As SEPTA Strike Rolls Along, Little Else Does

KYW Newsradio Team Coverage

Thursday was day three of the transit strike in Philadelphia, and it appeared that Gov. Ed Rendell was trying to get both sides back to the table to end the labor dispute.


KYW's Paul Kurtz reports that the Septa strike has made driving an especially tedious and frustrating chore this week.

Philadelphia's average commute time of 30 minutes has spiked since the Septa strike began, according to Ela Voluck of the regional AAA office:

"This has probably added, on average, another half hour to 45 minutes. For some people it's added an hour plus."

AAA recommends that you carpool, find alternate routes, ask your employer if flex time is available, or even take some vacation days -- come out of your comfort zone and find creative ways to avoid the jams.

Penndot has been posting travel times on signs along the sSchuylkill Expressway. Spokeswoman Jenny Robinson says the agency is also offering a 511 number that commuters can call, along  with a web site (511PA.com):

"That will give you an idea of the travel speeds, any incidents, construction, and anything else you need to know travelling throughout the region and the state."

Philadelphia has relaxed parking regulations along some streets during the strike. You can find the locations and other information at phila.gov/ready.

KYW's Kim Glovas reports that intersections in center city are normally packed during rush hour, but lately the congestion is even worse as many Septa commuters are forced to use their cars .

Traffic at Broad and Vine Streets (right) was brisk in the middle of Thursday morning's rush hour. Police officers were trying to make sure that pedestrians could cross safely and were trying to make sure that nobody was in the wrong lane of traffic if they are trying to make a turn.

Officer James Middleton is with the Traffic Division:

"Seven o'clock, 7:15, it starts to get real hectic. Right now, you see Broad and Vine -- this is the worst intersection right now."

He and other officers are hoping the Septa strike comes to a swift end so they can end this dangerous job of directing traffic in the middle of  morning rush.

Stay updated on the latest road conditions with Traffic and Transit on the 2s

KYW's John Ostapkovich reports that some people may bag the tougher ride to work and just telecommute.

Telecommuting, that is, working from afar via computer, requires a bit of technical set-up that Drexel University information systems professor Glenn Booker says may not be available on short notice:

"Usually not. It depends on how well your business is set up for it, and of course, what business you're in. Some things you can't telecommute for. But in many cases it can be accomplished if your office is receptive to it."

Margaret McCoey, professor of Information technology at LaSalle, telecommuted for years and says that being in the office, around colleagues, has its blessings:

"But then there's other times when it's really nice because I can take my material to settle down and get done what I need to accomplish."

To be a successful telecommuter, she says, you need time management and self-discipline.
 
 

KYW's Mark Abrams reports that Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell spoke privately with Septa officials on Wednesday to discuss the status of the negotiations. The governor was also expected to have conversation with Transit Workers Union leader Willie Brown.

Brown talked about SEPTA's last offer on Wednesday (see related story):

"For those who said they offered us an 11-percent increase, I'm challenging them to live up to their word."

Brown says the raise offer didn't take into account what he considers givebacks elsewhere in the proposed contract. Brown also claims the talks collapsed because of historically underfunded pensions for the union.

Septa officials insist they are ready to talk at any time, but union officials have not indicated when they would be willing to resume talks.