SEPTA: No buying tickets on Regional Rail during PM commute

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- SEPTA is no longer allowing Regional Rail riders to buy tickets on trains if they're leaving Philadelphia during the evening rush.

As of Monday, Regional Rail passengers must show their tickets or passes before boarding any afternoon train from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

All fares will be collected or validated before customers go to the platform area at Temple, Jefferson, Suburban, 30th and University City Regional Rail Stations.

SEPTA officials say the change was spurred by scheduling issues created by the loss of more than a 100 rail cars due to a structural defect.

SEPTA said riders complained that some fellow passengers were receiving free rides because conductors didn't have time to check all tickets on overcrowded trains.

In addition, a number of new Regional Rail trains were added to the schedule on Monday.

On the Lansdale, Doylestown line, a new train will depart 30th Street at 5:30 p.m. with express service from Temple University to Glenside.

On the Warminster line, a new train will depart Warminster Station at 6:58 a.m. with local service to Center City.

On the Trenton line, train #7204 will originate from Trenton departing at 6:35 a.m.

ONLINE: SEPTA.org/service/contingency.html