 5 years South Street started to go downhill in terms of, well, being interesting and fun. Suddenly we're seeing it become at least one, if not the other, and there seems to be no one or any way to make this into a positive thing, or make it fun.

SEPTA to Eliminate The "R" From Regional Rail; Drunks Remained Confused and Dumb

SEPTA's General Manager has decided enough with the "R" system, and in with... nothing.

Introduced in the 1980's, the "R" system was designed to help different lines apart and was based on a German system to tell different steam engines apart. In an effort to help end customer confusion, they have decided to end the "R" system from "Regional Rail". They cite people getting confused about what train and platform to get on when they're told to take a train.

Sadly, they're trying to accommodate about 1% of their riders by spending a ton of cash and making life harder for the other 99% of us who take train.

For starters, the only people who get confused by the "R" system are tourists and people who don't pay attention to simple directions. Say you're going to Highland Ave. That would require taking that R2 to Marcus Hook. If someone say's "Take the R2 to Marcus Hook", well, you look at the signs, see the one that says R2 MARCUS HOOK and get on said train.

Unlike the Bus and Subway systems, EVERY station is CLEARLY marked with the final destination of the train. Unless you run down a flight of stairs to catch a train, unless you don't pay attention to where you're going, unless you make an actual effort to get on the wrong train, you won't. You need to use common sense more than anything.

SEPTA's new system involves simply having the name of the end-station be the name of route to try and end confusion. This is not going to solve the problem.

Remember how I pointed out the R2 Marcus Hook? Let's take another line, the R7. There are two end stops: The R7 Chestnut Hill East and the R7 Trenton. There is one single train that goes the entire length of the route. You're at Market East Station, the main train hub, and you need to get to Croydon Station, but not sure what train to get on. "Excuse me, " you ask the someone at the information desk, "but what train do I catch to get to Croydon Station?" "Easy, take the R7 to Trenton." You look around and see something that says "R7 TRENTON." You get on the train.

Why? Because you know you're going on the train that goes to TRENTON, they guy just fucking SAID SO!

The END of the line is in the NAME OF THE TRAIN LINE!!!! It's isn't "R7" with no semblance of where you're going! IT'S R7 TRENTON!!!!!

Eliminating the "R" literally makes no sense unless, like I said, you're a tourist, a drunk, or have no common sense. People will still get on the wrong train.

In fact, this could make matters worse. Remember when I said you could take the R7 straight through from Chestnut Hill East to Trenton? There are plenty of people who don't get off at the main terminals from Market East Station through 30th Street Station. Imagine how many people will now be confused and freaked out that the train that they only needed to get on one train for now appears to be two, or the throngs of people in the future who will think the same thing.

You want to see people confused and waiting on platforms for their train they missed? Folks, you go it!

Also, this is not going to be cheap for SEPTA! We're talking about having to reprint a LOT of things! Not only the train schedules (which are done regularly), but also the large maps at all the train stations to remove the "R" designation. We're looking at replacing all the signs on the trains! That color-coded systems so you knew which train you were getting on since each rail system made sense, like Red for R7, Brown for R8, Yellow for R1, etc? Gone!

It will now take TWO schedules to replicate the old R7 line:

Here is the new Chestnut Hill East line PDF
Here is the new Trenton line PDF

We're talking about TWICE as many schedules in order to reproduce ONE line. Not only that, but they all are the same color, and ugly as hell! Feel free to look at them yourself:

New SEPTA Regional Rail system's maps are at tt the bottom of the page.

We're looking at MORE confusing here, and when it blows up in SEPTA's face in the next few weeks, I shall be laughing.

Photo courtesy of AllAirports.com

SHIT THAT PISSES ME OFF Part 1: People Who Wear New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys Gear

DISCLAIMER: The following piece is my sad attempt at humor. The truth is, I do fucking hate both of these teams, and I have a bit of a dislike for their fans. I do favor tossing a joke or insult at them for wearing the gear, but not more else. Hey, I'm tossing this in here to cover my ass, you damn Yankees fan!

You know what I hate? Those douche-bags who think wearing Yankees and Cowboys gear in Philly is "Cool"! FUCK YOU!

Seriously, don't you hate these assholes?

You're on your way to a Phillies game. You're psyched, you're happy, and you're pumped for the game! Then, on the way there... there HE is. THAT guy. The guy... in the Yankees hat! Or the jacket. Or the shirt. Or that stupid looking, incredibly ugly and tacky hat with all the "World Series Wins" on it!

What the hell?!

Folks, this is PHILLY. PHILADELPHIA! We fucking love our Phillies here! Win, lose, or bullshit season, we LOVE our Phillies! We will fight for them, scream for them, and root for them no matter what! In 2008, the City of Brotherly Love actually felt like it for a few brief days as all came together to celebrate an amazing World Series win! It was fun, it was awesome, and we all had a good time.

I used to not care about Yankees fans. I used to be OK with them. Then the 2009 World Series happened, and the hatred came! Hell, I don't even hate the Chicago Blackhawks this much, and THEY just stole the fucking Stanley Cup from us! Then again, the difference here is clear: The Stanley Cup Playoffs was a simply amazing story of two teams who had the crap beaten out of them and they were basically both underdogs. The series went to a Game 6 that was hard-fought, even if the winning goal was lame. The 2009 World Series came down to a great team battling a wallet. And, god dammit, the wallet fucking won!

I remember running into a pal of mine... and he was wearing... a... YANKEES... hat. "What the hell?! What's with the hat?! What, do you... you actually LIKE the Bankees or something?" His reply? "No, I just like the look." Knowing him, I'm sure it's true.

And then you have Dallas Cowboys fans.

The god-damn Cowboys.

Growing up in Philly, you learn the following things about local pride: 1, Your neighborhood may suck like hell, but you love it all the same. 2, All Philly teams are great, no matter how shitty they may play (1996 still gives me nightmares!). And 3, THE DALLAS COWBOYS SUCK AND MUST BE ELIMINATED.

Again, what is with these assholes who like the Cowboys in Philly, and oddly enough, actually wear their gear? The Cowboys?! Seriously?! Do... do they get their jollies by rooting for a team with T.O. on it? Do they like the fact they're rooting for a team that plays in a "Dome"? A DOME?! What, are the little football players afraid of a little rain? TOUGH! The Eagles? They play in rain, mud, sleet, snow, boiling hot weather, and snowballs. Hell, they'll play through 10 feet of shit if need be! The Cowboys? "America's Team"? HA!

Oddly enough, there's plenty of Cowboys fans around me, and every football season I give them hell for it. Heck, if I see a Cowboys fans giving me a look on the street, the scream can be heard from space: "COWBOYS SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

So come on! Give them a hard time! Boo them, rib, them, live up to your rep! You're from Philly! You love Philly sports! Heckle these guys at lease once!

Coming Up: Shit That's Pissing Me Off!

• Is Fox 29 getting dumber, and us with them?
• Is Gambling in Philadelphia REALLY a good idea?
• What Philly Blogs are kicking ass and which ones really sucks?
• The reason metal bands should get more promotion.
• People who live in Philly and wears Yankees and Cowboys gear!
• WHY Darrell Clarke is an asshole, and how that impacts you.
• Why Philadelphia's Spray Paint Law is pointless.
• New Anti-Smoking Laws and why they SUCK!

Yep. These articles will all be up in the next week or two. I've been holding back, and I think it's about time someone pointed all of this stuff out!