Headaches persist as SEPTA fleet inspections wrap up

State of play: The agency is expected to complete its emergency safety inspections on 223 Silverliner IV fleet Friday, SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch tells Axios.

• Yes, but: Work on the cars, including adding new safety features, will take until at least Dec. 5.

The result: Full service across the train system isn't expected to return until the end of the year or January, Busch said.

Catch up quick: The Federal Railroad Administration ordered SEPTA to pull its Silverliner IV fleet out of service for inspections last month due to fires on the trains.

• Plus: U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy recently questioned the safety and management at SEPTA.

Case in point: Today, SEPTA is cancelling at least 22 trains across the Airport, Chestnut Hill West, Fox Chase and Warminster lines again due to the inspections.

• With fewer cars for each train, commuters can expect some cars to skip stations and crowded conditions, especially closer to Center City.

1 good thing: SEPTA is leasing at least 10 rail cars to help boost service on Regional Rail. They are expected to hit the tracks in the coming weeks, a SEPTA spokesperson said.