SEPTA Route 59 explained

Number:Route 59
Bgcolor:
  1. 41525b
Subheader:Castor–Bustleton to Arrott Transportation Center
Operatorlogo:SEPTA.svg
Oplogo Width:70px
Image Alt:Route 59 trackless trolley en route to Bells Corner
System:Frankford District[1]
Operator:SEPTA City Transit Division
Open: (trackless trolleys)
Routes:-->
Locale:Philadelphia
Communities:Northeast Philadelphia
Start:Bells Corner Loop (Castor and Bustleton Avenues)
Via:Castor Avenue, Oxford Avenue
End:Arrott Transportation Center
Length:4.1miles
Time:17 minutes
Ridership:4,068 (2019 weekday average)
Annualpatronage:1,182,018 (FY2019)
Timetable Link:Route 59 schedule
Previous Line:58
System Nav:City Transit Division
Next Line:60

SEPTA Route 59 is a trackless trolley line operated by SEPTA that runs from the Market–Frankford Line at Arrott Transportation Center Station to Bells Corner in Rhawnhurst, primarily along Oxford and Castor Avenues. Major stops along the route include Oxford Circle and the Alma Loop in Castor, which is near a shopping center and a junior high and senior high school.

The trackless trolleys (or trolleybuses) replaced trolley cars (streetcars) on the route on in June 25, 1950.[2]

Diesel buses temporarily replaced trackless trolleys on route 59 in June 2002,[2] because of reconstruction of Frankford Depot (garage) and the adjacent Market-Frankford "El" viaduct and station, which required the temporary removal of the overhead trolley wires used by trackless trolleys both at the garage and along the deadhead route (under the El viaduct) connecting route 59 to the garage. However, trackless service was restored in April 2008.[3] All of the vehicles currently in use are ADA-compliant and equipped with bicycle racks.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: SEPTA Route Statistics 2018 . . September 2, 2019.
  2. Springirth, Kenneth C. (2008). Southeastern Pennsylvania Trolleys, pp. 10 and 115–116. Charleston, SC (US): Arcadia Publishing. .
  3. Trolleybus Magazine No. 280 (July–August 2008), p. 95. National Trolleybus Association (UK). ISSN 0266-7452.