[513]*513OPINION
McDERMOTT, Justice.
This appeal has evolved from a procedural morass and presents us with an opportunity to discuss the concept of forum non conveniens. The underlying facts of this case are as follows. On June 3, 1983, Lynn F. Okkerse was in a serious car accident which occurred at the intersection of New Gulph and Avon roads, located in Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County.
Suit was instituted on Mrs. Okkerse’s behalf by her husband.1 The Okkerse suit was filed in Philadelphia County against the following defendants: Edward J. Howe, III (the driver of the other car involved in the accident); the Ford Motor Company (the manufacturer of Mrs. Okkerse’s car); George, Arthur, and Elizabeth Pfaumer (the owners of a property which was allegedly overgrown, thereby obscuring the entrance to the intersection); Lower Merion Township (the municipality which had the responsibility of exercising control over the intersection); the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (the owner of the intersection where the accident occurred); Mr. and Mrs. Michael P. Erdman (social hosts who allegedly served alcoholic beverages to defendant Howe); and twenty-two individual property owners (who allegedly owned the road which led into the intersection). In the present appeal the significant parties are the plaintiffs and some of the property owners.
Although the situs of the accident was in Montgomery County the institution of suit in Philadelphia was permissible because two of the defendants, Ford Motor Company, and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, had business offices in Philadelphia.2 Thus, there is no jurisdic[514]*514tional venue issue in this case, and the issue is solely one of forum non conveniens. In resolving this issue the following procedural history is germane.
On June 28, 1985, owner-defendants William C. and Margaret R. Pickett, filed preliminary objections in the nature of a demurrer to the Okkerse complaint. These objections were assigned to the Honorable Alfred J. DiBona, Jr., for disposition. On July 16, 1985, owner-defendants George, Arthur, and Elizabeth Pfaumer filed preliminary objections on behalf of themselves and three other owner-defendants, [515]*515raising, inter alia, issues of improper venue and the inconvenience of the Philadelphia forum. These objections were also assigned to Judge DiBona.
Thereafter, on August 5, 1985, another owner-defendant, Virginia Denison, filed preliminary objections in which she sought to include a “Petition to Transfer Venue.”3 However, for some unexplained reasons these filings were not assigned to Judge DiBona: rather, they were assigned to the Honorable Thomas White.
On August 27, 1985, Judge DiBona ruled on the filings which were before him: he denied the request for demurrer filed by the Picketts; and he denied the request for dismissal on improper venue grounds filed by the Pfaumers without'prejudice to the Pfaumers’ rights to file a separate petition for a change of venue.
On September 17, 1985, the Pfaumers did file a “Petition Raising a Lack of Venue and Forum Non Conveniens” which was joined by the Township. This petition was also assigned to Judge DiBona.
Then, on September 30, 1985, prior to Judge DiBona’s ruling on the Pfaumers’ petition, Judge White, without taking any evidence, granted the portion of Ms. Denison’s filing which sought to transfer the case on forum non conveniens grounds.4
On October 7, 1985, 372 Pa.Super. 645, 534 A.2d 1123, Judge DiBona ruled on the Pfaumers’ petition to transfer, and denied the request for a transfer. The Pfaumers requested reconsideration of this order, raising the fact of Judge White’s order on the Denison “petition”. This re[516]*516quest for reconsideration was denied on November 4, 1985, and the Pfaumers filed a timely appeal to the Superior Court.5
No. 88 E.D. Appeal Docket, 1988
Upon receiving the second appeal the Superior Court consolidated the two cases. The court held that the Pfaumers’ appeal was interlocutory and thus not properly before the court. That appeal was then quashed. The Pfaumers now challenge that ruling on two grounds: that the Superi- or Court erred in its interpretation of the procedural rules, and that the trial court order on their petition was entered without that court having had jurisdiction.
Regarding the first challenge we conclude that the Superior Court’s interpretation of the rules, the analysis applied was absolutely correct. Pennsylvania Rule of Appellate Procedure 311(c) permits appeals to be taken of right from orders changing venue. On the other hand, orders sustaining a plaintiff’s choice of venue may only be appealed as of right where the party benefitting from the order files an election that the order shall be deemed final, or where the court states that a substantial issue of jurisdiction is presented. Pa.R.A.P. 311(b). As the Superior Court noted, neither of the latter situations existed in this case. As a consequence the Superior Court had no alternative but to find the Pfaumers’ appeal interlocutory and to dismiss it.
