Uwishunu.com

Phillies fans who hoped to bask in the glow of last night’s win throughout today had a rude awakening this morning. At approximately 3 a.m. this morning, Septa workers walked off their jobs, signalling the beginning of a transit strike. This means that all city buses, trolleys and subways ceased operation (Frontier Division buses in Bucks, Montgomery, and Chester counties are also halted). Regional rail, the Norristown High Speed Line and University City’s LUCY Loop continue to run.

Commuters who are dependent on the subways, buses and trolleys had to do a bit of scrambling today in order to get to work on time. Without Septa, transit options include cars (for those lucky enough to be so equipped) bikes or good old shoe leather.

For the drivers out there, may we suggest a visit to our parking deals page? It details PPA parking options and discounts around the city. Additionally, consider teaming up with neighbors and co-workers to form ad-hoc carpools. Traffic always gets worse during Septa strikes, but if you get three or four people per car, you can decrease roadway congestion and speed your ride a little.

Taxi cabs can be another good option when Septa isn’t running. However, remember that lots of people will be turning to the cabs, so hailing one off the street will become increasing difficult. The best plan of action is to identify 2-3 cab companies with which you feel comfortable and keep those numbers on hand. Call at least 30-45 minutes before you need to leave, to ensure a cab will be available when you are.

If you’ve decided to bike the strike, the Bicycle Coalition of Philadelphia is offering a bike parking corral and service station at City Hall starting this afternoon and continuing until Septa is back to full capacity. Also, don’t forget those new bike lanes that run river to river on Spruce and Pine Streets, exceedingly helpful if you have a commute that runs east/west or west/east.

Decided that your best option is walking to work? Eat a good breakfast before you head out (coffee isn’t fuel enough for a multiple-mile power stroll). Make sure to strap on comfortable, supportive kicks and fill a water bottle to ensure proper hydration.