The current Regional Rail system was originally two separate commuter rail networks, owned and operated by the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) and the Reading Company, respectively. PRR services to Philadelphia terminated at Broad Street Station (opened in 1881; replaced by Suburban Station in 1930), and Reading services terminated at the Reading Terminal (opened in 1893). After SEPTA was formed in 1964, the transport agency began overseeing commuter rail services, however, the railroad companies continued operating their own trains. After operations were taken over by Conrail in 1976, SEPTA began acquiring ownership of the railroads through 1979. The SEPTA Regional Rail Division was created on January 1, 1983, giving SEPTA complete operational control of its railroads.[5]
To merge the two railroad networks, the Center City Commuter Connection opened in 1984, which included a tunnel between Suburban Station and the new Market East Station (later renamed Jefferson Station), which replaced the Reading Terminal. The tunnel allowed for trains to traveling into Center City to continue as through servicees into adjacent suburbs. Rail services were combined into seven routes, designated as R1 through R8.[a][7] The "R" designations were later dropped in 2010, and the network was reconfigured with 13 routes renamed for their outbound terminal stations.[8]
All stations are located in Pennsylvania, unless otherwise noted. Stations located within the City of Philadelphia are additionally distinguished by neighborhood or area as noted on the official SEPTA map.[10] Accessible stations are noted with the icon.
