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DRPA and PATCO Prepare for Papal Visit

Ben Franklin Bridge and PATCO Train line ready to welcome WMOF Pilgrims

CAMDEN, N.J. (September 23, 2015): DRPA and PATCO officials today issued a statement welcoming Pilgrims and World Meeting of Families (WMOF) visitors to the Delaware Valley. The Benjamin Franklin Bridge and the PATCO train line will be key points of entry, serving a vital role in helping to transport thousands of visitors to events in Philadelphia, including the Papal Address at the Festival of Families at Independence Hall on Saturday, September 26th and the Papal Mass on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Sunday, September 27th.

“After months of planning and preparation we are pleased to welcome the Holy Father Pope Francis and the multitude of visitors to Philadelphia, many of whom have traveled from around the world to attend this joyous and historic event,” said DRPA CEO John T. Hanson. “The DRPA and PATCO have worked closely with our local, state, regional and national partners to help make this event a reality. It has been an honor and privilege to participate and we are looking forward to welcoming our guests. This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the Delaware Valley and we are happy to be able to play a role.”

To facilitate pedestrian access to WMOF/Papal Visit events, the Ben Franklin Bridge (BFB) is scheduled to close at 10pm on Friday, September 25th. The bridge will open for pedestrian traffic at 6am on Saturday, September 26th and will remain open to pedestrians until 12 noon on Monday, September 28th, when it will revert to vehicular traffic.

PATCO will run a special Papal Visit schedule on Saturday, September 26th and Sunday, September 27th. From 6am – 4pm on both Saturday and Sunday, trains will carry passengers westbound from our Lindenwold, Woodcrest, Ferry Ave. and Broadway stations to our 9/10th and Locust Street station in Philadelphia for Papal Visit events. At 5:30pm, trains will begin to carry passengers from our 9/10th and Locust Street station eastbound to New Jersey. A detailed schedule is included below and is available at www.ridepatco.org. PATCO riders may purchase FREEDOM Cards in advance at Broadway station in the Walter Rand Transportation Center in Camden today, Thursday and Friday between 7 am and 7 pm and at the Woodcrest station on Thursday between 4 pm and 7 pm and on Friday between 10 am and 2 pm.  FREEDOM Cards will also be available on Saturday and Sunday at the Lindenwold, Woodcrest, Ferry Avenue and Broadway stations.

Please Note: Pedestrians crossing the Ben Franklin Bridge and PATCO riders will be screened to ensure compliance with the prohibited items list.

Travelers are encouraged to visit the DRPA and PATCO websites at www.drpa.org and www.ridepatco.org for more information. During the weekend, we will provide regular updates through these websites, as well as our Twitter and Facebook accounts. To subscribe for twitter updates, please follow us at @RidePatco.

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