The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) provides public transit and rail services in the five county region of Southeastern Pennsylvania. It features an integrated network of 204 bus, trolley, trackless trolley, subway elevated, high speed rail routes, commuter railroad and special ParaTransit service for disabled riders.
All requests for use of SEPTA equipment and/or facilities require advance notice in writing – at least four weeks for commuter trains, subway trains and trolleys; and at least two weeks notice for buses and stations. SEPTA encourages the use of its system for production purposes. It is experienced in all phases of location pre production and production.
The following is a listing of SEPTA vehicles and facilities with information and charges as they relate to film productions. The charter of SEPTA property does not grant the right to use that property in a reckless manner. (See Procurement for the lease of surplus property.)
A SEPTA bus (40’) may be chartered (accessible to handicapped). Rate: (includes one operator) $270 for the first three hours, $84 per hour for each additional hour. There will be a cancellation charge of $90 for more than 2 hours notice and $150 for less than 2 hours notice. Deposit per bus is $150.
For a 2 car train (includes engineer, conductor, supervisor) $1650.00 for the first three hours, each additional car is $250 per hour for the first three hours. After the initial 2 hours, each additional hour for a 2 car train is $450.00 per hour, and each additional hour for each additional car is charged at a rate of $150.00 per hour or fraction thereof no mileage charge. Additional personnel required will be charged accordingly.
Trackless Trolleys may be used only where there are overhead wires. Rate: (includes one operator) $225 for the first three hours; $70 per hour for each additional hour.
The SEPTA trolley system operates on city streets in mixed traffic. The neighborhoods served date from the 1890’s to the 1930’s. Vintage trolleys from the 1920’s and 1940’s as well as modern air conditioned trolleys are available for charter. Weekends and evenings when service is reduced are the best times to charter the trolleys. Some trackage (non revenue) used for emergency or equipment moves is available during week days. Trolleys are also operated on two suburban routes along private rights of way and small amounts of street operation. Charges: (includes one operator) $400 for the first two hours, $45 for each additional half hour. Deposit per vehicle is $150.
The Broad Street Line runs entirely underground between Fern Rock in North Philadelphia to Pattison Avenue (stadiums) in South Philadelphia. The Market Frankford Line runs between 69th Street Terminal in West Philadelphia to Bridge and Pratt Streets Terminal in Northeast Philadelphia. It is underground in Center City and becomes an elevated train for approximately three miles at the western end and six miles at the eastern end of the line. There is also the Ridge Avenue Spur of the system, where, from Mondays through Saturdays, between 9:00 P.M. 5:00 A.M. and all day Sunday, a production company can control all movement. Very limited control of a train is available on the Market Frankford Line late at night. Chartered subway and elevated trains must be operated according to instructions from an assigned Supervisor.
Subway station scenes, with controlled movement of approximately two city blocks into and out of a station may be done at the Pattison Avenue station, providing there are no events taking place at the stadiums at the time. The Walnut Locust Station may also be used for mainly stationary shots. Use of other stations subject to SEPTA approval.
Charges: (For a 3 4 car train: includes one operator, conductor and supervisor) $1575.00 for the first three hours, $400.00 per hour for each additional hour (or fraction thereof); no mileage charge. Additional cars, $200.00 per hour for the first three hours, $100.00 each additional hour. Any additional personnel required (platform, signal, tower, passenger attendants, or station personnel) will be charged accordingly.
Subway Elevated
Market Frankford Line Four cars
Broad Street Subway Three cars
Chartering the SEPTA High Speed Line, which operates from 69th Street Terminal to Norristown through picturesque countryside suburban settings is available. Charter rates are same as the trolleys.
Complete control of a train is available on some lines Mondays through Saturdays between midnight and 5:00 A.M. and all day Sundays. All other charters will require the continuous movement of the train on the system, operated in accordance with instructions from an assigned SEPTA supervisor. Use of the Paoli Line and 30th St. Station requires additional permission from Amtrak. Additional personnel will be charged accordingly.
Rail Vehicle Restrictions: Because rail vehicles operate on tracks with other rail vehicles, total control of a chartered rail vehicle is extremely limited. SEPTA usually requires at least two weeks notice prior to approving scenes involving rail vehicles.
All charters are dependent upon the availability of vehicles.
The following facilities are available for film productions: Suburban Station, 150 Regional Rail Line Stations (Paoli Line stations require additional permission from AMTRAK), 54 subway stations, 9 bus depots, 3 trolley depots (depots have side yards that may be used for productions.)
SEPTA charges a flat fee for access to facilities and a legal agreement may be required. The Authority will specify appropriate insurances and SEPTA personnel required.
It is possible to place non SEPTA equipment on SEPTA tracks and vice versa if the systems are compatible and if the track desired is still electrifiable. If the track is still able to be electrified, but not currently electrified, there will be considerable charges for labor required. A request of this sort will require a 30 day notice, additional legal paperwork and a general agreement between the two systems.
Right of way access fee for movement of a non septa train over septa right of way:
First 4 hours is $450, and each additional hour is $125. There is an electronic propulsion charge per train mile of $2.25.
SEPTA may charge administrative fees depending on the scope of the film project.
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