PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — The Eagles are back! And so are SEPTA’s Sports Express trains!<\/p>\n
SEPTA officials say a last minute hail mary sponsorship from FanDuel<\/a> will allow Sports Express trains to run every 10 minutes before the Eagles season opener Thursday night, and that it will be free to ride after the game.<\/p>\n Sports Express trains will start the 10 minute schedule on Thursday at 6:05 p.m., on top of the local trains that usually run.<\/p>\n SEPTA officials are urging fans not to waste any time getting to NRG Station after the game.<\/p>\n Robin Roberts sits down for a one-on-one with Jalen Hurts on GMA<\/p>\n The trains will run for 70 minutes after the game and will be free to ride home starting at halftime.<\/p>\n “I had to tell my Eagles baddies, ‘Listen, trains are going be running so you won’t get stuck down here,'” said fan Martina Johnson.<\/p>\n SEPTA had initially cut<\/a> the Sports Express train on the Broad Street Line to South Philadelphia due to budgeting deficits its been facing.<\/p>\n “I was thinking I was going to have to leave the game early just to get a train. I was hoping somebody was going to step in,” said fan Wendy Bos.<\/p>\n All that changed Wednesday after FanDuel sports betting stepped in to cover operating costs and fare to ride, making it free for fans after the game, starting at halftime.<\/p>\n ESPN analyst Sal Paolantonio breaks down what to watch for during Eagles vs Cowboys home opening at the Linc<\/p>\n “They’re helping us pick up part of our operating costs. That’s about the costs of about $40,000 just by itself and then on top of that they pick up the free fares on the ride home, that’s about another $40,000,” said SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch.<\/p>\n This new sponsorship is only for Thursday’s game for now.<\/p>\n What happens for later games and major events is still up in the air.<\/p>\n Right now, buses, subways and trolleys are still running 20% less than before service cuts went into effect.<\/p>\n RELATED: <\/strong> First round of SEPTA cuts in effect | What you need to know<\/a><\/p>\n