PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — SEPTA announced Wednesday that the transit agency has found a partner to help fully restore Broad Street Line services for the Philadelphia Eagles’ home opener.
Officials said FanDuel has stepped up to provide resources to ensure fans can get to and from Lincoln Financial Field on Thursday.
The announcement comes amid massive SEPTA cuts and after the Eagles issued a travel advisory for Thursday’s game, announcing parking lots will open early at 1:30 p.m.
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The FanDuel sponsorship covers free rides home for fans, which will begin at halftime and continue through the end of service.
“We appreciate FanDuel and SEPTA for collaborating to help provide Eagles fans with convenient transportation to-and-from our home opener,” said Don Smolenski, President, Philadelphia Eagles. “Their generous support will assist fans in getting to Lincoln Financial Field so that we can all enjoy the Championship Moment together as we take on the division rival Dallas Cowboys.”
On Friday, a judge ordered SEPTA to halt further service cuts and fare hikes following an emergency hearing. Late Wednesday, the judge clarified that the order also required the restoration of the Sports Express service.
House Democrats rallied at the NRG Station stop next to the stadiums. They blamed Senate Republicans for failing to pass transportation funding legislation.
“The legislators you see here took the hard votes we took five bills to the Senate Republicans that would’ve fully funded SEPTA, five bills,” said Democratic State Representative Tarik Khan, who represents a portion of Philadelphia, referencing efforts to secure funding.
Republican State Senator Frank Farry, who represents a portion of Bucks County, countered that SEPTA has enough funding to maintain normal service levels until a deal is reached. He also added that while Democrats are holding rallies criticizing Republicans, several GOP Senators were working with SEPTA to find sponsorship for Thursday night’s trains.
Farry said they secured Uber, but ultimately FanDuel and the Eagles stepped in.
“There’s been a lot of rhetoric with this funding crisis,” Farry said. “We’re just trying to find solutions for commuters and the workforce.”
SEPTA said it will run regularly scheduled subway trains, plus Sports Express trips, before and after the game.
Pre-game Sports Express trips will run every 10 minutes. There will also be 10 Express and six local trains ready to get fans home from NRG Station after the game.
“SEPTA is grateful to FanDuel for stepping up with this sponsorship to restore Sports Express service for the Eagles home opener,” said Scott A. Sauer, General Manager, SEPTA. “This is a challenging time for SEPTA and our customers, but this partnership will ensure that Eagles fans have safe, clean, and reliable service to-and-from the game – and with the added bonus of free rides home.”
The post-game trips will operate for approximately 70 minutes, officials said.
“SEPTA urges fans to go to NRG station right after the game to ensure they can catch a train home,” SEPTA officials said.
The season opener is one of the hottest tickets in the NFL. According to Vivid Seats, the average ticket price is just over $900.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said Tuesday he is continuing negotiations in Harrisburg on a state budget and mass transit funding.
A hearing continues Thursday in a lawsuit filed against SEPTA by riders and a consumer advocacy group.
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