A freak accident on Oxford Avenue in November could lead to major changes in the Route 18 bus line between Fox Chase and Cedarbrook, a route described by one SEPTA official as “exploding” with riders.
Fran Kelly, SEPTA’s assistant general manager for public affairs, briefed residents during the monthly meeting of the Fox Chase Homeowners Association and Town Watch on Jan. 13 at American Legion Post 366.
On Nov. 2 at about 12:30 p.m., a bus exited the dedicated turnaround loop at Oxford Avenue and Loney Street, striking an oversized tractor-trailer that was traveling northbound on Oxford. The tractor cab and bus both skidded toward the storefront of the Blooming Artist Studio, with the tractor crashing through the facade.
A woman was inside the studio, but was not injured. The bus driver and both passengers on board were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The truck driver was not injured, according to published reports. He was towing an oversized flatbed trailer with a heavy front-end loader on it. Kelly said last week that the rig had a police escort, but the officer had pulled ahead to clear the next intersection at Rhawn Street.
Meanwhile, the bus driver pulled out just as the rig approached. Kelly said that the bus with an articulated model - — those are the extra-long vehicles with an accordion-like joint in the middle that’s intended to help it navigate turns. But in the case of the Fox Chase turnaround, the elongated buses have to stray into oncoming traffic anyway when exiting onto southbound Oxford Avenue.
Kelly reported that the Fox Chase-Cedarbrook route is one of the agency’s fastest growing with about 18,000 riders a day. It’s an 11-mile route that passes through Burholme, Lawncrest, Olney and La Salle University on the way to the Cedarbrook Shopping Plaza at Cheltenham and Wadsworth avenues.
The former trolley line always had a turnaround in Fox Chase, but the entrance and exit were reversed so that trolleys entered the loop via Oxford and exited onto Loney Street. Restoring that configuration is one idea that’s being discussed, Kelly said. That scenario could result in parking snarls in front of several businesses on Loney, however.
Another possibility would be to widen the exit, but that might infringe on the neighboring Lions’ Park.
Kelly said that SEPTA will be consulting with City Council members and the civic association board to determine other possible solutions and how to implement them. He offered to keep neighbors updated at future civic meetings.
In unrelated business:
• Steve Phillips, president of the Fox Chase Town Watch, asked the community to support a GoFundMe campaign to benefit the group’s vice president and longtime National Night Out chairman, John P. Duffy, who suffered a stroke three years ago.
Duffy is paralyzed on the left side of his body and has lost his right hand due to blood clotting. Insurance is not covering his needs, including medication and health aids. To donate online, visit the “John P. Duffy” page on GoFundMe.com.
• Newly sworn City Councilman Al Taubenberger, a Fox Chase resident, thanked neighbors for helping elect him to an at-large seat. Taubenberger said he’s aspired to hold public office for years and is thankful that he finally made it.
He will serve on the Rules Committee, the Parks and Recreation Committee and a dozen other committees. He introduced Chris Wright as his legislative director and Lou Feinberg as constituent services director.
• Rodney Moore, a spokesman for the Department of Streets, reminded residents that any mattress placed at the curb for trash collection must be bagged in plastic and sealed to prevent the spread of bed bugs. Bags are available from home improvement stores and other retail outlets.
During the winter months, residents are allowed to place their trash and recyclables at the curb after 5 p.m. on the evening before scheduled collection day. That’s two hours earlier than during warm-weather months.
Anyone who wants to report illegal dumping should call 215–685–4275. Witnesses should get a license plate number of any vehicle involved, along with a company name if it’s visible. They should try to provide a description of the dumper and vehicle.
• Chicken pet advocate Maureen Breen asked residents to back her campaign to amend the city ordinance that bans people from keeping farm animals at their homes. Breen thinks that chickens should be permitted because they are quieter than dogs and provide healthy eggs, while eating bugs. Email Breen via [email protected] to get involved. ••
