SEPTA strikers may block rail lines

Traffic snarls could become even worse if Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority union employees attempt to blockade suburban riders from boarding what is left of SEPTA's regional rail service today. Fears of a protest -- and even violence -- emerged after rumors began to circulate that members of Transport Workers Union Local 234 were going to picket the suburban rail lines, possibly placing a stranglehold on the remaining operational parts of the region's mass transportation network. And with tensions rising, it appears that the SEPTA strike, moving into its seventh day today, will not end any time soon. The SEPTA strike has shut down all city bus, trolley and subway service lines, affecting about 300,000 transit users. SEPTA's suburban Red Arrow division went on strike at 12:02 a.m. yesterday, which will probably strand about 21,500 suburban riders this morning. University faculty, staff, and students have also been affected by the strike and are using any means necessary to get to the University. The Red Arrow division includes the Norristown High Speed Line, the Media and Sharon Hill trolleys and bus routes that operate from the Victory District in Upper Darby. And in order to better deal with the strike, the University will continue implementing its contingency plan. Free shuttle bus service is operating in conjunction with Drexel University, providing transportation between the campus and a few strategic transit stops in the Philadelphia area. All faculty, staff and students with PennCards are eligible to ride the shuttle. However, University spokesperson Barbara Beck said she was not informed about any new contingency plans stemming from the Red Arrow strike. She added that University employees have been coping well with the strike and managers are being "flexible" with employees' lateness. "Penn employees are fairly resourceful and have been finding ways to get in," Beck said. "No one's happy about it. You figure out how to do it." Interim Vice President for Human Resources John Gould agreed, saying that managers are providing flexible hours to their workers. "It's been difficult for some folks, but so far we're doing pretty well," Gould said.