Route 59is atrackless trolleyline operated bySEPTAthat runs from theMarket–Frankford LineatArrott Transportation Center Stationto Bells Corner inRhawnhurst,primarily along Oxford and Castor Avenues. Major stops along the route includeOxford Circleand the Alma Loop inCastor,which is near a shopping center and a junior high and senior high school.

Route 59
Castor–Bustleton to Arrott Transportation Center
Route 59 trackless trolley en route to Bells Corner
Route 59 trackless trolley en route to Bells Corner
Overview
SystemFrankford District[1]
OperatorSEPTA City Transit Division
Began service1950(1950)(trackless trolleys)
Route
LocalePhiladelphia
Communities servedNortheast Philadelphia
StartBells Corner Loop (Castor and Bustleton Avenues)
ViaCastor Avenue, Oxford Avenue
EndArrott Transportation Center
Length4.1 miles (6.6 km)
Service
Journey time17 minutes
Ridership4,068 (2019 weekday average)[1]
Annual patronage1,182,018 (FY2019)
TimetableRoute 59 schedule
58 City Transit Division 60

The trackless trolleys (or trolleybuses) replacedtrolley cars (streetcars)on the route on in June 25, 1950.[2]

Diesel buses temporarily replaced trackless trolleys on route 59 in June 2002,[2]because of reconstruction of Frankford Depot (garage) and the adjacentMarket-Frankford "El"viaduct and station, which required the temporary removal of theoverhead trolley wiresused by trackless trolleys both at the garage and along thedeadheadroute (under the El viaduct) connecting route 59 to the garage. However, trackless service was restored in April 2008.[3]All of the vehicles currently in use areADA-compliant and equipped with bicycle racks.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ab"SEPTA Route Statistics 2018"(PDF).SEPTA.RetrievedSeptember 2,2019.
  2. ^abSpringirth, Kenneth C. (2008).Southeastern Pennsylvania Trolleys,pp. 10 and 115–116. Charleston, SC (US):Arcadia Publishing.ISBN978-0-7385-5692-5.
  3. ^Trolleybus MagazineNo. 280 (July–August 2008), p. 95. National Trolleybus Association (UK). ISSN 0266-7452.
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