Call it the thrill of victory, and the agony of trying to get to the parade.
SEPTA yesterday released its detailed transit plan for those looking to head into the city Thursday for the Eagles Super Bowl Parade.
Officials learned some tough lessons back in 2008 when the Phillies held their World Championship Parade. SEPTA wasn't prepared for the mass of people looking to get on their regional rail lines to head into the city. Trains filled quickly at the outermost stations and once at capacity, they simply zipped into the city, blowing by hundreds of fans left stranded at stations farther east across the county.
They put the lessons they learned into effect for the pope's visit.
One of the key they announced yesterday was limiting the number of stations on Delaware County's two rail lines - Media/Elwyn and the Wilmington line.
Trains on Media/Elwyn will stop only at Elwyn, Media and Primos on the way into the city.
On the Wilmington line, stops will include Wilmington, Marcus Hook and Ridley Park.
But SEPTA also announced that all riders would need a special pass to use the regional rails Thursday. They went on sale for $10 yesterday afternoon and quickly became the hottest item in the region.
We've had reports of stations running out of the special passes and people waiting in lines for hours last night in Paoli in an attempt to get them.
Here's the problem. It's simply numbers. SEPTA GM Jeff Knueppel was on TV this morning to explain the predicament. The system can shuttle 500,000 people into the city at capacity. They are expecting upwards of 2 million at the parade. You do the math.
SEPTA indicated they would try to get more passes out to the stations today.
Then again if you can get to the 69th Street Terminal, the Market-Frankford line is going to be running free all day. Or you could drive into the city and take your chances finding a parking spot.
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