Patco Revising Its Fare Rules For 2-Day Papal Visit in September
By Mike DeNardo
CAMDEN, N.J. (CBS) -- Patco today revealed its plan to accommodate the crush of riders expected for Pope Francis' visit to Philadelphia in September.
"We certainly are expecting the largest crowds that we've ever had," notes DRPA deputy CEO Michael Conallen, who says it will probably top 100,000 riders each day.
So, Patco, which operates the high-speed line from New Jersey, is changing the rules to accommodate the papal crowds on September 26th and 27th. Conallen says the normal distance-based fares will be suspended.
"We're going to revise our fare system for the day to provide for either a $2.50, one-way, or $5, round-trip, ticket."
And Patco will not honor the paper magnetic-strip tickets for those days. Riders will have to buy renewable Freedom Cards, which Conallen says will be sold in advance.
