On Tuesday, Mayor Michael Nutter and agency officials announced preliminary information about public transportation options during the World Meeting of Families (Sept. 22-25), and the weekend of the Papal Visit (September 26-27).

The following is a summary of the major regional service adjustments SEPTA is planning for the weekend of the Papal Visit in Philadelphia:

For SEPTA plan for Papal visit click here.

Amtrak

Amtrak officials said they are prepared to move significant numbers of people into and out of Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families convening.  The company will monitor and adjust seat inventory as needed as the World Meeting of Families approaches.  Officials encourage passengers to book tickets as far in advance as possible, and based on those bookings Amtrak will add coaches – and possibly even operate extra trains – as necessary.  All Amtrak trains will require reservations the weekend of the Papal visit.  Passengers will not be permitted to purchase tickets on board trains. Amtrak will provide complete service information and updates on its website.

Philadelphia International Airport

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) expects a significant increase in the number of national and international travelers arriving in the days and weeks leading up to the event.  PHL officials said they are working closely with SEPTA to ensure that passengers and employees are able to travel to and from the Airport. PHL will provide complete service information and updates on its website.

NJ TRANSIT

NJ TRANSIT officials are developing a transportation plan that will accommodate as many customers as possible, recognizing the physical constraints of the system. However, there are key pieces of information that customers planning to use NJT. The regular weekend service on the Atlantic City Rail Line and River Line will NOT operate on September 26 and 27.  NJ TRANSIT will offer special tickets targeted specifically for the different service options that will be available. Those tickets will go on sale later this summer.  No one will be allowed to board without a special ticket – passengers will not be permitted to purchase tickets on board trains. They will provide complete service information and updates on its website.

PATCO

The Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO) will provide express, non-stop service westbound to Center City Philadelphia on September 26 and 27 between each of the following four New Jersey stations and 9th/10th & Locust Streets station:

• Lindenwold

• Woodcrest

• Ferry Avenue

• Broadway/Camden/ Walter Rand Transportation Center

Passengers can board only at these four stations and all passengers will disembark at 9th/10th & Locust Streets station in Philadelphia.  There will be no PATCO service or operations at any station other than those above.

For the return trip eastbound to New Jersey, trains will depart 9th/10th & Locust Streets station and stop only at the stations listed above.

Special fares will be in effect on September 26-27.  A one-day pass will cost $5.00 and a two-day pass will cost $10.00.  Customers who have FREEDOM cards will be able to pay $2.50 for a one-way single ride.  FREEDOM card one-day and two-day passes can be purchased prior to the dates of travel, beginning in mid-July.

There are spaces for approximately 3,300 cars at the PATCO Lindenwold station, 1,900 spaces at PATCO Ferry Avenue station and 2,700 spaces at PATCO Woodcrest station.  PATCO does not offer parking spaces at the PATCO Broadway station in Camden.  Passengers should expect parking spaces to fill quickly.  Broadway-Camden serves as the transfer point for New Jersey Transit buses and the RiverLINE at Walter Rand Transportation Center. They will provide complete service information and updates on its website.

Passengers can board only at those four stations and all passengers will disembark at 9th/10th & Locust Streets station in Philadelphia.  There will be no PATCO service or operations at any station other than those above. For the return trip eastbound to New Jersey, trains will depart 9th/10th & Locust Streets station and stop only at the stations listed above.