62 replies to this topic

[CNJRoss]

Metro Magazine 7/31/20
 

SEPTA Launches Fund to Help Families of Employees Impacted by COVID-19

 

 

SEPTA has partnered with the Philadelphia Foundation and the Delaware Valley Regional Economic Development Fund to create a fund to help the families of employees who have been impacted by COVID-19.

 

The SEPTA Disaster Relief Memorial Fund was launched in large part due to feedback from employees who wanted a way to help the spouses, children, and other loved ones of co-workers who have died or were severely ill.

 

"SEPTA employees are incredibly generous," said SEPTA GM Leslie S. Richards. "Throughout the pandemic, we have heard from employees who have asked how they can help the families of their co-workers. Our goal with this fund was to create a meaningful way for them to provide support to the families of their friends and colleagues who have died or suffered severe health impacts as a result of COVID-19 related illnesses."

 

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Contributions to the Fund should be made online here.

 

Continue here.

[CNJRoss]

SEPTA news release

 

SEPTA Launches Fund to Help Families of Employees Impacted by COVID-19

 

Partnership with Philadelphia Foundation & Delaware Valley Regional Economic Development Fund

 

July 27, 2020

 

 

SEPTA has partnered with the Philadelphia Foundation and the Delaware Valley Regional Economic Development Fund to create a fund to help the families of employees who have been impacted by COVID-19.

 

The SEPTA Disaster Relief Memorial Fund was launched in large part due to feedback from employees who wanted a way to help the spouses, children and other loved ones of co-workers who have died or were severely ill.

 

"SEPTA employees are incredibly generous," said SEPTA General Manager Leslie S. Richards. "Throughout the pandemic, we have heard from employees who have asked how they can help the families of their co-workers. Our goal with this fund was to create a meaningful way for them to provide support to the families of their friends and colleagues who have died or suffered severe health impacts as a result of COVID-19 related illnesses."

 

An independent committee of employees will advise on the distribution of funds held at the Philadelphia Foundation. The fund has been launched with a generous donation of $10,000 by the Delaware Valley Regional Economic Fund and will accept contributions from the public through the Philadelphia Foundation website.

 

"As the region's community foundation, Philadelphia Foundation is pleased to facilitate this remarkable and generous community effort," said Pedro A. Ramos, President & CEO of Philadelphia Foundation.

 

SEPTA families affected by COVID-19 prior to December 31, 2021 are eligible to apply for funding. Donations can be made by members of the public as well as employees. Those who wish to give to the Fund can do so either by name or anonymously. Donations can also be made in honor or in memory of a specific employee.

 

Contributions to the Fund should be made online at: https://rebrand.ly/s...f-memorial-fund. Contributions by check will also be accepted. Checks should be made payable to "Philadelphia Foundation" and must identify "SEPTA Disaster Relief Fund" on the memo line and sent to: PO BOX 826728, Philadelphia, PA 19182-6728.

 

[CNJRoss]

SEPTA news release

 

SEPTA To Introduce Social Distancing Coaches

 

Program is designed to thank customers for mask compliance and offer general information in the age of COVID-19

 

August 03, 2020

 

 

In an effort to promote mask-wearing compliance and social distancing, Social Distancing Coaches will be positioned at key locations throughout the SEPTA system beginning Tuesday, August 4 through August 27. One to two coaches per location will be on hand to answer questions about social distancing and mask compliance. This new program is an extension of SEPTA's ambassador program, which was designed to introduce customers to the SEPTA Key fare payment system.

 

"The coaches are there on behalf of SEPTA to thank our customers for riding the system and wearing masks, so we're focusing on the positives first and foremost," said Kim Scott Heinle, SEPTA's Assistant General Manager for Customer Experience and Advocacy. "We want riders to know that we're doing everything we can to stop the spread and that their safety is paramount."

 

The first locations for the coaches will be on the Market-Frankford Line at 69 th Street Transportation Center, Frankford Transportation Center, and 15 th St. Station in Center City. The coaches will be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

 

Other locations in subsequent weeks will include the Broad Street Line at Fern Rock, City Hall, Snyder Stations, as well as Regional Rail hubs at Suburban Station, Jefferson Station and 30th Street Station, followed by outlying suburban Regional Rail Stations.

