PATCO is phasing in service changes starting Monday for deep cleaning

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PATCO is changing up weekday overnight service on the Speedline to “address safety and cleanliness concerns,” which includes stopping owl service for six months beginning in September.

Starting Monday, the first phase of the rollout will temporarily close specific stations from midnight to 4:30 a.m. and reopen them on a rotating two-week basis to “allow for focused cleaning, maintenance, and safety operations,” according to a release.

Here’s the list of service changes:

• July 14–25: Lindenwold Station and 8th and Market Street Station will be closed overnight on weekdays from midnight to 4:30 a.m.; 9/10th and Locust Street Station will be open.
• July 28 to Aug. 8: Broadway Station and 15/16th and Locust Street Station will be closed overnight on weekdays from midnight to 4:30 a.m. City Hall Station will be open.
• Aug. 11–22: Lindenwold Station and 8th and Market Station will be closed. 9/10th and Locust Street Station will be open.
• Aug. 25–29: Broadway Station and 15/16th and Locust Street Station will be closed. City Hall Station will be open.

Phase two will begin Sept. 1, which will completely suspend weekday overnight service on the PATCO Speedline for six months to “address ongoing conditions in the city-owned concourse areas and to create time and space for cleaning, maintenance, and public safety work to take place more effectively.”

The closures are part of a collaborative effort with PATCO, the Delaware River Port Authority and the city of Philadelphia. James Schultz, DRPA board chairman, said the partnership “has been instrumental in increasing the safety and security of our employees and customers.”

“We are taking meaningful steps to enhance safety, improve system cleanliness, and ensure PATCO remains a dependable and secure transit option for the communities we serve,” Schultz said.

Weekend overnight service will not be affected during the service changes. Trains will run from 4:30 a.m. on Fridays to 11:59 p.m. on Sundays.