Eagles issue travel advisory for season opener amid SEPTA service cuts
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A temporary injunction has paused further SEPTA service cuts, but uncertainty remains as the Eagles prepare to host their season opener Thursday night at Lincoln Financial Field.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said Tuesday he is continuing negotiations in Harrisburg on a state budget and mass transit funding.
"I am not going to negotiate the deal through the media," Shapiro said. "I can tell you we narrowed the differences and I'm going to continue to go back and forth between the House and Senate to find that common ground."
The Eagles issued a travel advisory for Thursday's game, announcing parking lots will open early at 1:30 p.m.
It's still unclear how the court order will affect SEPTA's Sports Express service. George Bochetto, the attorney who filed the lawsuit against SEPTA last week, sent a letter Tuesday requesting clarification.
"Eliminating the Sports Express Trains and reducing the number of train cars will create chaos," Bochetto said.
SEPTA says its attorneys are currently reviewing the request.
The season opener is one of the hottest tickets in the NFL. According to Vivid Seats, the average ticket price is just over $900.
The team urged fans to carpool and asked those without tickets to avoid the sports complex.
"During the regular season it can [be] a couple thousand," SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch said, referring to the number of people who travel to South Philadelphia for games and nearby attractions. "You have people going to tailgates, and to Xfinity Live. So there is a number of things that people go down for."
RELATED: Gov. Shapiro meets with legislative leaders as SEPTA funding impasse continues
SEPTA is seeking a sponsor to help fund the extra trains typically added for major events.
"Calls are out. We are talking to everybody and we'll see if anything comes together," a SEPTA official said.
