Station Review #65: Chelten (SEPTA)


Chelten Avenue is a station on SEPTA's Chestnut Hill West line, located on Chelten avenue in West Germantown. 

History
Chelten station in 1916

Chelten station was created by the Pennsylvania Railroad for their rail line to Fort Washington/Whitemarsh in 1884 or so as "Germantown station" but was renamed to "Chelten station" to distinguish it from the Philadelphia and Germantown railroad's Germantown station. Not long after this, A branch to Chestnut Hill was made, which had three new stations, this branch quickly becoming more popular than the branch to Fort Washington itself. Chelten station quickly became a very popular station, as Germantown itself was a popular destination where many lived, (and still do live). Sometime around 1916, the Pennsylvania Railroad started a project for grade separating the line at Chelten Avenue itself, as this area had high traffic. The current station was finished in 1918. 

The 1950s brought great change to Chelten station. First, the old stone building that was next to the platforms that was being used as the station house was demolished and replaced by a smaller brick building, which is still used today. Secondly, the Fort Washington branch lost passenger service, all service now went to Chestnut Hill West station. The Fort Washington branch would go on to be abandoned and turned into a rail trail and road in Philadelphia, and then the flourtown to Whitemarsh segment became part of the Fort Washington expressway (PA-309). 

Sometime in the 1970s-1980s, Chelten station became Chelten Avenue station. S
Ever since then, very little has changed about the station. 

Tour
Gate to the station

Chelten Avenue station is a heavy rail-esque station, at least in terms of what you would expect in the US. Wait, is it Chelten or Chelten Avenue? That is a good question that cannot easily be answered because all of the signage is old and inconsistent! If I wasn't as lost on this as everyone else I'd try to answer this, alas, I too am not sure. 

Staircase

Graffitti

Platform

The platforms from above
Train

An exit

Despite this station having full high level platforms, it's innaccessible due to a lack of an elevator. If elevators are added (this is planned) then the station will become accessible.

Bench.

Old signage of the R8

Station house

Next to the station house is the parking lot, which is extremely small with only 24 spaces. 

Water fountain

The station house is a small building where there is a table inside of it and a couple of chairs, and not much else. 

Transit Connections

Some buses

There are a couple of bus routes that directly connect to Chelten Station, these include

J: This bus goes from Chelten Station to Bridesburg via Lindley avenue. This is the Logan station crosstown for the BSL.

K: This bus goes from Ridge and Midvale in East Falls to Arrott Transportation Center, but does this via Germantown, West AND East Oak Lanes, Walnut Park, Lawncrest, Cedar Grove, Northwood, before ending in Frankford. The K tries to be multiple crosstown routes at the same time and in doing so ends up being very circuitous

26: This route goes from Chelten Station to Frankford Transportation Center via Chelten, Chew, and Olney avenues. The 26 west of Front and Olney is radically different than the 26 east of Front and Olney. East of this intersection the 26 goes on Tabor, Levick, Algon, Magee, Bustleton, Harbison, and Frankford, before going to Frankford TC. This is not great, but it's better than what once was the main variant, which instead continued on Harbison until Bridge Street, before going to Frankford TC. This route is incredibly circuitous and it's nice to know that it will be made even worse after the Bus Revolution happens.

Points of Interest near Chelten Avenue Station

Near Chelten Avenue station, there are a lot of stores, very tall apartments, and a library. This doesn't sound like much but it's more than enough to keep just about anyone occupied.

Statistics:

Name: Chelten Avenue 
Agency: SEPTA
Line(s): Chestnut Hill West
Locality: West Germantown
City/Township: Philadelphia 
County: Philadelphia 
State: Pennsylvania 
Ridership: 666 average weekday riders (2017)

Amenity Checklist:

Accessible: ×
Bathrooms: ✓
Bicycle parking: ✓
Clean Station: ✓
Connections to other transit routes: ✓
Easy passage for each side: ✓
Fare Payment Kiosks (if applicable): ✓
Good Wayfinding: ✓
Indoor Shelters: ✓
Maps: ✓
Multiple entrances/exits: ✓
Adequate Parking: ✓ 
Seating:  ✓
Shelters: ✓
Station In Good Condition: ✓
Ticket Kiosks (if applicable): ×
Ticket Offices: × (Closed as of Feb. 2024)
TOD: ✓
Train Departure/Arrival Info (signs that update/screens): ×
Updated/Useful Signage: ×

Final Verdict: 5/10. 

Station Directory

-------Philadelphia County--------
''''''''CCC Zone''''''''
Jefferson (Market East)
Suburban
30th Street
''''''''Zone 1''''''''
Queen Lane
Chelten Avenue
''''''''Zone 2''''''''
Tulpehocken
Upsal
Carpenter
Richard Allen Lane
St. Martin's
Highland
Chestnut Hill West

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