One of SEPTA's best routes, but it's called the 100, NOT "R100"
This line has many names but it's definitely NOT an "R" route. The "R" prefix was used years ago to identify SEPTA's Regional Rail lines. They're totally separate from the NHSL, serve different stations, and use a different fare system. Calling the 100 by "R100" causes a lot of confusion because people unfamiliar with the distinction regularly board the NHSL expecting to buy a Regional Rail ticket and/or go to a station that's not served. SEPTA's refund policy for mis-paid fares is effectively nonexistent so most of these riders are out of luck.
That said, for me the NHSL (still known by many locals as the P&W for its pre-SEPTA, pre-Red Arrow name) is a hidden gem. It's fast, comfortable, runs more frequently than SEPTA's commuter trains, and can cost about 40% less. A lot of its speed comes from the practice of only stopping at stations where someone's getting on or off; otherwise the driver just blows by at up to 60 mph. That throws some first-time passengers for a loop, though. Except at a couple of main stations there's a signal switch that you have to push to alert an incoming driver to stop, and if you're on board you similarly have to push a yellow signal tape to let the driver know you want to get off.
The line ends in Upper Darby where you can transfer to either the Market-Frankford Elevated, two trolley lines, or over a dozen buses so it's a great way to go into Philadelphia or travel to many of the western suburbs. The only complexity happens is you don't have a bus or rail farecard. SEPTA's ancient and contorted fare system then requires that you pay a fare of a token plus $1.50 in cash when boarding the NHSL, with $1 buying a transfer to the connecting line and the other 50 cents going to SEPTA's coffers (more below). However on your return trip, you just pay a token plus a dollar for a transfer ticket when you board the bus, trolley, or El; the remaining 50 cents is paid why you get on the NHSL. Simple, right??
Now why does this extra 50 cents come into the picture? It's yet another one of SEPTA's sneaky fare surcharges, and is the only real gripe I have about the NHSL. For decades the fare was the same as that on buses traveling a comparable distance, but a few years ago SEPTA decided to rebrand the NHSL as a so-called "premium" line with fares that are 50c higher than others. There have bitter complaints from passengers but SEPTA's only response has been that "people will get used to" the higher rates. (I am not making this up!)
Still, the NHSL is one heck of a lot cheaper than taking a commuter train, which can be as much as 6 or 7 bucks :( read more