PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The Latest on a tentative agreement to end the Philadelphia transit strike (all times local):
5:30 p.m.
Philadelphia’s main transit agency says it’s on track to restore full service for Election Day after a contract disagreement with its union shut down buses, trolleys and subway trains for a week.
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority says trains were operating every 6 minutes on the Market-Frankford line and every 10 minutes on the Broad Street line for the Monday evening commute.
Limited service was restored on all bus routes by midafternoon. Limited trolley service also resumed.
SEPTA and the union representing about 4,700 transit workers announced a tentative contract agreement early Monday.
Transit officials say it usually takes 24 hours to have all its buses, trolleys and subway trains running after a shutdown.
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9:40 a.m.
Subways are running again - with limited service - in Philadelphia after a tentative contract agreement was reached between the city’s transit agency and its union.
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority says trains are operating every 15 minutes on the Market-Frankford line and every 20 minutes on the Broad Street line. They started moving again at 9 a.m. Monday.
SEPTA reached a tentative-five year deal with the union representing about 4,700 workers earlier Monday morning. Workers have been on strike since Tuesday.
However, service will be gradually phased in throughout the day Monday.
Heavy traffic still clogged streets during the morning rush and commuters faced regional rail delays despite the settlement.
SEPTA expects to have service on subways, buses, and trolleys fully restored in time for Tuesday’s election.
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8 a.m.
Heavy traffic is clogging streets and commuters are facing delays despite a tentative contract ending Philadelphia’s weeklong transit strike.
Terms of the five-year deal reached early Monday between the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority with the union representing about 4,700 workers have not been released.
SEPTA plans to gradually phase in service Monday, starting with subways, buses and trolleys.
SEPTA’s Fox Chase and Chestnut Hill West Lines are operating with delays of up to 60 minutes due to earlier switch and power problems.
All other SEPTA Regional Rail lines are operating with delays of up to 30 minutes due to signal problems.
SEPTA expects to have service on subways, buses, trolleys fully restored in time for Tuesday’s election.
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7 a.m.
A tentative deal ending Philadelphia’s weeklong transit strike is not easing the ride to work.
Commuters are facing heavy traffic Monday even though the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority reached a tentative-five year deal with the union representing about 4,700 workers early Monday morning.
SEPTA plans to gradually phase in service Monday, starting with subways, buses and trolleys. But that can’t happen until it checks equipment that has sat idle since workers walked out Nov. 1 over issues including pension benefits and the amount of time off given to drivers between shifts.
All SEPTA Regional Rail lines are operating with delays of up to 30 minutes due to signal problems.
SEPTA expects to have service fully restored in time for Election Day on Tuesday.
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6:15 a.m.
Philadelphia’s mayor is thankful a transit strike that has choked the city’s streets with traffic over six days is ending.
Mayor Jim Kenney on Monday issued a statement thanking residents and commuters for their patience.
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority reached a tentative-five year deal with the union representing about 4,700 workers early Monday morning.
The mayor urged union members and the SEPTA board to approve it.
SEPTA says service will be restored gradually Monday and full service is expected for Tuesday, Election Day.
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5:40 a.m.
Philadelphia’s transit strike has ended in its seventh day.
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority says it has reached a tentative-five year deal with the union representing about 4,700 workers early Monday morning.
SEPTA Board Chairman Pasquale Deon is a fair deal that provides “wage increases, pension improvements, and maintains health care coverage levels while addressing rising costs.” The deal is still subject to ratification by union members and must be approved by the SEPTA board.
Some officials were concerned that the strike could dampen voter turnout if it continued through Election Day.
SEPTA says service will be restored gradually Monday. Full service is expected for Tuesday.
SEPTA workers walked out after midnight Nov. 1 over issues including pension benefits and the amount of time off given to drivers between shifts.
The result has been traffic gridlock at morning and evening rush hours; jammed and delayed regional rail service and higher absenteeism at the city’s high schools.
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12:30 a.m.
The city of Philadelphia has filed a motion in state court seeking an injunction to temporarily halt the city’s transit strike for Election Day.
The court is expected to hear the city’s motion Monday morning.
A union representing about 4,700 workers went on strike just after midnight last Monday after it was unable to reach a contract agreement with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority. Buses, trolleys and subways were shut down.
Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf says he intends to file a legal document in support of an injunction request filed by SEPTA last week, saying the strike has been devastating for many.
A judge is to hear more arguments Monday after declining to issue an injunction Friday.
The walkout is the ninth since 1975 by the city transit union.
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