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|communities=[[Fox Chase, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Fox Chase]], [[Lawndale, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Lawndale]], [[Logan, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Logan]], [[Center City, Philadelphia|Center City]], [[South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|South Philadelphia]]
|communities=[[Fox Chase, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Fox Chase]], [[Lawndale, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Lawndale]], [[Logan, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Logan]], [[Center City, Philadelphia|Center City]], [[South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|South Philadelphia]]
|landmarks=
|landmarks=
|start=5th & Ritner
|start=6th & Oregon
|via= Fifth Street, Oxford Avenue, Rising Sun Avenue
|via= Fifth Street, Oxford Avenue, Rising Sun Avenue
|end=Rising Sun & Knorr
|end=Rising Sun & Knorr
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}}
}}
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'''SEPTA Trolley Route 50''' is a former [[tram|streetcar]] line that was operated by the [[Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority]] (SEPTA) in [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]], [[United States]].
'''Route 50''' is a former [[tram|streetcar]] line that was operated by [[SEPTA]] in [[Philadelphia]], Pennsylvania.


The route ran from the [[Northeast Philadelphia]] neighborhood of [[Fox Chase, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Fox Chase]] on Oxford Avenue and then through [[Lawndale, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Lawndale]] along Rising Sun Avenue, and for a brief period it also shared tracks with [[SEPTA Trolley Route 47]], which was abandoned by the SEPTA Board on June 14, 1969. The Route 50 line then ran southbound down 6th Street in [[North Philadelphia]] and then onto 4th Street & Northbound 5th Streets in [[South Philadelphia]] to and from its southern terminus of 6th Street & Oregon Avenue. A grade-separated subway tunnel was constructed for Route 50 to use while running north under Vine Street. Vine Street Station was the only stop underground, and still exists today, albeit boarded up. The tunnel is still used today by vehicle traffic, and its [[Philadelphia Transportation Company]] heritage is evident in its design.
The route ran from the [[Northeast Philadelphia]] neighborhood of [[Fox Chase, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Fox Chase]] on Oxford Avenue and then through [[Lawndale, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Lawndale]] along Rising Sun Avenue, and for a brief period it also shared tracks with SEPTA Trolley Route 47, which was abandoned by the SEPTA Board on June 14, 1969. The Route 50 line then ran southbound down 6th Street in [[North Philadelphia]] and then onto 4th and northbound 5th streets in [[South Philadelphia]] to and from its southern terminus of 6th Street and Oregon Avenue. A grade-separated subway tunnel was constructed for Route 50 to use while running north under [[Vine Street (Philadelphia)|Vine Street]]. Vine Street Station was the only stop underground, and still exists today, albeit boarded up. The tunnel is still used today by vehicle traffic, and its [[Philadelphia Transportation Company]] heritage is evident in its design.


In 1976 this line saw and used the 1934 Blackpool England "Boat Car" trolley during the Bicentennial of the [[United States Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]]. SEPTA stopped running trolleys on October 11, 1980,<ref>[http://www.phillytrolley.org/routes.html Philadelphia Trolley Routes: By The Numbers (Philadelphia Trolley Tracks)]</ref> claiming the closure was temporary, however the tracks & overhead wires remained in place. In 1983 despite denials by SEPTA management that the closure was intended to be permanent, SEPTA track crews tore up the Route 50 trolley tracks on 5th Street south of Girard Avenue.
In 1976, this line saw and used the 1934 Blackpool England "Boat Car" trolley during the Bicentennial of the [[United States Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]]. SEPTA stopped running trolleys on October 11, 1980,<ref>[http://www.phillytrolley.org/routes.html Philadelphia Trolley Routes: By The Numbers (Philadelphia Trolley Tracks)]</ref> claiming the closure was temporary, however the tracks & overhead wires remained in place. In 1983 despite denials by SEPTA management that the closure was intended to be permanent, SEPTA track crews tore up the Route 50 trolley tracks on 5th Street south of Girard Avenue.


Route 50 cars were stored at the former [[Luzerne Carhouse]], which was located on the southwest corner of 10th and Luzerne Streets. Luzerne Carhouse was shared by the [[SEPTA Route 53|Route 53]] and [[SEPTA Route 56|56]] trolleys, before it was converted into an all bus garage. Today it survives as a cardboard [[recycling]] plant.<ref>[http://www.phillytrolley.org/SIAcarbarns/luzernedepot200701.html Luzerne Depot; SIA Philadelphia Car Barn Tour (PhillyTrolley.org)]</ref><ref>[http://www.phillytrolley.org/luzerne.html Luzerne Depot (PhillyTrolley.org)]</ref>
Route 50 cars were stored at the former Luzerne Carhouse, which was located on the southwest corner of 10th and Luzerne streets. Luzerne Carhouse was shared by the [[SEPTA Route 53|Route 53]] and [[SEPTA Route 56|56]] trolleys, before it was converted into an all bus garage. Today it survives as a cardboard [[recycling]] plant.<ref>[http://www.phillytrolley.org/SIAcarbarns/luzernedepot200701.html Luzerne Depot; SIA Philadelphia Car Barn Tour (PhillyTrolley.org)]</ref><ref>[http://www.phillytrolley.org/luzerne.html Luzerne Depot (PhillyTrolley.org)]</ref>


