Econsult Solutions, Inc. (ESI) principals Richard Voith and Peter Angelides wrote an op-ed piece for PlanPhilly.com on the Philadelphia Commuter Rail Tunnel that was published on the site on Nov. 21, 2014.

The piece discusses the tunnel as it reaches the 30th anniversary of its opening, its origins and how the city, SEPTA and commuters can further utilize and improve the tunnel into the future as Philadelphia continues to grow.

An excerpt from the piece:

“The Commuter Tunnel provides access to 3 of the 4 most dynamic live/work areas in the region:  Temple University, Center City, and University City with 5 separate stops. Unfortunately, service characteristics have not been adjusted to this new reality. Realizing the Commuter Tunnel’s potential—and fully serving the region by providing excellent access to Greater Center City —requires much faster service from Temple University through Center City to University City. Millions of riders every year endure painfully slow service in the core of the commuter rail system. SEPTA, the city, and the region need to take steps to realize the true potential of the Commuter Tunnel.

“Travel needs to be faster in the core of the system, including the tunnel, so that commuter rail is competitive for commuters from the west who want to go beyond Suburban Station to the dynamic Temple University area. Similarly, commuters from the north who want to go to the Eds and Meds in University City need a faster trip through Center City. And by the way, these improvements would also benefit those traveling to the traditional area of Center City, reverse commuters living in Center City, and suburb-to-suburb commutes as well as neighborhood-to-city or suburb commutes. And it is clearly within our grasp.”

You can read the entire piece here.