Authorities Now Say Registered Buses Will Be Allowed On Closed Roads During Papal Visit
By Mike DeNardo and Diana Rocco
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Major highways including the Schuylkill Expressway won't be completely closed for the Pope's visit. Officially-registered buses are being allowed on those roads.
The Schuylkill Expressway, the Vine Expressway, and part of City Avenue are closing during the weekend of the Papal visit, but PennDOT says buses registered with 'Go Ground', the World Meeting of Families transportation manager, will have access to those otherwise-closed roads.
Go Ground CEO Bill Maulsby says registered buses will have unique watermarked placards.
"They'll be identified by specific large parking permits that will be in the bus window," Maulsby says. "And they'll be waved on and allowed to come down those restricted highways."
Registration is open until August 31, and Maulsby says more than 1,000 buses from commercial and private operators and parishes have already signed up.
He says many of those buses will park at the sports complex, and people will ride SEPTA to the papal events.
They are even designing a mobile app which will show visitors where their bus is parked and how to get back to it, soon available for iPhones and androids.
