SEPTA's rail system, includes multiple modes of travel: Bus, commuter rail, subway, Trolley lines (surface making bus stops and underground with dedicated platforms either using rail and overhead wire or just overhead wire and rubber tired vehicles)  ) and the Norristown High Speed Line which does not easily fit into one of these categories.

The Route 100, Norristown High Speed Line,  makes dedicated platform stops, uses short single car trains, light weight cars and very short stations. Propulsion is via third rail. Your webmaster agrees that at one time subway type cars did run on the line, but  today it does not use subway type cars.

This site will call the route 100 and any proposed branches of the route 100 which may be built  "light Rail." Your webmaster agrees the fit is not perfect. Leaving rail aside, in the natural world there are plants and animals that do not easily fit into one group or the other and a decision has to be made. The route 100 poses such a problem.

This site will use the following traits in deciding if a line is Trolley or light rail:

• Light rail has dedicated  single purpose platforms for the entire length of the line

• Very Short platforms

• Light weight rail cars

• Short  length rail cars

• Stations relatively close together

• Is payment   pay on the vehicle using a farebox or ticket with proof of purchase inspections

• Rail car appearance. Does it look like subway, commuter rail, trolley such as SEPTA's route 10,11,101,102, etc.  or light rail such as the HBLR system.

In your webmaster's decision the route 100 fits all of these traits and is thusly light rail. 

Home > America > Philadelphia >SEPTA Light Rail