Line of the Week: Broad Street Line
March 22, 2021
This week, we're taking a look at 10 miles and 22 stations of one of SEPTA's most familiar routes, the Broad Street Line! Stretching from Fern Rock Transportation Center to NRG Station, the BSL's local trains run every 7 minutes during AM and PM rush. Train times vary for the rest of the day, but the longest length between train times is 12 minutes. Express trains also run on a separate track and stop at 8 of the 22 stations - but don't operate between 10a and 2p.
The Broad Street Line is the second-most traveled SEPTA route, just behind the Market-Frankford Line.
The Broad Street Line took its inaugural trip over 92 years ago, on September 1, 1928. At that point, it only traveled between Olney Station and City Hall. It wouldn't extend to Walnut-Locust until 1930 and to Snyder Station until 1938. It took until 1973 (the year the Sports Complex opened) before it reached Pattison Avenue, known now as NRG Station.
In 1975, the Broad Street Line played host to the State-of-the-Art Car. The State-of-the-Art Car (SOAC) was a heavy rail mass transit demonstrator vehicle produced for the United States Department of Transportation's Urban Mass Transportation Administration in the 1970s. It was intended to demonstrate the latest technologies to operating agencies and the riding public, and serve to promote existing and proposed transit lines. It operated in intermittent revenue service on six rapid transit systems in five United States cities, visiting Philadelphia in 1975.
You can ride the Broad Street Line to so many great spots across the city. Ride it to Cecil B. Moore station and explore Temple University's Campus. Or take it south and explore the restaurants and stores along East Passyunk. And eventually, you'll be able to take the BSL to sporting events again at the Sports Complex. Citizens Bank Park, Wells Fargo Center, and Lincoln Financial Field are all walking distance from NRG Station.
If you're planning on riding - there are a few things you don't want to forget.
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You'll want to remember your SEPTA Key! This is your "key" to not just the Broad Street Line, but to all of SEPTA! If you're using your SEPTA Key, fare will be $2, your first transfer will be free and your second transfer will only be $1. Not only that, but children under the age of 12 ride free when accompanied by a fare-paying adult! And now, you can buy a Three Day Convenience Pass which is ideal for individuals who travel on SEPTA less than 5 days a week and visitors and tourists enjoying a multiple day stay in Philadelphia. The cost is $18 and it's good for 24 trips over 72 consecutive hours. Time starts with your first tap. It is meant for one rider. You can read up about fares here. And if you've never ridden the BSL before, check out this informative video on How to Ride and check out our Guide to Ride!
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Don't forget your mask! This isn't just to keep you safe, it's to keep everyone who rides SEPTA safe! Make sure your mask is covering both your mouth and your nose.
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And finally - don't forget to keep social distance!
