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    1. Rail

    SEPTA Finalizes Service Plan for Papal Visit

    Sept. 8, 2015
    Related To: Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA)
    SEPTA
    Customers using the Market-Frankford and Broad Street Lines can ride using their existing fare instruments, such as weekly and monthly passes and tokens.
    Customers using the Market-Frankford and Broad Street Lines can ride using their existing fare instruments, such as weekly and monthly passes and tokens.

    SEPTA on Sept. 8 announced enhancements to its Papal Visit Transit Plan, to maximize service for regular customers and visitors. The Authority also provided details on credits that will be available to monthly and weekly passholders who are impacted by the service adjustments made to increase capacity Sept. 26-27.

    “SEPTA is doing everything possible to make public transportation convenient and efficient during the Papal Visit,” said SEPTA General Manager Joseph M. Casey. “We now know enough about the scheduled event activities and security information to be able to adjust and finalize our plans.”

    Stops Added on Market-Frankford & Broad Street Lines

    SEPTA has doubled the number of stations scheduled to be open for the Papal Visit along the Market-Frankford and Broad Street Lines – among them, 8th Street and 34th Street on the Market-Frankford Line, which provide close access to the Francis Festival grounds. The service plan has been adjusted in response to requests from riders and businesses regarding transit service for weekend commuting needs, and to provide additional travel options for those going to see the Pope.

    Trains on the Market-Frankford and Broad Street Lines will operate in both directions the weekend of Sept. 26-27 from 5:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. each day. There will be no overnight weekend service on these lines during the Papal Visit.

    The updated service map of open stations is included with this press release. Here is a summary of the updated service plan:

    • Market-Frankford Line Eastbound Express Service: Will run from 69th Street Transportation Center directly to 30th Street Station. These same trains will then continue with Local service, stopping at 8th Street Station, 2nd Street Station; Girard Station; Huntingdon Station; Allegheny Station; Erie-Torresdale Station; Arrott Transportation Center; and Frankford Transportation Center.
    • Market-Frankford Line Eastbound Local Service: Trains will originate at 60th Street Station, with stops at 52nd Street Station; 34th Street Station; 30th Street; 8th Street; 2nd Street; Girard; Huntingdon; Allegheny; Erie-Torresdale; Arrott Transportation Center; and Frankford Transportation Center.
    • Market-Frankford Line Westbound Express Service: Trips will operate from Frankford Transportation Center directly to 2nd Street, then continue with Local service to 8th Street; 30th Street; 34th Street; 52nd Street; 60th Street; and 69th Street Transportation Center.
    • Market-Frankford Line Westbound Local Service: Trips will originate at Arrott Transportation Center, with stops at Erie-Torresdale; Allegheny; Huntingdon; Girard; 2nd Street; 8th Street; 30th Street; 34th Street; 52nd Street; 60th Street; and 69th Street Transportation Center.
    • Broad Street Line Northbound Express Service: Trains will run from AT&T Station directly to Walnut-Locust Station. These trains will continue with Local service to Spring Garden Station; Cecil B. Moore Station; North Philadelphia Station; Erie Station; Olney Transportation Center; and Fern Rock Transportation Center.
    • Broad Street Line Northbound Local Service: Trains will operate from Snyder Station to Walnut-Locust; Spring Garden; Cecil B. Moore; North Philadelphia; Erie; Olney Transportation Center; and Fern Rock Transportation Center.
    • Broad Street Line Southbound Express Service: Trains will run from Fern Rock Transportation Center directly to Spring Garden; these trains will continue with Local service to Walnut-Locust; Snyder; and AT&T Station.
    • Broad Street Line Southbound Local Service: Trains will originate at Olney Transportation Center, with stops at Erie; North Philadelphia; Cecil B. Moore; Spring Garden; Walnut-Locust; Snyder; and AT&T Station.

    Customers using the Market-Frankford and Broad Street Lines can ride using their existing fare instruments, such as weekly and monthly passes and tokens. In addition, SEPTA now has a special $10 Three-Day Papal Transit Pass – or $5 for those who qualify for reduced fare – on sale that will be valid for travel on the Market-Frankford and Broad Street Lines, as well as buses and trolleys, between Saturday, Sept. 26 and Monday, Sept. 28. These passes are on sale at SEPTA sales locations; for a list of sales offices, visit the Papal Visit section of SEPTA’s website. Weekly, monthly and Three-Day Papal Transit Passes, as well as tokens and cash, can be used for travel on buses and trolleys.

    For ease of travel, riders are urged to purchase passes or tokens ahead of the Papal Visit.

    Credits for Weekly and Monthly Passholders

    Due to the impact the Papal Visit service adjustments may have on existing customers, SEPTA will offer a credit toward a future pass for those who have purchased September monthly passes, and those who will buy weekly passes that include the weekend of Sept. 26-27. Credits that will be available for passholders are as follows:

    • Those who have purchased monthly TrailPasses or TransPasses for September will be eligible to get a $5 one-time credit on the purchase of an October, November or December monthly pass.
    • Weekly TransPass customers who purchased the Sept. 21 weekly pass will be eligible to receive a $2 credit. Those with Sept. 21 weekly TrailPasses from all zones can receive a $10 credit. These one-time credits for weekly passes can be applied to a week of the customer’s choosing through the end of December.
    • Customers must turn in their old passes when purchasing the monthly or weekly pass for which they want the credit applied, so those who want to receive the credit are reminded to hold onto their old pass.

    SEPTA will provide further details on its website regarding how preparations for the Papal Visit will impact service starting with some bus detours on Wednesday, Sept. 23, and stations closures starting at 10 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, and continuing on Friday, Sept. 25.

    Closer to the Papal Visit, SEPTA will provide additional information for passengers boarding at Center City Regional Rail stations, Transportation Centers and stops on the Market-Frankford and Broad Street Line.

    Also, the Regional Rail section of the website will feature an interactive matrix with customized maps showing available parking and suburban road closures surrounding the 18 outlying Regional Rail Stations opened during the Papal Visit weekend.

    Please note: Regional Rail service, as already posted on SEPTA’s website, will not be changed or altered. Adjustments to the number of stations are not anticipated. Travel on Regional Rail will require a pre-purchased One Day Papal Visit pass for Sept. 26 and Sept. 27. Passes remain available, and are on sale at most outlying stations where Regional Rail service will be available during the Papal Visit, as well as at Suburban and Jefferson Stations in Center City.