State Rep. Joe Ciresi (D-Montgomery County) recently traveled via mass transit from his home in Montgomery County to Philadelphia to highlight the need for improved mass transit in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
“It’s no secret that Route 422 resembles a parking lot rather than a road during commuter traffic hours,” Ciresi said. “Even when Montgomery County residents opt to avoid traffic and ride mass transit, many in our community need to drive an hour or more to reach the nearest train – and SEPTA buses experience the same heavy traffic as cars.”
Ciresi traveled from his home in Limerick to a SEPTA station in Pottstown. He then boarded a bus and traveled to the Norristown Transportation Center before boarding a train to Suburban Station in Center City Philadelphia. The trip took 2 hours and 15 minutes.
During the trip, Ciresi was joined by state Rep. Joe Webster (D-Montgomery), who boarded the bus in Collegeville. SEPTA officials also joined the lawmakers.
“Fewer mass transit options results in more cars on the road, which creates more headaches for everyone involved,” Ciresi said. “There are no easy solutions, but I’m committed to working with city, county, and state officials and agencies to improve the situation.”
Last year, Ciresi hosted a town hall to explore options for improving residents’ commutes. One expert discussed trackless trams, which would cost $30 million for a station, three cars, and 10-mile line. The construction of a light passenger rail could cost more than $170 million.
Ciresi noted that he and his staff are working on establishing a Congestion Relief Options Study, which would examine previous analyses along the Route 422 corridor, identify potential options for transit, and include a pre-feasibility analysis.