In their second challenge appellants argue that Judge White’s ruling on the Denison petition had the effect of transferring the entire action, and divested Judge DiBona of jurisdiction in this matter; therefore, it is contended, that Judge DiBona’s decision was a nullity.
It is true that judges of coordinate jurisdictions sitting in the same court and in the same case should not overrule the decisions of each other. Marmara v. Rawle, 264 Pa.Super. 229, 238, 399 A.2d 750, 755 (1979). See [517]*517Commonwealth v. Lagana, 510 Pa. 477, 509 A.2d 863 (1986). See also Yudacufski v. Commonwealth, Department of Transportation, 499 Pa. 605, 454 A.2d 923 (1982). We note, however, that this rule is not a matter of jurisdiction per se; rather it is a rule of sound jurisprudence based on the policy of fostering finality of pre-trial applications so that judicial economy and efficiency can be maintained. Commonwealth v. Griffin, 257 Pa.Super. 153, 157, 390 A.2d 758, 760 (1978). See Reifinger v. Holiday Inns, Inc., 315 Pa.Super. 147, 461 A.2d 839 (1983).
Judge DiBona’s ruling in the Pfaumers’ petition was contrary to this jurisprudential policy, and his interpretation of Judge White’s order as applying only to the Denison petition was in error.6 However, although we agree with the Pfaumers’ position that Judge DiBona’s order should not have been given effect, for the reasons stated in our discussion related to the appeal from Judge White’s order7 the Pfaumers are not entitled to their presently requested relief, (i.e. a transfer of venue pursuant to Judge White’s order).
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[513]*513OPINION
McDERMOTT, Justice.
This appeal has evolved from a procedural morass and presents us with an opportunity to discuss the concept of forum non conveniens. The underlying facts of this case are as follows. On June 3, 1983, Lynn F. Okkerse was in a serious car accident which occurred at the intersection of New Gulph and Avon roads, located in Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County.
Suit was instituted on Mrs. Okkerse’s behalf by her husband.1 The Okkerse suit was filed in Philadelphia County against the following defendants: Edward J. Howe, III (the driver of the other car involved in the accident); the Ford Motor Company (the manufacturer of Mrs. Okkerse’s car); George, Arthur, and Elizabeth Pfaumer (the owners of a property which was allegedly overgrown, thereby obscuring the entrance to the intersection); Lower Merion Township (the municipality which had the responsibility of exercising control over the intersection); the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (the owner of the intersection where the accident occurred); Mr. and Mrs. Michael P. Erdman (social hosts who allegedly served alcoholic beverages to defendant Howe); and twenty-two individual property owners (who allegedly owned the road which led into the intersection). In the present appeal the significant parties are the plaintiffs and some of the property owners.
Although the situs of the accident was in Montgomery County the institution of suit in Philadelphia was permissible because two of the defendants, Ford Motor Company, and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, had business offices in Philadelphia.2 Thus, there is no jurisdic[514]*514tional venue issue in this case, and the issue is solely one of forum non conveniens. In resolving this issue the following procedural history is germane.
On June 28, 1985, owner-defendants William C. and Margaret R. Pickett, filed preliminary objections in the nature of a demurrer to the Okkerse complaint. These objections were assigned to the Honorable Alfred J. DiBona, Jr., for disposition. On July 16, 1985, owner-defendants George, Arthur, and Elizabeth Pfaumer filed preliminary objections on behalf of themselves and three other owner-defendants, [515]*515raising, inter alia, issues of improper venue and the inconvenience of the Philadelphia forum. These objections were also assigned to Judge DiBona.
Thereafter, on August 5, 1985, another owner-defendant, Virginia Denison, filed preliminary objections in which she sought to include a “Petition to Transfer Venue.”3 However, for some unexplained reasons these filings were not assigned to Judge DiBona: rather, they were assigned to the Honorable Thomas White.
On August 27, 1985, Judge DiBona ruled on the filings which were before him: he denied the request for demurrer filed by the Picketts; and he denied the request for dismissal on improper venue grounds filed by the Pfaumers without'prejudice to the Pfaumers’ rights to file a separate petition for a change of venue.
On September 17, 1985, the Pfaumers did file a “Petition Raising a Lack of Venue and Forum Non Conveniens” which was joined by the Township. This petition was also assigned to Judge DiBona.
