SEPTA How To: Neshaminy Mall
October 25, 2017
SEPTA How To: Neshaminy Mall
Hey shoppers and mall rats! Have you been itching to go to Neshaminy Mall? Do you want to get a jump on your holiday shopping? Are you just waiting for a convenient way to get there and home?
Well, you’re in luck. Now is the time. Thanks to SEPTA’s new Boulevard Direct Bus!
The Boulevard Direct serves Roosevelt Boulevard between Frankford Transportation Center and the Neshaminy Mall. The Boulevard Direct service is an enhancement to the Route 14, which also runs along Roosevelt Boulevard. The Boulevard Direct makes eight total stops along its 10-mile route: Frankford Transportation Center, Cottman Avenue, Rhawn Street, Welsh Road, Grant Avenue, Red Lion Road, Neshaminy Interplex and the Neshaminy Mall. The Route 14 follows this same 10-mile stretch, however, it makes over 80 stops. By limiting stops to eight strategic locations along the line, the average Boulevard Direct trip from end-to-end will takes approximately 30 minutes, compared to 47 minutes on a Route 14 bus.
If you’re new to bus riding – fear not! Here, we explain how to utilize SEPTA’s brand new Boulevard Direct Bus to navigate Roosevelt Boulevard and get yourself to Neshaminy Mall. This is a step-by-step guide that will teach you exactly how SEPTA can get you there, and should answer any questions you may have along the way.
Which bus is right for me?
To get to Neshaminy Mall, the Boulevard Direct is a convenient choice of travel, as it expresses past the 80 stops that the Route 14 makes, and only makes 10.
The Boulevard Direct starts its route at the Frankford Transportation Center. It will travel north along Roosevelt Boulevard, making stops at Cottman Ave, Rhawn St, Welsh Rd, Grant Ave, Red Lion Rd, Neshaminy Interplex, and then will terminate at Neshaminy Mall.
During peak rush hour travel, the Boulevard Direct buses run every 10 minutes, with service during most other time periods every 15 minutes.
For more information on the Boulevard Direct, click here.
The Route 14 will also get you to Neshaminy Mall, making more stops along the route. This Route also begins at Frankford Transportation Center, and travels to Neshaminy Mall (and Oxford Valley) – but it will make many more stops along the way.
The Route 128 is another option, traveling between two malls (lucky you!) – Oxford Valley Mall and Neshaminy Mall. The 128 will pass through Levittown, Bristol and Bensalem before looping to Neshaminy Mall.
Where do I find my bus stop?
As noted on the map below, find your stop at one of the eight stops along the Boulevard Direct Bus Route, if that’s your route of choice. SEPTA also offers a free interchange at all designated Boulevard Direct stops (except Frankford Transportation Center) for connections to or from the Route 14.
Since all of these buses have such different routes (that don’t all overlap), please refer to each route’s maps (the maps are linked above). Once you know your starting location, you can pick which bus is closest to you.
If you’re using our Trip Planner, select your bus, and then head to your closest bus stop listed in the directions.
Once you’ve found your bus stop, open your SEPTA App for Apple iOS or Android, and click on the Transit View. Select the route, and track where your bus is. Transit View updates every 3 minutes. If you tap the option bar in the upper right hand corner, you can view which color buses are heading in which direction.
If you’re already at the bus stop, you can get the next four scheduled trips texted to you by following these directions:
1. Open a new text message and type 'septa' and the STOP ID number (found on the SEPTA Bus Stop sign).
2. Send the text to 41411 3. Receive a return text with the next four scheduled trips
Remember: always board through the front of the bus. You can exit through the rear door if you choose.
How can I pay?
A detailed list of all of your fare options can be found here. If it’s a one-time bus ride, you can buy tokens at certain convenience stores, SEPTA Sales locations and Stations. The cost of a bus ride with a token is $2. Tokens may only be purchased in packs of two or more. If you want to hop on the bus right away before buying tokens, you can pay $2.50 in exact change onboard.
This is a great opportunity to try out your SEPTA Key Card (or get one, if you haven’t yet)! You can find plenty of places to buy a Key Card here. You can add money to your Travel Wallet, which will be the same value as tokens. Then, just tap your Key Card at our red validators on the bus to pay.
If you already have a TransPass loaded onto your Key, you can use it on ALL bus, trolley, subway or Norristown High Speed Line trips, including this one. Just tap your Key on the validator. The same goes for a paper TransPass. If you’re a regular Rail rider, you’re in luck! A paper TrailPass will also allow you to ride on transit
If you’re just doing urban exploring, you can get a One-Day Convenience Pass for $9, and is valid for up to 8 bus rides in a single day (or 8 rides on any SEPTA Transit services).
If you also plan to include any Regional Rail travel in your trip, then the One-Day Independence Pass is for you. It’s only $13, and allows you unlimited one-day travel on all SEPTA services.
Also, if you have a TransPass, TrailPass, One-Day Independence Pass or SEPTA Key, you get SEPTA Pass Perks!
When do I pull the string to request my stop?
Since this festival spans so much of the neighborhood… it’s up to you where you want to get off! The map for the festival can be found here. Anywhere in the vicinity of 24th to 20th Streets, and Lombard to Christian Streets will put you in walking distance of the festivities, so we recommend that before you go, you check out their events and stage schedule and decide where you want to be!
When it’s time for you to pull the string, you’ll want to pull it when your block is the next block. That will let the Operator know that you plan to get off.
Anything we didn’t cover?
If you still have questions, we have a short How-To video for you on our Destinations page. Simply scroll down below the Search Bar, and you’ll find our How-To videos, including How to Ride SEPTA Bus Routes.
…If you still have questions, well, we can help with that too. Our SEPTA Customer Service team is available through Twitter M-F (7a-7p) and on weekends (8a-6p). Tweet any questions at them and they’ll get back to you quickly with answers. If you don’t have Twitter, you can ask your questions with the Chat Now option. You can also reach them by phone at (215) 580-7800.
If your question isn’t urgent, you can email us at ISEPTAPHILLY@septa.org.
To make your travels easier, we recommend you download the SEPTA App. This helps with more than just your bus ride! Our App provides you with schedules, Transit View, Alerts, Pass Perks, and more. And it’s free.
Our buses are a great way to get to all of the corners of our city, so don’t be nervous! Remember, even the most seasoned rider had to once have their first solo-bus-ride, it’s just a matter of doing it.
Now you’re equipped with everything you need to know about riding the bus. So go catch your ride!
