AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today November 6, 2026
Rich Temple's Unique SEPTA Challenge
Over the course of two days, Rich Temple, a 66-year-old resident of Society Hill, will ride all 13 SEPTA Regional Rail lines to pass through every one of its 158 stations. Temple's purpose is to promote the importance of sustainable, long-term funding solutions for SEPTA, the region's largest transit authority.
Planning an Extensive Journey
Temple meticulously prepared a three-page spreadsheet, aided by artificial intelligence, to schedule departures and arrivals for each of the 22 trains he will take during his journey. The trip will begin at Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station at 4:05 a.m. on Tuesday, November 10, with Temple heading to Trenton Station as his first destination. After a 41-minute layover in Trenton, he will embark on a nearly two-hour ride to Chestnut Hill East, walk to Chestnut Hill West, and return to Center City—all before 9 a.m.
A History of Transit 'Speedrunning'
This two-day trip is not Temple’s first foray into what is known as "transit speedrunning," a hobby that involves traversing entire transit systems as quickly as possible. Three years ago, Temple attempted the Los Angeles metro system. Notably, in December 1988, he and two friends set a world record by riding through all 466 New York City subway stations in 29 hours, 47 minutes, and 12 seconds, earning a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records. Although the SEPTA ride is not aimed at breaking a record, Temple will observe Guinness' guidelines by riding through every stop.
Highlighting SEPTA’s Challenges and Value
Temple describes himself as a lifelong fan of public transit, noting that SEPTA has provided a reliable alternative to driving during his 11 years living in Philadelphia. He sees this endeavor as a way to spotlight SEPTA’s strengths and the unique challenges it faces. "I want to call attention to what is so extraordinary about the SEPTA system as a whole, but also some of the unique challenges that SEPTA faces," Temple explained.
Temple believes that the transit authority’s new expansion plan is promising, and he seeks to shift attention to the essential role SEPTA serves in the region. He aims to blog about his experience and share updates on social media, hoping to foster broader discussion about the funding issues impacting the system.
Calls for Sustainable Transit Funding
SEPTA has recently faced significant financial hurdles. Last year, the authority implemented service cuts and fare hikes after state lawmakers failed to secure stable revenue. These cuts were later blocked in court, and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (D) allocated $400 million in capital funding as a temporary measure to cover SEPTA's $192 million deficit. However, this funding is set to expire by July 2027, raising concerns about the authority’s long-term sustainability.
Temple hopes that his public campaign will "catalyze the discussion in the legislative branch to come up with a solution to sustainably fund SEPTA." He sees robust funding for the transit system as an economic driver for the state, and wants more people to recognize and engage in finding a solution.
Passion for Transit and Public Policy
Growing up in New York City, Temple developed a lasting affection for public transit—sometimes even skipping school to explore new subway routes. With a background in political science and a career in healthcare communications, Temple’s commitment to transit and policy has remained strong. Through this marathon ride, he blends his enthusiasm for city infrastructure with the goal of positive advocacy for SEPTA funding.
Temple acknowledges that the realities of public transportation—delays, detours, or equipment issues—might complicate his schedule. Nonetheless, he remains undeterred: "This is a little eccentricity that I have, but something I really enjoy."
Source: phillyvoice.com.
