Car Free Day
September 20, 2019
This Sunday we celebrate Car Free Day. There are one billion vehicles on the globe, make it one less for the day.
To participate, we ask you (and everyone) to use one of the many alternatives you have to cars. Take the bus. Walk. Ride a bike. Stay home. But whatever you do, don’t travel by car on this day.
Together, we can reduce our dependency on fossil fuels. And public transportation must be part of that equation. Public transportation use in the United States reduces our nation’s carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons annually. This is equivalent to if DC, New York City, Atlanta, Denver, and Los Angeles combined stopped using electricity.
A single commuter switching his or her commute to public transportation can reduce a household’s carbon emissions by 10% — and up to 30% if they eliminates a second car. One person with a 20-mile round trip commute who switches from driving to public transit can reduce his or her daily carbon emissions by 20 pounds, or more than 4,800 pounds in a year.
So we’re not asking you to not go anywhere. You’re a busy person, with so much to do! And the weather’s nice and there’s a ton going on, etc. etc. We’re just asking you to get around without your car today. And instead, enjoy the fresh air, the walk, and the time you have to yourself while you ride SEPTA.
Not sure of where to go without your car?
We have a few suggestions. These places are a good time to visit regardless of the season, and SEPTA always makes them an easy option.
The Fashion District opened this week in Center City Philadelphia. This gorgeous revamp to once was once christened the Gallery offers fashion, beauty, food, even a movie theater! There is so much to explore. And you have so many options on how to get here! Hop Regional Rail to Jefferson Station - you don't even have to go outside! Same goes for the Market-Frankford Line! Ride it to 11th Street and you are literally there! Hop a Trolley to 13th Street - you can get to The District underground or it's a short walk. Hop the Broad Street Line to City Hall Station - get to The District underground or it's a quick walk on Market Street. So many buses travel past The District - including Routes 17, 23, 28, 33, 44, 45, 47, 61, and 78. For those of you coming from that other shopping mecca - King of Prussia - Routes 124 and 125 stop two blocks from The District!
The Sports Complex – where there is always something going on. This is where you’ll catch home games of the Eagles, Flyers, Phillies, and Sixers – and their home stadiums, Lincoln Financial Field, Citizens Bank Park, and Wells Fargo Center, are also host to plenty of concerts. Don’t have tickets, but want to join the tailgate? Xfinity Live! is always a great place to visit for food, drink, and entertainment. And your SEPTA Key or Pass also gets you 10% off your food bill, and lets you access the VIP line! It’s so easy to get to all of these points in the complex – just hop the Broad Street Line south to NRG Station.
Bartram’s Gardens located along the banks of the Schuylkill River invites visitors to explore, connect to nature, participate in programs, celebrate personal journeys, relax, reflect, and experience something new. The grounds are free and open to the public year-round, dawn to dusk. In addition to guided tours, it also offers recreational activities on the Schuylkill River, including free boating, free fishing, and cruises to Center City. If you'd rather just do your own thing, the 45-acre property offers plenty of green space to explore or relax. Take the Route 36 Trolley to Lindbergh Blvd & 54th Street. Bartram's Garden is only a minute walk from there! Please note: the Route 36 is currently operating bus service on Woodland Avenue between 49th Street and the 40th Street Portal Plan your trip here.
The Riverfront celebrates all year long. Spruce Street Harbor Park in the summer, skating rinks (roller and ice!) depending on the season, arts markets at the Cherry Street Pier, festivals and concerts and fireworks, oh my! Something is always happening along the Riverfront, and it’s always easy to get there on SEPTA. SEPTA Bus Routes 21, 33, and 42 stop at the Great Plaza at Penn's Landing and Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest at the Chestnut Street turnaround. Routes 17 and 48 stop at Front and Market Streets. Route 12 stops directly at Spruce Street Harbor Park at Columbus Blvd and Dock Street. Route 25 runs along Columbus Blvd. You can also take the SEPTA Market-Frankford Line (the Blue Line) to the 2nd Street stop. From there, head east over the Market Street Bridge. The Blue Cross RiverRink and Great Plaza at Penn's Landing will be straight ahead.
We do appreciate you participating in Car Free Day this Sunday. Use #CarFreeDay and #ISEPTAPHILLY to post on social media.
And don't forget - SEPTA makes it so easy to access everything our city has to offer, that we think every day should be car free day.
