Hitachi to Upgrade SEPTA's Media-Sharon Hill Trolley Line

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Trolley riders traveling between Media and 69th Street in Philadelphia will soon see safer, more reliable service thanks to Hitachi Rail's new digital signaling system on SEPTA's Media–Sharon Hill Line. The 11.9‑mile upgrade modernizes one of the nation's last interurban trolley systems, improving capacity, monitoring, and safety while integrating with existing operations.

Why it matters

The Media-Sharon Hill trolley line is a vital transportation link for the region, providing commuter service between Media and Philadelphia. The new signaling system from Hitachi will help ensure the long-term viability of this historic trolley route by enhancing safety, reliability, and capacity, which benefits both regular riders and the broader community.

The details

Hitachi Rail's digital signaling upgrade will modernize the Media-Sharon Hill trolley line, one of the last remaining interurban trolley systems in the United States. The 11.9-mile route will see improvements to capacity, monitoring, and overall safety, while also integrating with SEPTA's existing trolley operations.

• The new digital signaling system is expected to enter revenue service in the coming months.
• SEPTA's Media–Sharon Hill Line has been in operation since the early 20th century.

What’s next

The new digital signaling system is expected to enter revenue service in the coming months, improving safety, reliability, and capacity on the historic Media-Sharon Hill trolley line.