Front row rail seats prove to be a liability for SEPTA
Things just got a little more peaceful for SEPTA engineers. The first bench in each of the new Silverliner Regional Rail cars will be roped off, as SEPTA recently decided the front-row view can be dangerous for riders. No more making funny faces at the engineer and asking, “Are we there yet?”
As PlanPhilly reports, the engineer cab-adjacent “railfan” seats that give riders a front row view of their trip are a liability. Collisions on Regional Rail are higher than on subway lines, due to extra grade crossings (about 4,500 per day), and trains are more likely to collide with heavy objects like cars.
The cool view just isn’t worth the insurance risk for SEPTA. PlanPhilly did the math, and estimates a maximum total of 122 losts seats during afternoon rush hour.
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