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SEPTA is planning extra service and free rides for the World Cup

The rides back from NRG Station on match days will be free thanks to a sponsorship.

The post-game trips from NRG will be free.
The post-game trips from NRG will be free.Read moreJose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer

Soccer fan or not, the FIFA World Cup is helping materialize one of many Philadelphians’ wildest dreams: more SEPTA rides and for free (but there are restrictions).

SEPTA will run additional services on the B, or Broad Street, Line for all six World Cup matches taking place at the Lincoln Financial Field. The rides back from NRG Station will be free.

SEPTA said it expects about 31,000 riders per match. The Broad Street Line will have extra trips and train capacity with 10 additional rides to and from NRG Station on game days, making it possible to transport about 15,000 people per hour, SEPTA said.

Starting at halftime and continuing for two hours following the end of each game, the rides are free, due to an Airbnb sponsorship.

Game days will also bring overnight services for both the Broad Street Line and the L, or Market-Frankford, Line. Trains will run every 30 minutes to the following stations:

  1. Overnight service on the L Line: Frankford Transportation Center, Front-Girard, 2nd Street, 8th Street, 15th Street/City Hall, Drexel Station at 30th Street, 40th Street, 69th Street Transit Center

  2. Overnight service on the B Line: Fern Rock Transit Center, Olney Transit Center, Erie, Girard, Spring Garden, Race-Vine, 15th Street/City Hall, Walnut-Locust, Oregon, NRG

Meanwhile, bus Routes 32 and 48 are also getting more trips. From June 11 to July 19, extra buses will run for the FIFA fan festival at Lemon Hill.

Between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m., Philadelphians and visitors can catch either route every 15 minutes or less, SEPTA said.

Unlike in New Jersey, Philly public transportation fees will remain at the regular $2.90 for subway rides. And SEPTA will have ambassadors at City Hall, Walnut-Locust, and NRG Stations to help people navigate the routes. The language accessibility depends on whether the ambassador speaks more than one language, SEPTA said.

“We are thrilled to accommodate the thousands of visitors expected to take our system for safe, reliable, and convenient service to the FIFA World Cup events,” said SEPTA General Manager Scott A. Sauer.