Septa9739
Lead Service Attendant
Yesterday, I took a ride up to Newark for some business. It was a nice day and a good opportunity to do something different. I was loosely familiar with the fact that Amtrak offers two daily round trips from Cornwells Heights on weekdays for the purpose of New York commuter service. It is little known (even by the agent who booked my ticket), so I figured I’d give it a shot. The fares were, on the whole, ridiculous, with three of the four trains charging $67, which is almost a dollar a mile, but 649, departing Newark 14:59, arriving Cornwells 15:50, was offering fares at $17, which, after recent fare hikes, is now cheaper than the (in)famous SEPTA/NJT connection at Trenton. Going up, though, I was stuck on the commuter roads. I boarded SEPTA 707 about 12 late at 9:24. The train was very busy for reverse peak commuter service. Maybe 115 were on board. By the time the train made Trenton, about six late at 9:45, maybe 100 were aboard, most making the connection, as I was, to NJT 3834. 3834 pulled out a minute late due needing to hold for Amtrak to clear as SEPTA being late screwed up the whole Trenton operation. Consist was the standard 9 “double deckers. Again the train was very busy, just about SRO into Newark, and very slow. We were certainly delayed, but I don’t know why of by how much. The NJT conductor was uncharacteristically personable, but, in keeping with the proud tradition of NJT, not especially forthcoming about delays.
Newark Penn Station was a zoo. There were all sorts of people doing whatever they wanted. I’d say it was the least orderly Station I’ve ever been to, narrowly outpacing LA Union. I’d put it up the with the 15th Street/City Hall concourse between the Broad Street Subway and Market-Frankford El. Amtrak can do much better.
649 was busy coming out of New York. I’d but the whole train at the 80%-90% range. We pulled out at 15:00, one minute late. Service was prompt. Crew was fine. Coach was quiet, allowing for some nice napping. Some whacko not paying attention ran her suitcase into me while boarding and then looked at me like I was the problem… The run took 47 minutes, arriving Cornwells 3 minutes early, for an average speed of 82 over the run, including stops, very fast. Cornwells usually reports 3,000ish passengers per year, six stepped off one of the 4 trains yesterday. Maybe an uptick is at hand?
It was an excellent trip, spared me the hassle of going to Center City, and I look forward to making a similar trip again.
Newark Penn Station was a zoo. There were all sorts of people doing whatever they wanted. I’d say it was the least orderly Station I’ve ever been to, narrowly outpacing LA Union. I’d put it up the with the 15th Street/City Hall concourse between the Broad Street Subway and Market-Frankford El. Amtrak can do much better.
649 was busy coming out of New York. I’d but the whole train at the 80%-90% range. We pulled out at 15:00, one minute late. Service was prompt. Crew was fine. Coach was quiet, allowing for some nice napping. Some whacko not paying attention ran her suitcase into me while boarding and then looked at me like I was the problem… The run took 47 minutes, arriving Cornwells 3 minutes early, for an average speed of 82 over the run, including stops, very fast. Cornwells usually reports 3,000ish passengers per year, six stepped off one of the 4 trains yesterday. Maybe an uptick is at hand?
It was an excellent trip, spared me the hassle of going to Center City, and I look forward to making a similar trip again.
