Bus Travel in Philadelphia

Buses make up the bulk of the SEPTA system, with 110 routes extending throughout the city and into the suburbs. Although the buses are comfortable and reliable, they should be used only when you are not in a hurry, as traffic on the city's major thoroughfares can add some time to your trip.

The distinctive purple minibuses you'll see around Center City are SEPTA's convenience line for visitors, the PHLASH. The 33 stops in the loop run from the Philadelphia Museum of Art on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway through Center City to Penn's Landing. Since a ride on the PHLASH costs $1 for a one-way ticket, consider the handy all-day, unlimited-ride pass available for $4 per passenger or $10 for up to five passengers. These buses run daily from 10 AM to midnight from mid-May to mid-September, 10 to 6 the rest of the year. There's service every 10 minutes.

Fares & Schedules

The base fare for subways, trolleys, and buses is $2, paid with exact change or a token. Transfers cost 60¢. Senior citizens (with valid I.D.) ride free during off-peak hours and holidays. Up to two children (less than 42 inches tall) ride free with each paying adult. Tokens sell for $1.30 and can be purchased in packages of 2, 5, or 10 from cashiers along the Broad Street subway and Market-Frankford lines and in many downtown stores (including some Rite Aid pharmacies). You can also purchase them online at www.buyphilly.com.

If you plan to travel extensively within Center City, it's a good idea to get a SEPTA pass. The Day Pass costs $5.50 and is good for 24 hours of unlimited use on all SEPTA vehicles within the city, plus one trip on any regional rail line, including the Airport Express train. A weekly transit pass costs $18.75. Tokens and transit passes are good on buses and subways but not on commuter rail lines.

You can purchase tokens and transit passes in the SEPTA sales offices in the concourse below the northwest corner of 15th and Market streets; in the Market East station (8th and Market Sts.); and in 30th Street Station (30th and Market Sts.)

Though SEPTA's automated answering system has cut down on your phone wait, be prepared for a busy signal and a long time on hold.

Bus Information

PHLASH (215/474-5274. www.gophila.com/phlash). SEPTA (215/580-7800. www.septa.org).