We’ll update this post throughout the evening.
Updated 5:54 p.m. Nov. 1.
SEPTA obtained an injunction from the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas to allow train crews to access facilities previously blocked by pickets.
“Cancelations are subsiding,” the email from the transit agency said, “however, significant delays are expected to continue through rush hour system-wide on Regional Rail. While TWU strike-related demonstrations are permitted, the injunction bars picketers from interfering with Regional Rail service.”
Philly’s Tuesday evening rush hour began with an email from SEPTA: “We are recommending passengers seek alternative modes of travel.”
That message was for Regional Rail passengers. Though RR is SEPTA’s only system currently operating in full during the strike that went into effect Tuesday morning, Transit Workers Union members were picketing on the rail tracks, creating delays and stoppages on the train lines as early as 4 p.m.
“Seems to me like that should be illegal,” passenger Colleen Dewald told Billy Penn as she stood in a very long line at Suburban Station Tuesday evening. City buses, trolleys and subways remain offline.
With nearly all SEPTA lines out of service or severely delayed, commuters were quick to publicize their transit complaints on Twitter:
#septastrike #regionalrail lines are longgggggg pic.twitter.com/kEe4R8yXQa
— Carol (@cathomas28carol) November 1, 2016
Is @transportworker 234 seriously blocking the rail yards with picket lines?? The rest of the city needs to work & live, too! #septastrike
— Bill (@hashtagsongs) November 1, 2016
Friend on Facebook posted this photo. Direct action. #SEPTAStrike pic.twitter.com/37j2pg4A9B
— Teddie (@TeddieRedder) November 1, 2016
They’re blocking the fucking trains? I’m fucking stuck! Anyone in center city got a couch I can crash on? This is some bs. #septastrike
— There is no Ninja only Zuul (@The1TrueRed) November 1, 2016
This sucks #septastrike #struggleisreal pic.twitter.com/zP0ostm7GO
— Joey (@MachoSiner) November 1, 2016
Wish I had a bigger car to take some of the kids from my daughter’s school to their homes due to the #septastrike
— Streakz (@LeStreakz) November 1, 2016
Everyone’s all “#SEPTAstrike this” and “SEPTAstrike that” and I’m all like #bikePHL @bcgp @SEPTA_SOCIAL pic.twitter.com/nHYHtM9aoL
— Korey Guerrieri (@korey_grrr) November 1, 2016
Thanks to the septa strike I won’t get to see my grandmother on her dying bed. #thanksSEPTA #septastrike
— Randall Stevenson (@illiteracyFTW) November 1, 2016
Thanks Septa! #septastrike pic.twitter.com/6lCRptsn4G
— David Kilgariff (@Dave_Kilgariff) November 1, 2016
If your transit system goes on strike, make sure you #pump before you #commute #workingmom #septastrike
— MillaBeyondMaternity (@WearMilla) November 1, 2016
all the smug RR riders that I work with who thought they wouldn’t be seriously affected, to you I say LOL#septastrike
— Amy (@AmyLeighP) November 1, 2016
Aaaand…strike time. Good ol’ SEPTA. Maybe I’ll walk home? Anyone care to embark on a mystical journey to the suburbs? Archers, mages needed. pic.twitter.com/9nSX0gtjnd
— That Tony Right There (@TweetsByTheTony) November 1, 2016
Like…the board isn’t even showing updates anymore. It basically says “Chile, good luck.” #SEPTAstrike
— Tiffany Bacon (@GrooveCityLady) November 1, 2016
@SEPTAPHILLY strike has given me a lotttt of time to work on my loom #knitting, so that’s a plus? ? #septa #septastrike #trenton @SEPTA pic.twitter.com/ecpDAOdRke
— alyssa | empath editor (@empatheditor) November 1, 2016
Nope. #septastrike won’t affect #regionalrail at all. Thanks @SEPTA pic.twitter.com/KkTvtSmQYm
— geoff mccleary (@wapgeekboy) November 1, 2016
I bet the #septastrike is the best thing that’s ever happened to @Cinnabon at #Philly 30th Street Station @30th
— Katherine France (@KParisFrance) November 1, 2016
I just got home! I left the job a little before 4 p.m. and I just got home! #SEPTAstrike
— Tiffany Bacon (@GrooveCityLady) November 1, 2016
