Submitted by Rigged_Art t3_z39r1u in philadelphia

The last couple rides I’ve been on a SEPTA bus, my GPS openly says & shows that the bus ride isn’t over based on their scheduled stops but the driver’s always say “Final Stop” & make everyone get off

Am I missing something? Any suggestions on convincing the driver to actually keep going through the official route?

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danmusic666 t1_ixkpxbt wrote

There’s a lot of reasons most likely, though, it’s just that the bus you caught is one of the shortened routes. They’ll have buses/trains do half the route and turn around to increase frequency of that route. Usually doing the full route around times when more people are going all the way. Sometimes if you check google maps it’ll tell you to catch a bus that comes 5-15 minutes later than the one on the septa app that says it’s coming next based on your destination. Not all busses are like this but for routes where not a lot of people are usually riding it’s better for them to just drop everyone off and turn around to be ready for the long trip.

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SnapCrackleMom t1_ixkq967 wrote

>Any suggestions on convincing the driver to actually keep going through the official route?

I wouldn't try to convince the driver to keep going, but you can certainly ask why it isn't going the full route, and how to know for future reference which ones do this.

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SgtKetchup t1_ixl6csi wrote

SEPTA is still experiencing a labor shortage (of their own design) and frequently have to curtail service due to driver/operator availability. By having vehicles run only the center portion of the line (in CC typically) they can maintain frequency on the core, with a reduced number of total vehicles.

Please do complain to your city councilman and/or state rep about it, SEPTA needs to get their shit together and return to full staffing.

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cashonlyplz t1_ixq0hia wrote

Fr fr. I had to take a Lyft to work, today. I have ~10 minutes leeway on a bus transfer. That bus doesn't wait because a trolley is running behind. Sometimes, they just blip out of existence, on the app.

I don't want to get a vehicle but yeesh does SEPTA make it tempting, lately

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RJ5R t1_ixqjxqs wrote

I can't blame them. My local regional rail parking lot isn't even half full at best. Precovid people were fighting for spots and having to find obscure street parking

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xpeebsx t1_ixkwp9m wrote

Ask the bus driver what the deal is

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Ng3me t1_ixltace wrote

There are and always have been a few routes that only run half the route during rush hour. For example there are northbound 57s that will terminate at 3rd and Market instead of going all the way to 5th and Godfrey. They usually happen in the morning and the bus should say it on the front. They do it to provide maximum service to the busy portion of the route.

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BigShawn424 t1_ixnnvu2 wrote

Those 57s no longer exist and the 57 does not terminate at 5th and godfrey

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jbphilly t1_ixlzhoz wrote

This isn't necessarily new. I used to get screwed by this when taking the 64 from South Philly back home to West. Instead of continuing all the way north to Fairmount Park, once in a while it would without warning stop at 49th and Woodland and dump everybody out. Not a fun time when you suddenly have to walk an extra mile+ to get home late at night when you're already tired.

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Lizzardking666 t1_ixn7wi4 wrote

Certain routs have split shift schedules gps is not always accurate could of boarded the wrong bus several routes have differnt end points

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JohnnyZack t1_iy39t6m wrote

I have had a similar experience where Google Maps doesn't know that a SEPTA route ends in a spot when the route looks like a loop and will pick back up from the same stop a little later. I have also had a pretty weird one where I was the only one on board, and the bus driver said "I'll be back in a bit," turned the bus off, and left for like 15 minutes only to return with a hoagie.

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BigShawn424 t1_ixnnu2c wrote

I have never experienced this. All i can say I read the sign of the bus. What route have you experienced this on?

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Credit2reddit t1_ixm70bs wrote

Because, as nothing more than human cattle, you have no say in how you're handled during transport and where you're being transported to.

Doubt this? Try saying something about it. Go ahead. See how far you get. I guarantee that it will have the same effect as a cow's mooing has on the ranchers.

The TWU calls the shots in this system. They have you and SEPTA by the short hairs.

So sit down and enjoy the ride. Or don't. It's all the same to them.

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cashonlyplz t1_ixq0ooj wrote

Jesus-f*ck you're (justifiably) jaded, to the point of delusional (not good, bub!)

It's not TWU's fault SEPTA would rather run a literacy campaign at the stops no one is using, as opposed to hiring a few dozen more conductors and drivers...

"SEPTA: we're getting there" is still the best slogan lmao. I love them when they're running like they should.

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