Then, on September 30, 1985, prior to Judge DiBona’s ruling on the Pfaumers’ petition, Judge White, without taking any evidence, granted the portion of Ms. Denison’s filing which sought to transfer the case on forum non conveniens grounds.4
On October 7, 1985, 372 Pa.Super. 645, 534 A.2d 1123, Judge DiBona ruled on the Pfaumers’ petition to transfer, and denied the request for a transfer. The Pfaumers requested reconsideration of this order, raising the fact of Judge White’s order on the Denison “petition”. This re[516]*516quest for reconsideration was denied on November 4, 1985, and the Pfaumers filed a timely appeal to the Superior Court.5
No. 88 E.D. Appeal Docket, 1988
Upon receiving the second appeal the Superior Court consolidated the two cases. The court held that the Pfaumers’ appeal was interlocutory and thus not properly before the court. That appeal was then quashed. The Pfaumers now challenge that ruling on two grounds: that the Superi- or Court erred in its interpretation of the procedural rules, and that the trial court order on their petition was entered without that court having had jurisdiction.
Regarding the first challenge we conclude that the Superior Court’s interpretation of the rules, the analysis applied was absolutely correct. Pennsylvania Rule of Appellate Procedure 311(c) permits appeals to be taken of right from orders changing venue. On the other hand, orders sustaining a plaintiff’s choice of venue may only be appealed as of right where the party benefitting from the order files an election that the order shall be deemed final, or where the court states that a substantial issue of jurisdiction is presented. Pa.R.A.P. 311(b). As the Superior Court noted, neither of the latter situations existed in this case. As a consequence the Superior Court had no alternative but to find the Pfaumers’ appeal interlocutory and to dismiss it.
In their second challenge appellants argue that Judge White’s ruling on the Denison petition had the effect of transferring the entire action, and divested Judge DiBona of jurisdiction in this matter; therefore, it is contended, that Judge DiBona’s decision was a nullity.
It is true that judges of coordinate jurisdictions sitting in the same court and in the same case should not overrule the decisions of each other. Marmara v. Rawle, 264 Pa.Super. 229, 238, 399 A.2d 750, 755 (1979). See [517]*517Commonwealth v. Lagana, 510 Pa. 477, 509 A.2d 863 (1986). See also Yudacufski v. Commonwealth, Department of Transportation, 499 Pa. 605, 454 A.2d 923 (1982). We note, however, that this rule is not a matter of jurisdiction per se; rather it is a rule of sound jurisprudence based on the policy of fostering finality of pre-trial applications so that judicial economy and efficiency can be maintained. Commonwealth v. Griffin, 257 Pa.Super. 153, 157, 390 A.2d 758, 760 (1978). See Reifinger v. Holiday Inns, Inc., 315 Pa.Super. 147, 461 A.2d 839 (1983).
Judge DiBona’s ruling in the Pfaumers’ petition was contrary to this jurisprudential policy, and his interpretation of Judge White’s order as applying only to the Denison petition was in error.6 However, although we agree with the Pfaumers’ position that Judge DiBona’s order should not have been given effect, for the reasons stated in our discussion related to the appeal from Judge White’s order7 the Pfaumers are not entitled to their presently requested relief, (i.e. a transfer of venue pursuant to Judge White’s order). Instead, this entire matter should be returned to the Court of Common Pleas for that court to now rule on the Pfaumers’ petition.
No. 89 E.D. Appeal Dkt. 1988
The Superior Court then reviewed the Okkerses’ appeal from Judge White’s order granting a change of venue, and held that there was no record basis upon which to sustain Judge White’s order. Hence, the court was compelled to vacate it. This holding was also correct.
Our Rules of Civil Procedure provide a plaintiff with options as to where to bring suit,8 and this Court has emphatically stated that the choice of forum by a plaintiff is entitled to weighty consideration. Walker v. Ohio River Co., 416 Pa. 149, 152, 205 A.2d 43, 43 (1964). Nevertheless, [518]*518a plaintiffs choice of forum is not unassailable and the availability of a forum non conveniens challenge is a necessary counterbalance to insure fairness and practicality. See Ernest v. Fox Pool Corp., 341 Pa.Super. 71, 491 A.2d 154 (1985). Because, however, of the weight accorded to the plaintiffs original choice courts have held that he or she should not be deprived of the advantages presumed to come from that choice
“unless the defendant clearly adduces facts that ‘either (1) establish such oppressiveness and vexation to a defendant as to be out of all proportion to plaintiffs convenience ... or (2) make trial in the chosen forum inappropriate because of considerations affecting the court’s own private and public interest factors’ [but] unless the balance is strongly in favor of the defendant, the plaintiffs choice of forum should rarely be disturbed."
