Thanks to a 2013 gas tax hike that stretched the budget for public transportation, Chester County rail passengers will soon get to stretch their arms and legs a little more.

Among the new improvements planned for this year by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, the purchase of bi-level rail coaches could increase ridership by 11 to 61 per car through the addition of the second level.

Also, Exton’s station improvement is coming this year, and SEPTA’s bus fleet is continually being converted to diesel-electric hybrid buses for environmental and fiscal reasons. Other signal, communications, bridge repair and substation maintenance projects are planned as well.

This year’s capital improvement budget amounts to $571 million, an 85 percent leap compared to last year’s budget. And it will remain up there for 2016, which is currently proposed at $534.5 million.

Read more about the SEPTA capital improvement plan highlights or delve into the full 2016 proposal on the agency’s website here.