This week, we're exploring one of SEPTA's most familiar routes, the Broad Street Line. The BSL spans 10 miles and has 22 station stops for all local trains. 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. During peak times express trains run every 7 minutes, while during off peak hours express trains come every 12 minutes.
On a typical weekday, the BSL makes 626 trips and carries a total of 111,575 passengers. This makes it SEPTA’s second busiest traveled route. Do you know what the busiest route is? Let us know in the comments section below.
In the meantime, let’s take it back to when it all began – 1928. Service on the northern half of the Broad Street Line, between City Hall and Olney Avenue, opened on September 1, 1928. That's nearly 91 years of service!
Service to the Walnut-Locust station did not begin until 1930; the Lombard-South station entered service in 1932. Service from that point south to Snyder Avenue began on September 18, 1938. Service did not extend to Pattison Avenue, now known as NRG Station, until 1973. It’s not a coincidence that 1973 is also when the Sports Complex opened.
Whether you’re headed to class at Temple University, out to dinner in East Passyunk, or to watch the Sixers or the Phillies, the Broad Street Line is the best way there!