Station Review #5: Allegheny Station (SEPTA)


Allegheny Station is a SEPTA train station located on 22nd and Allegheny, in the Allegheny neighborhood of Philadelphia. This station is the southernmost station on the Manayunk - Norristown line that us unique to the line, as North Broad also serves the Lansdale - Doylestown line. Allegheny is a Zone 1 station. 

Train at the station

Allegheny Station is located on the side of an overpass, and this means a lot of things for the station. More specifically, a good train station on the side of an overpass would not only have the good views that stations of this type are known for, but need more features for accessibility. 

22nd and Allegheny

22nd north of Allegheny

The sign from above

For what it has in views, this station does not make up any of that in terms of accessibility. In order to get to the station, you have to take two fairly steep staircases (one for northbound, one for southbound). There is no ramp. And to make everything worse, the platforms are not high platforms, and it's a bit of an ordeal to get on and off the train. 

Stairs, these really show how cramped the station is

Actually, I have another photo showing just how many stairs you need to go up to get here on one of the sides

Despite all of this, it's still more accessible than Eddington (at the station, not counting trying to cross I-95 to get there).

Station Tour

At the station, there is a shelter, a canopy with a few benches, the map, notices, etc. There is no ramp for wheelchair users to get into the train. 

The shelter

Also, for some reason, the shelter is locked and painted over.  
The shelter being unopenable
Notices and Map

Something that bugged me about this station is how dirty it was. It wasn't at North Philadelphia levels (nothing smelled dead), but it was definitely noticeably dirty and unkempt. 

The Canopy

Full view of one side of the station

Transit Connections
Transit connections are one of this station's strong suits. This station is on 22nd and Allegheny, both streets served by buses. On 22nd street, there's the 33 bus, while Allegheny avenue has the 60 bus. With these two particular buses, you can access quite a bit of the city. (Another unrelated boon to the location is the Dunkin Donuts next to it that allows commuters to get breakfast quickly before taking a train). 

And with that, it's time for ranking! 

Mid-Sized Train Station Amenities:


Accessible: ×
Bathrooms: ×
Clean Station: ×
Connections to other transit routes: ✓
Easy passage for each side: ×
Fare Payment Kiosks (if applicable): ✓
Indoor Shelters: × (there used to be)
Maps: ✓
Multiple entrances/exits: ~ (only on one side)
Parking: ×
Seating: ✓
Shelters: ×
Station In Good Condition: ×
Ticket Kiosks (if applicable): ×
Ticket Offices: ×
TOD: ×
Train Departure/Arrival Info (signs that update/screens): ×
Updated Signage: ✓ (some needs to be replaced because it's fading but otherwise)

Final verdict:
2.7/10

Honestly, the lack of accessibility really did it for me, this station could have gotten something like a 4 or so if it was accessible. Alas, it is not and that's the worst part as it wouldn't have been that bad of a station if it was accessible. SEPTA is really dropping the ball here.

Station Directory

--------Philadelphia County--------
''''''''Center City Zone''''''''
Penn Medicine
30th Street
Suburban
Jefferson (Market East)
''''''''Zone 1''''''''
Allegheny (MNL) 
East Falls
''''''''Zone 2''''''''
Wissahickon
Manayunk
Ivy Ridge
--------Montgomery County--------
Miquon
''''''''Zone 3''''''''
Spring Mill
Conshohocken
Norristown Transportation Center
Norristown Main Street
Norristown Elm Street

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