Reyno v. Piper Aircraft, Co., 630 F.2d 149, 159 (3d Cir. 1980), citing Koster v. Lumbermens Mutual Casualty Co., 330 U.S. 518, 67 S.Ct. 828, 91 L.Ed. 1067 (1947) and Gulf Oil v. Gilbert, 330 U.S. 501, 67 S.Ct. 839, 91 L.Ed. 1055 (1947); cited with approval in Korn v. Marvin Fives Food Equipment, 362 Pa.Super. 559, 563, 524 A.2d 1380, 1384 (1987).
Thus, the party seeking a change of venue bears a heavy burden in justifying the request, and it has been consistently held that this burden includes the demonstration on the record of the claimed hardships. The Rules of Civil Procedure provide for a procedure whereby a complaining party can develop such a record, and this procedure has been recognized and endorsed by the Superior Court:
a proper procedure under Rule 1006(d)(1) necessarily implicates the requirements for petition and answer set forth in Pa.R.C.P. 206 through 209, including the taking of evidence by deposition or otherwise on disputed issues of fact
Hosiery Corporation of America v. Rich, 327 Pa.Super. 472, 475, 476 A.2d 50, 51 (1984).
The importance of developing this on the record evidence becomes apparent when one looks to the factors which a [519]*519trial judge must consider before ordering a transfer. Those factors include:
the relative ease of access to sources of proof, availability of compulsory process for attendance of unwilling, and cost of obtaining attendance of willing witnesses; possibility of view of premises, if a view would be appropriate to the action; and all other practical problems that make trial of a case easy, expeditious, and inexpensive____ The court must also consider those elements in which the public has an interest and those include: problems of creating court congestion and imposing jury duty upon people of a community which has no relation to the litigation; ...
Rini v. N. Y. Central R. Co., 429 Pa. 235, 239, 240 A.2d 372, 374 (1968): Plum v. Tampax, Inc., 399 Pa. 553, 560-561, 160 A.2d 549, 553 (1960); citing Gulf Oil Corp. v. Gilbert, 330 U.S. 501, 508-509, 67 S.Ct. 839, 843, 91 L.Ed. 1055 (1947). Finally, before a court can order a transfer it must “find that transfer is more convenient for both parties to the action or for the witnesses.” Nicolosi v. Fittin, 434 Pa. 133, 135, 252 A.2d 700, 701 (1969) (emphasis in the original).
Certainly, in the context of the present case, Ms. Denison had a reasonable basis upon which to seek a transfer of the action. However, it was improper to effect this transfer solely on the basis of her allegations of a hardship. This is especially so where the key allegations made by petitioner were specifically denied in the answer filed by the plaintiffs, thereby creating a factual controversy. Based on the above cited authority Ms. Denison was required to demonstrate how the Philadelphia forum adversely affected her ability to defend against plaintiffs cause of action; and the plaintiffs were certainly entitled to defend their choice of forum.9 [520]*520Therefore, the Superior Court was correct in reversing Judge White’s order since it was clearly based upon an1 inadequate record.
In summary, regarding the two issues which were properly before the Superior Court, i.e. whether the Pfaumers’ appeal should have been quashed, and whether Judge White’s order of transfer was supportable, the Superior Court ruled correctly. However, once having ruled on what was properly within the court’s jurisdiction the case should have been remanded to the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County. Unfortunately the Superior Court did not do this.
Instead, the court, after having quashed the Pfaumers’ appeal then sought to review the merits of Judge DiBona’s refusal to transfer the case. This was clearly an advisory opinion; and such an opinion is without legal effect. We, therefore, specifically disagree with that part of the Superi- or Court opinion which sought to pass judgment on Judge DiBona’s refusal to order a transfer.
In conclusion, the confused state of the procedural history in this case has obviously contributed to difficulties which have arisen. This confusion also has necessitated a somewhat unique remedy. Ordinarily the failure of parties to sustain their burden of supporting a petition to transfer venue on forum non conveniens grounds would result in venue remaining where the plaintiff has chosen, without further opportunity to seek a transfer. However, in this case, because Judge DiBona’s order was a nullity, and to avoid any possibility of a conflicting decision, we now direct that the Denison petition10 be consolidated with the Pfau[521]*521mers’ petition for consideration and disposition; and the presiding judge shall be free to rule on the consolidated petitions without regard to prior orders which have now been vacated or reversed.
Accordingly for the above stated reasons the order of the Superior Court is affirmed in part and reversed in part, and the matter is remanded to the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia.
LARSEN, J., files a concurring and dissenting opinion in which PAPADAKOS, J., joins.
ZAPPALA, J., files a concurring and dissenting opinion.