==Decline and revival in name only==
==Decline and revival in name only==
Despite public criticism by community and transit advocates, SEPTA voted to close the Route 50 trolley line permanently on October 23, 1985. Additionally, the plan involved the closing of the [[SEPTA Route 6]] trolley line along Ogontz Avenue, which wasn't eliminated and replaced with a bus line until January 11, 1986.<ref>SEPTA DERAILS 2 TROLLEY LINES, by Frank Dougherty; Daily News Staff Writer (Philadelphia Daily News (PA) - Thursday, October 24, 1985)</ref> Earlier the same year, the [[SEPTA Route 53|Route 53]] (Wayne Avenue) trolley was also closed, on May 16, 1985.<ref>[http://www.chicagorailfan.com/phldatec.html Philadelphia Transit Routes (Chicago Transit & Railfan Web Site)]</ref>
Despite public criticism by community and transit advocates, SEPTA voted to close the Route 50 trolley line permanently on October 23, 1985. Additionally, the plan involved the closing of the [[SEPTA Route 6]] trolley line along Ogontz Avenue, which was not eliminated and replaced with a bus line until January 11, 1986.<ref>SEPTA DERAILS 2 TROLLEY LINES, by Frank Dougherty; Daily News Staff Writer (Philadelphia Daily News (PA) - Thursday, October 24, 1985)</ref> Earlier the same year, the [[SEPTA Route 53|Route 53]] (Wayne Avenue) trolley was also closed, on May 16, 1985.<ref>[http://www.chicagorailfan.com/phldatec.html Philadelphia Transit Routes (Chicago Transit & Railfan Web Site)]</ref>


==Current service==
==Current service==
Currently, [[SEPTA Route 50|Route 50]] is a SEPTA bus line in Northeast Philadelphia, which runs from the [[Frankford Transportation Center]] to [[Parx Casino and Racing]] in [[Bensalem Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania|Bensalem]]. All buses along this route are [[Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990|ADA]]-compliant, and contain bicycle racks.
[[SEPTA Route 50]] is a [[SEPTA]] bus line in [[Northeast Philadelphia]], which runs from the [[Frankford Transportation Center]] to [[Parx Casino and Racing]] in [[Bensalem Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania|Bensalem]]. All buses along this route are [[Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990|ADA]]-compliant, and contain bicycle racks.


==References==
==References==
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{{SEPTA|state=autocollapse}}
{{SEPTA|state=autocollapse}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Bus transportation in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:SEPTA|50]]
[[Category:SEPTA|50]]
[[Category:SEPTA Light Rail|50]]
[[Category:SEPTA Light Rail|50]]
[[Category:Tram routes in Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Tram routes in Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Transportation in Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Transportation in Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Bus transportation in Pennsylvania]]

Latest revision as of 19:42, 7 September 2024

Route 50
The former Route 50 Trolley at 5th and Market Streets in May 1976.
Overview
OperatorSoutheastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority
GarageLuzerne Depot
StatusOperational (as bus line)
Began service1858
Ended service1980 (as a streetcar line)
Route
LocalePhiladelphia
Communities servedFox Chase, Lawndale, Logan, Center City, South Philadelphia
Start6th & Oregon
ViaFifth Street, Oxford Avenue, Rising Sun Avenue
EndRising Sun & Knorr
Service
Ridership643,720 (FY19)
← {{{previous_line}}}  {{{system_nav}}}  {{{next_line}}} →

Route 50 is a former streetcar line that was operated by SEPTA in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The route ran from the Northeast Philadelphia neighborhood of Fox Chase on Oxford Avenue and then through Lawndale along Rising Sun Avenue, and for a brief period it also shared tracks with SEPTA Trolley Route 47, which was abandoned by the SEPTA Board on June 14, 1969. The Route 50 line then ran southbound down 6th Street in North Philadelphia and then onto 4th and northbound 5th streets in South Philadelphia to and from its southern terminus of 6th Street and Oregon Avenue. A grade-separated subway tunnel was constructed for Route 50 to use while running north under Vine Street. Vine Street Station was the only stop underground, and still exists today, albeit boarded up. The tunnel is still used today by vehicle traffic, and its Philadelphia Transportation Company heritage is evident in its design.

In 1976, this line saw and used the 1934 Blackpool England "Boat Car" trolley during the Bicentennial of the Declaration of Independence. SEPTA stopped running trolleys on October 11, 1980,[1] claiming the closure was temporary, however the tracks & overhead wires remained in place. In 1983 despite denials by SEPTA management that the closure was intended to be permanent, SEPTA track crews tore up the Route 50 trolley tracks on 5th Street south of Girard Avenue.

Route 50 cars were stored at the former Luzerne Carhouse, which was located on the southwest corner of 10th and Luzerne streets. Luzerne Carhouse was shared by the Route 53 and 56 trolleys, before it was converted into an all bus garage. Today it survives as a cardboard recycling plant.[2][3]

Decline and revival in name only

[edit]

Despite public criticism by community and transit advocates, SEPTA voted to close the Route 50 trolley line permanently on October 23, 1985. Additionally, the plan involved the closing of the SEPTA Route 6 trolley line along Ogontz Avenue, which was not eliminated and replaced with a bus line until January 11, 1986.[4] Earlier the same year, the Route 53 (Wayne Avenue) trolley was also closed, on May 16, 1985.[5]

Current service

[edit]

SEPTA Route 50 is a SEPTA bus line in Northeast Philadelphia, which runs from the Frankford Transportation Center to Parx Casino and Racing in Bensalem. All buses along this route are ADA-compliant, and contain bicycle racks.

References

[edit]
[edit]