Community Corner

DVARP Speaks at Ambler Church of the Brethren on SEPTA

With gas prices going up, DVARP suggests now being the time to try the train or the bus.

Ambler Church of the Brethren held a coffee house on Friday night, featuring Andy Sharpe, from the Delaware Valley Association of Rail Passengers (DVARP), as the speaker for the night.

DVARP is an advocate for passengers who ride SEPTA, NJ Transit, Amtrak and more.

Sharpe, said as a student at Temple, he saw the congestion on the highways and he took SEPTA to Center City for the convenience.

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In Montgomery County, there are 35 regional rail stations, 6 regional rail lines, 28 bus lines, the Norristown High Speed Line, and a paratransit line.

Congestion is a major problem in Philadelphia and its suburbs. Sharpe presented statistics, that in Philadelphia, 72 million hours a year are wasted in congestion.

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Sharpe said of the congestion on the roads, “It’s not just important if you ride mass transit” but for all those who drive the roads in general.

He added that as a whole, people in Philadelphia who ride mass transit save a total of $633 million a year. That includes tolls, wear and tear on their car, gas, parking, and does not include the cost of an accident during commuting.

“The economic benefits are more dramatic than what these numbers show,” added Sharpe.

“High gas prices are here to stay…it’s a good time to try the train or the bus,” added Sharpe. “Lot prices are very expensive – or you can circle over and over again to find that one spot.”

Sharpe added that there is a one-day Independence Pass where riders can ride regional rail, the trolley lines, or bus al day for one day at one price. There is also a weekly or monthly trail pass for the regional rail and bus. Outside of that, there are different fare systems for regional rail, bus lines, the trolley, and the Norristown High Speed Line.


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