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Riders Face Crowds, Delays On Day 1 Of New SEPTA Rail Commute

By Lynne Adkins and Tim Jimenez

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Day one of the new SEPTA rail commute and riders are putting their travel plans into motion.

The day and the commute are starting earlier for many passengers. Packed trains, some not even stopping. Others, getting in a bit late.

Brian gets on at Trevose and decided to catch a train two hours earlier than normal.

suburban station
(credit: Lynne Adkins)

"I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get on my train at normal time. It wasn't bad at my station. I got on pretty early, but by the time I got here it was about 30 minutes late getting to my station and about an hour and a half late getting here."

Most trains are standing room only, even the early ones that normally have plenty of room to spread out.

"Disaster, it's going to be chaos because so many people depend on SEPTA," says Dave.

Fewer trains means people like Barbara have to hustle a bit earlier.

"This is bad. I have to get to work and I get docked if I'm late. So, hopefully my place is accepting this."

Most of the bleary eyed commuters agreed their plans worked and will remain in place until all of the rail cars are back in service, or until a new game plan is required.

Martin says this huge setback for SEPTA.

"There's been a noticeable delay in all the trains and all of us normal commuters have been noticing that as well. So, trains should run on time."

And as rough as the commute is expected to be the next few months, Barbara and others say at least SEPTA caught the problem before it was too late.

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney released the following statement: "The City is working with state and city agencies to do whatever it can to reduce the inconvenience, and he applauds the worker who identified this issue before it became a derailment or another serious accident."

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