SEPTA’s transit strike entered its second day Wednesday with traffic woes continuing into the city, and ride-sharing service Uber touting a huge increase since the labor action started at midnight Monday.
Uber reported a 41-percent jump in ridership during morning and afternoon rush Tuesday, compared to the week earlier. Additionally, more people are sharing vehicles. Some 38 percent of Uber rides were UberPOOL, compared to 25 percent a week ago. Lyft announced that discount code PHILLYSCHOOLS is valid for the first 3,330 redemptions for 50 percent off one line ride.
Indego added “surplus availability” in light of the strike. Aaron Ritz of the Office of Transportation & Infrastructure Systems told Billy Penn in an email to avoid docking problems at stations that Indego has expanded its valet program, which accommodates riders when the docks are full.
“We have already made some modifications to the service,” Ritz said. “We always encourage riders to download the Indego app for iPhone and Android and check it for available bikes and docks prior to their ride.” Indego reported having 3,500 rides on Tuesday (the most recent data available).
Regional Rail, which was temporarily shut down on Tuesday evening, was back up and running — although there were still some delays and station changes due to overcrowding. That’s better than the near stoppage during yesterday’s rush hour, and it’s mostly thanks to an injunction SEPTA obtained from the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas to allow train crews to access facilities previously blocked by pickets.
Former Philadelphia Mayor and Pa. Gov. Ed Rendell suggested Wednesday morning that the state legislature should consider reclassifying TWU to take away members’ right to strike. Rendell called the possible Election Day effects of the strike “a real plus for Donald Trump.”
Here’s a peek at how commuters handled day two of the strike:
