SEPTA, union reach agreement but Monday commute remains difficult

PHILADELPHIA -- SEPTA has reached a tentative agreement with a workers' union which ends a strike, but commuters will have one more difficult commute.

A five-year agreement was announced early Monday morning that ends the walkout by TWU Local 234, but service will not be fully restored for the morning commute. City buses, trolleys, the Market-Frankford line and the Broad Street Line subway will all be phased back into service on Monday, with normal service back on Tuesday in time for Election Day.

"We believe this agreement is fair to our employees and to the fare-paying customers and taxpayers who fund SEPTA. It provides for wage increases, pension improvements and maintains health care coverage while addressing rising costs," Pasquale T. Deon, SEPTA board chairman, said in a statement.

Deon thanked riders for their patience during the strike which started last Tuesday.

SEPTA's Regional Rail lines were not affected by the strike and will continue normal service.

The full union membership will take a ratification vote on the contract prior to it going before SEPTA's full board for approval. No date has been set for the union vote.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com.

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