 

Information from a recent online survey on SEPTA.org showed that mask compliance was highest on Regional Rail at 96 percent, with compliance on city buses a close second at 95 percent. The lowest was on the Market-Frankford Line at 63 percent. For more information on SEPTA service and COVID-19 can be found at http://septa.org/covid-19/

 

[CNJRoss]

Progressive Raqilroading, 8/5/20

 

SEPTA designates 'social distancing coaches' at rail stations

 

 

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) this month will designate employees at rail stations to promote mask-wearing compliance and social distancing on the rail system during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

One to two "social distancing coaches" will be assigned per station across the system through Aug. 27.

 

Continue here.

[KevinKorell]

Philadelphia, PA Tribune, 8/7/20:

 

   SEPTA trains and buses have great airflow — which means less coronavirus risk for riders  

 

 

 

Airflow matters when it comes to preventing the spread of coronavirus. Turns out SEPTA cars are a pretty safe place to be, relative to other indoor spaces.

 

Read

[CNJRoss]

The Philadelphia Inquirer,8/15/20

 

 

SEPTA’s ‘social-distancing coaches’ are the newest part of your commute

 

 

Jessica Mangold, project manager with SEPTA hands out masks to riders at 69th Street Station in Upper Darby, PA on Thursday, August 13, 2020.

ALEJANDRO A. ALVAREZ / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

 

 

Commuters weaving in and out of SEPTA’s 69th Street Transportation Center on Thursday morning were greeted by an unfamiliar face.

 

“Would you like a mask?” Jessica Mangold asked riders entering the station.

 

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“There really hasn’t been any pushback,” Mangold said. “When people take the mask from me, I thank them for taking the mask. We want this to be something that they leave not feeling pressured to do so, but that they want to wear the mask to help somebody else.”

 

More here.

[KevinKorell]

Philadelphia, PA Inquirer, 8/19/20:

 

    SEPTA threatens to cut Regional Rail lines, pull back subway and trolleys in next decade if Harrisburg doesn’t boost funds  

 

 

 

SEPTA is warning that over the next decade, it will be forced to slash Regional Rail lines, eliminate dozens of stations, pull back subway service, and convert trolley routes into bus routes unless Pennsylvania officials find a way to resolve its budget crisis.

 

Story

[KevinKorell]

CBS Philly, 9/8/20:

 

   SEPTA Allowing Bikes On Trains As Part Of Pandemic Recovery Plan    

 

 

 

SEPTA is encouraging cyclists to ride their trains as the region moves toward recovery. Starting immediately, SEPTA will allow riders to bring bikes onboard trains during peak hours.

 

This is the story.

[KevinKorell]

Montgomery County Today, 9/19/20:

   SEPTA Might Slash Extension of Norristown High Speed Line to King of Prussia  

 
 
 
Due to pandemic-related financial strain, SEPTA is expected to put a stop to $250 million worth of capital projects and the extension of Norristown High Speed Line to King of Prussia may be among them, writes Jack Tomczuk for the Metro.

 
Update
 
Cross-posted in Pandemic and regular King of Prussia threads.

[CNJRoss]

WHYY News, Philadelphia, PA 9/24/20
 

SEPTA: Dire finances prevent agency from paying out COVID death benefits

 

 

When Ted Nixon died of COVID-19 in March, the 63-year-old SEPTA mechanic left behind a hole in his family that’s impossible to fill.

 

Shy and reserved, but friendly, Nixon was the kind of guy his family could always rely on — for the big stuff and the small stuff.

 

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Ted Nixon was the first SEPTA employee to die from COVID-19. The unexpected tragedy for Smith Nixon is compounded by the fact that SEPTA hasn’t offered any compensation for her husband’s loss beyond the standard benefits.  ...

 

Both she and Transport Workers Union Local 234, the union that represented her husband and his SEPTA colleagues, think she deserves more. They allege the transit authority was partially responsible for her husband’s death. He likely contracted the virus at work,  ... 

 

TWU fought for a $500,000 death benefit — a payout that New York’s MTA provided over the summer — but SEPTA denied their request back in May, citing revenue concerns.  ...

 

More here.