SEPTA How-To: Belmont Plateau
June 1, 2017
Updated Saturday, July 1, 2017 to reflect FY18 Fare Change.
ISEPTAPHILLYers, are you heading to Parks on Tap this week at Belmont Plateau? The roaming beer garden will be there Wednesday through Sunday of this week, and we want to make sure your “bus nerves” don’t make you miss it! We’ve put together a step-by-step guide that explains 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 Belmont Plateau, you can hop the Route 38 Bus. This is the only bus that will get you close.
The Route 38 begins on 5th Street (north of Market Street) and finishes at the Wissahickon Transportation Center. The Route 38 runs about every 20 minutes during the day and early evening; after 8pm, the bus will be less frequent, running every 30-40 minutes. This bus will travel up Belmont Ave, dropping you at a 2 minute walk from Belmont Plateau, which is where you can find Parks on Tap this week.
Where do I find my bus stop?
We’ll walk you through the directions from City Hall in Center City Philadelphia – since this is an easily identifiable landmark and the center of town. It will also make it easier for you if you plan to connect; the Broad Street Line, Market-Frankford Line, Regional Rail, and Trolleys all have stops here (and nearby).
There are plenty of Route 38 bus stops near here; you can find the bus stop for the Route 38 on Market between 6th Street and City Hall, as well as on JFK Blvd between Broad and 20th Streets. Make sure you’re on the side of the street where the traffic is heading west. If you get the 38 at any of these locations, it will be heading towards the Belmont Plateau. The closest stop to City Hall is 15th Street and JFK Blvd – there’s a bus shelter there.
If you’re using our Trip Planner, you can head to your closest bus stop listed in the directions.
If you’re flying without a nav-system, you can find the map here. On this map, you’ll notice directional arrows so you can tell in which direction the bus will be going along the route. The bus will stop on mostly every corner along the route – just look for the bus stop sign or bus shelter (on Market, they will be shelters). If you don’t see one, walk to the next block along the route; you should find one there.
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 38, 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 you already have a TransPass, you can use it on ALL bus, trolley, subway or Norristown High Speed Line trips, including this one, the Route 38. 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 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 $2.00. 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’re just doing urban exploring, you can get a One-Day Convenience Pass for $8, 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 $12, 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! With your valid SEPTA TrailPass, TransPass, One Day Independence Pass, SEPTA Key or SEPTA Employee ID, receive $1 off your first drink at any Parks on Tap Location.
When do I pull the string to request my stop?
The 38 will travel up Belmont for a while, so we recommend paying close attention once the bus passes Montgomery Drive (tip: you can follow on your phone’s map app if you aren’t exactly sure where you are).
After Montgomery Drive, it’s only a half of a mile to where you want to get off the bus: Belmont Mansion Drive. Pull the string to request your stop after the bus passes Wynnefield Ave (which will only be the first and only left passed after Montgomery Drive). This will alert the Operator that you plan to get off at the next stop, which is Belmont Ave and Belmont Mansion Drive.
When you get off the bus on Belmont Ave, you will not cross Belmont. Instead, walk up the road of Belmont Mansion Drive (please watch for cars!). This will loop you around to the Belmont Plateau, where you will find the beer garden you seek.
…And to get home?
Returning to the city is simple. Just retrace the steps you took up to the Belmont Plateau, back to Belmont Avenue. You’ll have to cross Belmont this time to get a bus heading into the city (please, wait for the signal!). This bus stop is a sign attached to an electric pole (the only one on that corner – across the sidewalk from a stone bench). The sign states that it is the correct stop for the Route 38 Bus heading back towards the city.
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!
