There are 13 lines within the Regional Rail system, with 155 active stations.[2] Six fare zones in the system determine the ticket price, based on the distance traveled. Fare zones are designated as Zones 1 through 4 based on the station's distance from
Center City Philadelphia with additional zones for stations in the Center City area (CCP zone) and stations in New Jersey (NJ zone). Despite its close proximity to Center City, the four Airport Terminal stations are located within Zone 4.[3]
The Regional Rail system was built in the early 20th century[4] and originally consisted of two separate systems, operated by the
Pennsylvania Railroad and the
Reading Company, respectively.[5] SEPTA was formed in 1963,[6] and the Pennsylvania Railroad merged into the
Penn Central Transportation Company in 1968.[7] Penn Central and the Reading Company operated the railroads until they were taken over by
Conrail in 1976, which operated the system through 1982.[5] SEPTA commenced operation of the Regional Rail Division on January 1, 1983, which gave SEPTA complete operational control of its railroads.[6]
In November 1984, the
Center City Commuter Connection opened, a tunnel linking the former Pennsylvania and Penn Central networks, allowing for rail service to travel through the city and continue into adjacent suburbs. The tunnel also replaced the former
Reading Terminal with the new Market East Station (now
Jefferson Station). The 12 Reading and Penn Central lines were combined into seven routes, designated as R1 through R8,[8] with the R4 designation reserved for future use, although it was never used.[9] The system's newest line, the
Airport Line, opened in 1985, taking over the R1 designation from the
West Trenton Line and pairing West Trenton service with the R3
Media/Elwyn Line.[8][10] In July 2010, the "R" designations for each line were dropped, and lines were renamed after their destinations.[11]
All stations are located in Pennsylvania, unless otherwise noted. Stations located within the City of Philadelphia are additionally distinguished by neighborhood or area as noted on the official SEPTA map.[14] Accessible stations are noted with the icon.
^
abNussbaum, Paul (October 25, 1984). "New Rail Tunnel to Unify System Starting Nov. 12". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. B1.
^"Yes Virginia, There IS an R4"(PDF). The Delaware Valley Rail Passenger. Delaware Valley Association of Rail Passengers. December 2000. p. 3. Archived from
the original(PDF) on April 23, 2014. Retrieved October 9, 2012.
^2008 Transit Guide(PDF) (Map).
DART First State. 2008. Christiana Area and the Christiana Mall Park & Ride inset. Archived from
the original(PDF) on November 21, 2010. Retrieved February 28, 2011.
There are 13 lines within the Regional Rail system, with 155 active stations.[2] Six fare zones in the system determine the ticket price, based on the distance traveled. Fare zones are designated as Zones 1 through 4 based on the station's distance from
Center City Philadelphia with additional zones for stations in the Center City area (CCP zone) and stations in New Jersey (NJ zone). Despite its close proximity to Center City, the four Airport Terminal stations are located within Zone 4.[3]
The Regional Rail system was built in the early 20th century[4] and originally consisted of two separate systems, operated by the
Pennsylvania Railroad and the
Reading Company, respectively.[5] SEPTA was formed in 1963,[6] and the Pennsylvania Railroad merged into the
Penn Central Transportation Company in 1968.[7] Penn Central and the Reading Company operated the railroads until they were taken over by
Conrail in 1976, which operated the system through 1982.[5] SEPTA commenced operation of the Regional Rail Division on January 1, 1983, which gave SEPTA complete operational control of its railroads.[6]
In November 1984, the
Center City Commuter Connection opened, a tunnel linking the former Pennsylvania and Penn Central networks, allowing for rail service to travel through the city and continue into adjacent suburbs. The tunnel also replaced the former
Reading Terminal with the new Market East Station (now
Jefferson Station). The 12 Reading and Penn Central lines were combined into seven routes, designated as R1 through R8,[8] with the R4 designation reserved for future use, although it was never used.[9] The system's newest line, the
Airport Line, opened in 1985, taking over the R1 designation from the
West Trenton Line and pairing West Trenton service with the R3
Media/Elwyn Line.[8][10] In July 2010, the "R" designations for each line were dropped, and lines were renamed after their destinations.[11]
All stations are located in Pennsylvania, unless otherwise noted. Stations located within the City of Philadelphia are additionally distinguished by neighborhood or area as noted on the official SEPTA map.[14] Accessible stations are noted with the icon.
^
abNussbaum, Paul (October 25, 1984). "New Rail Tunnel to Unify System Starting Nov. 12". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. B1.
^"Yes Virginia, There IS an R4"(PDF). The Delaware Valley Rail Passenger. Delaware Valley Association of Rail Passengers. December 2000. p. 3. Archived from
the original(PDF) on April 23, 2014. Retrieved October 9, 2012.
^2008 Transit Guide(PDF) (Map).
DART First State. 2008. Christiana Area and the Christiana Mall Park & Ride inset. Archived from
the original(PDF) on November 21, 2010. Retrieved February 28, 2011.