SEPTA restores key rail service – Bucks Round-Up – January 12, 2026
SEPTA Restores Key Rail service
SEPTA resumed several major services Monday morning, easing months-long frustrations for thousands of Bucks County commuters who rely on Regional Rail and Center City trolley routes to reach Philadelphia. Most notably, morning express service on Regional Rail lines from the suburbs into Center City returned for the first time in months. That includes multiple lines serving Bucks County, such as the Lansdale/Doylestown, Trenton, Warminster, and West Trenton lines. Riders say the express trains are a major time-saver after prolonged delays caused by equipment shortages. SEPTA has been gradually returning Silverliner IV rail cars to service following federally mandated inspections tied to several onboard fires earlier this year. The restoration of the express service is seen as a significant step toward stabilizing the system for daily commuters. In Center City, the T-trolley Tunnel reopened at 5 a.m. Monday after being closed since mid-November for emergency repairs. The tunnel — an underground connection linking Center City with West Philadelphia near the University of Pennsylvania — had been shut down following a failed upgrade that caused additional infrastructure damage and left riders stranded during earlier incidents. While the tunnel is now open, SEPTA officials cautioned that overnight closures will continue through February to complete remaining repair work. Thousands of riders typically use the tunnel daily when it is fully operational.
Doylestown nonprofit offers new grants for youth services
Foundations Community Partnership (FCP), based in Doylestown, is now accepting applications for its Partnership in Youth Services grant cycle, aimed at supporting Bucks County nonprofits serving children, young adults, and families. Eligible organizations can apply for grants of up to $5,000 by February 1, 2026. This grant cycle is limited to nonprofits applying to FCP for the first time, with the goal of building new long-term partnerships. Each year, the program distributes approximately $90,000 to support innovative behavioral health and human service initiatives. Details and applications are available at fcpartnership.org/grants.
Homeless man identified after fatal SEPTA train incident
The Bucks County Coroner’s Office has identified the man struck and killed by a SEPTA Regional Rail train last Wednesday night as 23-year-old Thomas Palaio, who was experiencing homelessness. Palaio was hit just before 8:30 p.m. by a southbound West Trenton Line train between the Langhorne and Neshaminy Falls stations and was pronounced dead at the scene. No passengers or SEPTA employees were injured. Rail service beyond Neshaminy Falls was suspended for the remainder of the night, with normal operations resuming Thursday.
Joe LeCompte hosts LeCompte in the Morning on WBCB 1490.
