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Broad Street Line 'Sports Express' Service Set to Kick-Off Eagles Season Home Opener at Lincoln Financial Field

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Sunday, September 7, SEPTA Broad Street Line "Sports Express" service will operate extra trains every 10 minutes from Fern Rock Transportation Center en route to Pattison Station and the sports complex as the Philadelphia Eagles open the season against the Saint Louis Rams at Lincoln Financial Field for a 1 p.m. kick-off.

Sports Express trains will leave Fern Rock Transportation Center between 10:10 a.m. and 12:10 p.m. every 10 minutes en route to a Pattison Station, festively adorned in Eagles green and white, where eager fans will be given chocolate treats prior to game time.

Sports Express trains stop only at the Olney Transportation Center,Erie,Girard, Spring Garden, Race-Vine, City Hall and Walnut-Locust Stations en route to Pattison Station and Lincoln Financial Field. The express trip from City Hall Station to the stadium takes only about eight minutes. It is a 27-minute ride from Fern Rock. Local Broad Street Line trains will also be in service about every 12 minutes with local trains taking about 11 minutes to travel to Pattison Station from City Hall Station.

The Eagles will entertain a sold-out crowd of 68,000 fans at Lincoln Financial Field in the sports complex area where limited parking and traffic congestion remain a regular struggle. As a result fans have chosen the Broad Street Line to avoid the delays and inconvenience. Ridership has steadily increased to Eagles home games over the past few seasons from just over 5,000 fans in 2000 to nearly 10,000 in 2007.

"The Parking Authority has experienced a slight decline in parking offenses in the stadium area last season, however there are still many fans that like to take their chances," said Rick Dickson from the Philadelphia Parking Authority.

"Over 86 parking offenses were recorded last football season," said Dickson. "I'm sure many fans are aware that parking fines have increased to $31.00 and are avoiding driving altogether. It makes sense. For the cost of only two SEPTA tokens ($2.90), you can get there quickly, conveniently and comfortably -- without the hassle."

In addition, SEPTA will operate Sports Express trains to every Eagles regular season home games this season to help minimize traffic congestion at the Sports Complex inSouth Philadelphia.

After the game fans will find northbound trains standing by to provide express and local service back to Fern Rock.

In addition, Eagles fans driving intoCenter City on Sunday, may park at any one of five city-operated parking lots for only $5.00 and also purchase SEPTA tokens there. It is only a short walk to the Broad Street line City Hall Station from the parking lots.

The parking lots include:

-- AutoPark -- JFK Plaza Garage -- 15th & Arch Sts.

-- AutoPark -- Center City Lot -- 15th & Arch Sts.

-- Gateway Garage -- 15th & Vine Sts.

-- AutoPark -- Gallery Mall -- 10th & Filberts Sts.

-- AutoPark -- Jefferson -- 10th & Ludlow Sts.

Extra Broad Street Line service will also operate on Saturday (September 6) departing Fern Rock at 10:55 a.m., 11:03 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. for fans heading to the Temple football game at Lincoln Financial Field and the Hero Thrill Show at the Wachovia Center. Both events are scheduled at 12 p.m.

For additional information, call SEPTA Customer Service at (215) 580-7800 or access the SEPTA web site at www.septa.org.

SOURCE SEPTA