Philadelphia
Subway System
The
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority
(SEPTA) operates a huge network of subways, buses and commuter trains,
providing a cost-effective way to travel around town.
Overview
To ride Philly's public
transportation, it is helpful to understand SEPTA's terminology:
- The Market/Frankford
or Blue line is a subway system that runs East-West along Market Street from
69th Street to about 2nd Street where it turns North to the Frankford
Transportation Center.
- The Broad Street line
basically runs North-South, although it does include a side spur that runs
through Chinatown to 8th Street.
- The trolleys (also
called Subway/Surface or Green line) are underground in center city, but
come above ground in West Philadelphia as they head to the suburbs.
- The Airport Line offers one of the
best public transportation links in the country, providing fast (about 20
minutes), economical (only $5) service to each of Philadelphia International
Airport's five terminals. Trains leave every 30 minutes between 6 AM and midnight
and stop at four locations in Philadelphia.
- Lucy (nickname for "Loop
through University City") a new shuttle bus the circles from 30th and
Market to 38th to Woodland and University Ave and back. Leaves every 5
minutes between 6:30 and 9 AM and between 3 and 8 PM; leaves every 10
minutes at other times. Costs 50 cents (free for students and employees of
Penn, Drexel, Children's Hospital, VA Center).
PHLASH is
Philadelphia's downtown visitors' shuttle, offering service to many of
Philadelphia's attractions.
PHLASH prices and
routes have changed and is no longer operated by SEPTA. Current information is
available at:
http://www.gophila.com/c/things_to_do/211/itineraries_and_tours/428/tours/204/u/phlash/1303.html
Tips
-
The current cash fare is $2.00 and transfers are
$.60.
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Tokens cost $1.30 each, offering a 35% savings
off the cash fare.
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The one-way ride on the Airport line is $5.50.
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SEPTA DayPasses: For
only $5.50, customers can use a DayPass for unlimited travel on any bus,
trolley, or subway route for a single day. DayPasses are also valid for a
one-way ride on any Regional Rail Line, with the exception of service
between Center City Philadelphia stations and Trenton, N.J. (This pass
includes a one-way trip on the Airport Line!)
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DayPasses are valid during the calendar day shown on the affixed transfer
and until 2 a.m. the following day. DayPasses are not
activated until their first use allowing for advance purchase.
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