Station Review #9: Susquehanna Dauphin Station (SEPTA) (OLD)

Susquehanna - Dauphin is a subway station on SEPTA's Broad Street Line. The station is located on Broad Street, between Susquehanna and Dauphin, on the borders of multiple neighborhoods in North Philadelphia. 

Attempting to Maneuver Around Susquehanna - Dauphin

Staircase

There are stairs on both Susquehanna and Dauphin streets. As per usual, the stairs have many things you would typically expect of a structure like this in a Broad Street line subway station. There is not much, but there does not need to be. Also, as per usual the stairs are very dirty, but it's the average amount for a BSL station. 

What is this thing?

Halfway down the stairs, I saw this thing, I don't know what it is either. Otherwise, everything at the stairs is completely normal.

It's when you get past the stairs do things suddenly become out of the normal...

Before anything, I may as well mention that the station has the normal mosaic decorations. Unfortunately for you, you would already be moving forward, surprised by the sight directly ahead.

Anyone who's seen a corridor like this should know what comes next. More specifically, how far you need to walk to get to the turnstiles. This station is unique for this reason, mostly done to keep the station between Susquehanna and Dauphin. 


Halfway through, there is a sign and fence put aside, which doesn't help you in any way but admittedly does add to the atmosphere of the station. 

And here are the fare kiosks, which are, well, standard SEPTA fare kiosks. Note the ramps mentioned, people miss those and trip on the platforms a lot. 


Susquehanna Station still goes on further, oddly reminiscent of a maze. 

Eventually, you get to the turnstiles, and the weird fencing in the middle of the station. 


Immediately after paying and minding the ramp, you see this as well, blocking you from about half of the platform. This is because this station is undergoing construction, mainly to add elevators that would make this station accessible (it currently is not). 

Example of the construction

Despite all of this, the platform was actually clean when I last used this station, though there were very few places to sit. 

Exit turnstiles between the fencing

However, despite this, the station still had an odd feeling due to the sheer amount of fencing everywhere in the station. 

Eventually, my train came, and I went further southbound. 

Transit Connections


Sign for route 39

Susquehanna - Dauphin is directly served by bus route 39, which links the station to the York - Dauphin loop and Kensington. As is most other BSL stations, Susquehanna - Dauphin Station is served by routes 4 and 16 as well, while routes 2 and 23 are nearby. 

Nearby Points of Interest 

The area around Broad and Susquehanna

There isn't much around this area. To the south, you have the northern half of Temple University's main campus. There are also a few stores and the Uptown Theater. A few years ago, there was a doll museum in the area, but that appears to be permanently closed, unfortunately. 

Now, time for the amenity checklist:

Mid-Sized Train Station Amenity Checklist

Accessible: × (This will be changing soon)
Bathrooms: × 
Clean Station: ~
Connections to other transit routes: ✓
Easy passage for each side: ×
Fare Payment Kiosks (if applicable): ✓
Indoor Shelters: ✓ (its underground)
Maps: ✓
Multiple entrances/exits: ✓
Parking: × (subway stations shouldn't have parking)
Seating: ×
Shelters: ✓ (It's a subway station)
Station In Good Condition: ✓
Ticket Kiosks (if applicable): ✓
Ticket Offices: ✓
TOD: ✓
Train Departure/Arrival Info (signs that update/screens): ✓
Updated Signage: ✓ 


Verdict: 3/10

This is probably one of the worst stations on the Broad Street line to use.  

Station Directory

--------Philadelphia County--------
Olney Transportation Center
Logan
Wyoming
Hunting Park
Erie
Allegheny
Susquehanna - Dauphin
Cecil B. Moore
Girard
Fairmount
Spring Garden
City Hall
Walnut - Locust
Lombard - South 
Federal - Ellsworth
Tasker - Morris
Snyder
Oregon
NRG (Pattison)



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