Derailed.
That's probably the easiest way to describe SEPTA's plans to sell those special passes for their regional rail lines on the two days of the visit by Pope Francis in late September.
The transit agency's computers melted down under an avalanche of requests minutes after they went online Monday morning.
Yesterday SEPTA said they would not try again this week, and might even bring in an outside agency to help with the sales. You can get all the details here.
This is a fairly critical element to what should be the spectacular two-day finale to the week of the World Meeting of Families on Sept. 26-27.
Perhaps as many as 2 million people will be trying to get into the city those two days. Driving is being discouraged. SEPTA's rail lines will be jammed. There will be distinct restrictions on when riders can use the system and from a limited number of stations.
You will not be able to board the regional rails without the special $10 tickets.
Monday's events certainly did not engender confidence.
Make no doubt, from a logistical standpoint, this event will tax just about everyone in the region.
We talk about that in our editorial today.
Perhaps patience might be the one thing all of us will have to use.
Starting now.
Comments