SEPTA Sports Express for Phillies Opening Game

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The Phillies are set to make their official 2010 home debut, and SEPTA is ready to lead the path Citizens Bank Park with extra service for fans embarking on what they hope is another championship run.

Starting with the home opener on Monday, April 12th, SEPTA will run Sports Express trains on the Broad Street Line prior to all Phillies games. For Monday’s home opener, which starts at 3:05 p.m., a minimum of three Sports Express trains will be deployed to move fans to the ballpark, with trips every 10 minutes starting at 2:08 p.m. Regular Express service will also be extended to the Pattison Avenue Station, and additional Sports Express trains will be added if needed to accommodate fans.

Sports Express trains supplement regularly scheduled Broad Street Line service before Phillies games, and all other major events at the Sports Complex in South Philadelphia. These trips depart from the Fern Rock Transportation Center, and stop at Olney, Erie, Girard, Spring Garden, Race-Vine, City Hall and Walnut-Locust, before reaching the Pattison Avenue Station at the Sports Complex in South Philadelphia. An average Sports Express trip from City Hall to Pattison Avenue takes just 8 minutes.

With over three million fans expected to pour into Citizens Bank Park this season, SEPTA is looking forward to providing convenient, cost-effective transportation to-and-from all the big games. At least three Sports Express trips will be scheduled before each game, with more trains added as needed, particularly on days when there are multiple events at the Sports Complex. One-way cash fare on the Broad Street Line is only $2, but with the purchase of a two-pack of tokens, fans can make a game-day round trip for just $2.90.

The Broad Street Line is easily accessible from other SEPTA services, with convenient connections to the Market-Frankford Line and a number of bus and trolley routes. Regional Rail riders can also make a quick transfer by getting off at either Suburban or Market East stations. It’s also convenient for those coming in from South Jersey – just take the PATCO High Speedline to the 12th and 13th and Locust Station and follow the signs to the Broad Street Line.

For more information on SEPTA’s service for Phillies’ games and other events – and for full schedule and fare information, as well as trip-planning tools – visit www.septa.org,