SEPTA PUBLIC HEARINGS SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 27^TH

HARRISBURG, MARCH 5 – State Sen. Connie Williams reminded residents that on March 27^th they would have an opportunity to offer their input into SEPTA's decision to make three experimental routes permanent.

The routes include experimental Route 150 (operating between Plymouth Meeting Mall and Philadelphia Park Casino); and Routes 205 and 306 (funded by the Congestion Management Systems program as part of PennDOT's reconstruction of U.S. Route 202). Routes 205 and 306 are externally funded and operations of the services are contingent upon continued external funding. PennDOT is reimbursing SEPTA for the operating subsidy with funding provided by the Federal Highway Administration.

 Route 150 operates weekdays and Saturdays (no Sunday service is provided) with a one-way cash fare of $3. The limited service is between Plymouth Meeting Mall (where connections can be made to City Transit Routes L and 27 and Suburban Transit Routes 90, 95 and 98) and Philadelphia Park Racetrack and Casino.

 "For mass transit to remain viable, it is important that new routes or route changes reflect the needs of the current and potential passengers," Williams said. "The most direct way to find out what those needs are is to hear from the public. I encourage residents of the 17^th District who may use any of the experimental routes, or who have specific issues with the routes to plan to either attend the appropriate hearing or submit written comments."

 The hearing on Routes 205 and 306 will begin at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, March 27^th at Penn State Great Valley Room 228, Main Building, 30 E. Swedesford Rd., Malvern. The hearing on Route 150 will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 27^th at Church on the Mall, Room 4, Plymouth Meeting Mall, Plymouth Meeting.

 All written comments should be submitted by March 27^th to: Secretary SEPTA, 1234 Market St., 10^th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107-3780.  Additional information is available on SEPTA's Web site at www.septa.org.