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It looks like I'll have several hours between my Amtrak to Philadelphia and my Atlantic City NJ Transit train. I thought I'd go downtown, perhaps to the Poe House, to which I've never been--it's a National Historic Site. Shall I take SEPTA down from 30th St to Reading Station area, or would I be better off just taking a taxi? What's the procedure for getting a free SEPTA ticket when you get off Amtrak at 30th St? And where exactly do I take it? Thanks so much . . . .
palmland Member # 4344
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In the 'old days' you just had to show your Pennsylvania RR ticket stub (in my case, Wilmington to Philadelphia-30st.) and you get a free ride from PRR commuter trains (upper level) to Suburban station downtown.
According to Amtrak's winter timetable, the process is the same - just show your receipt from NY to go to either Suburban Station or Market St. East. Why pay money for a taxi when you can get a free train ride?
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Ms. Sojourner, as Mr. Palmland noted, the trains to Suburban Station and now continuing to points on the Reading leave from the Upper Level of 30th St. Amtrak uses the Main Level. To access the Upper Level, from the Amtrak concourse, walk West within the building until you see a ramp heading North. Walk up that ramp and you will see track gates used by the SEPTA trains.
Another point to check is if your Amtrak ticket stub is good for transportation East of Suburban Station to Reading Terminal. This was a freebie dating back to when the PRR closed Broad St Station during 1952 - and Broad Street was simply "the end of the line".
Mr. Resor will soon likely add a comment regarding this point.
rresor Member # 128
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Okay, I'll add a comment. SEPTA usually doesn't collect tickets eastbound until after the Market East stop, or westbound until after 30th Street, so even someone without an Amtrak ticket can probably ride for free.
But when the Center City Tunnel was opened in 1984, SEPTA began honoring Amtrak tickets between 30th Street and Market East. So in the unlikely event you're asked to show a ticket, just show the Amtrak stub.
When I used to travel to Washington on business, I'd often take a bus from my house to Market East, board SEPTA there for 30th Street, and then catch my Amtrak train. Unfortunately, Amtrak hasn't seen fit to put QuikTrak machines at Market East, so I had no way to pick up my Amtrak ticket until I got to 30th. I figured I'd just show the reservation page to the SEPTA conductor if he asked -- which he never did.
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