Penn, Drexel, CHOP partner for SEPTA Strike Plan

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia have partnered for their contingency plan for a SEPTA strike.

Here is the information as released by officials:

The University's Transit Strike Contingency Plan outlined below is designed to help bring commuters from within the City to campus and complements those plans issued by neighboring organizations in University City. Commuters are encouraged to find alternative solutions such as carpooling, biking, and walking. Information may be found at www.upenn.edu/PennTransit.

UNIVERSITY'S TRANSIT STRIKE CONTINGENCY PLAN

The University has partnered with Drexel University, the University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS) and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) to provide complimentary transit services to all employees of these institutions, plus affiliated institutions and organizations at Penn.

GUEST PASSES FOR AFFILIATED WORKERS

Penn Transit Services, in partnership with the UPHS, CHOP and Drexel, is offering temporary transportation-only guest passes to the staff of affiliated institutions and organizations such as Allied Barton, Bon Appétit, and L.F. Driscoll. These organizations provide direct services to the University. Guest passes may be obtained at the Transportation and Parking Office at 3401 Walnut St., Suite 447A when a strike is imminent. These passes are complimentary and require a valid institutional ID or employer's note on company letterhead.

CONNECTIONS TO PATCO, CENTER CITY/RITTENHOUSE SQUARE; AND 69th STREET TERMINAL

Penn and Drexel buses will pick up passengers during the morning_commute from: the PATCO Terminal at 15th and Locust Streets, in front of Fado Irish Pub; and from the 69th Street Terminal, Market Street and Chatham Road in front of the EMG Urgent Care layover. During the afternoon commute, buses will pick-up passengers at two locations. These pick-up locations are the Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter (LRSM), 3231 Walnut Street; and the corner of 33rd and Ludlow Streets. This service is free and available to all faculty, staff, and students of both institutions. Riders must present a valid institutional ID card (i.e., PennCard) at the time of boarding the bus. To access schedules, updates, and changes, visit the Penn Transit web site at www.upenn.edu/PennTransit.

SCHEDULES

The following strike bus schedule from Penn and Drexel will be followed as closely as possible; however, please note that due to increased traffic because of a strike, riders may experience delays. The plaza in front of the Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter (LRSM) at 3231 Walnut Street, will serve as the outbound terminal for Penn buses, while 33rd and Ludlow Streets will serve as the outbound terminal for Drexel buses. Penn students, faculty, staff, and those individuals with guest passes obtained from Penn's Transportation and Parking Office may ride either a Penn or a Drexel bus.

This Penn Transit Service is available Monday through Friday. All service is express.

"P" indicates one University of Pennsylvania vehicle.

"D" indicates two Drexel University vehicles.

INBOUND MORNING COMMUTE SCHEDULES

15th and Locust Streets: Southwest Corner in front of Fado Irish Pub

7:00 a.m. D

7:30 a.m. P

8:00 a.m. D, P

8:30 a.m. D, P

9:00 a.m. D

9:30 a.m. P

69th Street Terminal: Market Street and Chatham Road in front of EMG Medical Center

7:00 a.m. D

7:30 a.m. P

8:00 a.m. D

8:30 a.m. P

9:00 a.m. D

9:30 a.m. P

OUTBOUND AFTERNOON COMMUTE SCHEDULE

To 15th and Locust Streets To 69th Street Terminal

4:15 p.m. P 4:15 p.m. P

4:45 p.m. P 4:45 p.m. D

5:15 p.m. P 5:15 p.m. P

5:45 p.m. P 5:45 p.m. D

6:15 p.m. D 6:15 p.m. D

Penn Transit buses and shuttles will operate on their regular schedules and routes starting at 5:00 p.m. For more information about Penn Transit Services, please visit www.upenn.edu/PennTransit.

THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA SERVICE

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) will operate two shuttle service routes available to the Penn Community. CHOP's shuttle routes are as follows:

WEST PHILADELPHIA SHUTTLE

CHOP will provide a shuttle loop, beginning at 63rd and Chestnut Streets, traveling eastbound along Chestnut Street to 34th Street. The shuttle will turn south on 34th Street and then West on Walnut Street, proceed westbound along Walnut Street and terminate at 63rd and Walnut Streets. The shuttle will stop at all even number streets to take on and discharge passengers. Employees must have and display a valid CHOP, Penn, UPHS or Wistar Institute ID card to board the shuttle. DLC Management Inc. will operate the shuttles. There will be signs located on the sides and front of the shuttles identifying them. The shuttles will operate five days a week during the strike, using the scheduled times below. The shuttles will originate at 63rd & Chestnut Streets at the beginning of each scheduled start time.

-6:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.

-2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

-10:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m.

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA SHUTTLE

CHOP will provide a shuttle loop, beginning at Broad Street and Washington Avenue, traveling westbound along Washington Avenue. The shuttle will turn onto Grays Ferry Avenue and then on to 34th Street/University Avenue. The shuttle will terminate at the Wood Center at Civic Center Boulevard and Osler Circle. The shuttle will stop at all even number streets to take on and discharge passengers. Employees must have and display a valid CHOP, Penn, UPHS or Wistar Institute ID card to board the shuttle. DLC Management Inc. will operate the shuttles. There will be signs located on the sides and front of the shuttles identifying them. The shuttles will operate five days a week during the strike, using the scheduled times below. The shuttles will originate at Broad Street and Washington Avenue at the beginning of each scheduled start time.

-6:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.

-2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

-10:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m.

LUCY (LOOP THROUGH UNIVERSITY CITY)

LUCY will continue normal service. These shuttle routes loop through University City serving 30th Street Station, Penn, University City Science Center, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, CHOP, and Children's Seashore House.

LUCY runs Monday through Friday, except major holidays from 6:10 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Penn employees and students at CHOP, Wistar Institute and UPHS need only present a valid institutional ID. Drexel faculty, staff and students may not participate in this service. For more information about this service, visit universitycity.org/lucy.

UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA HEALTH SYSTEM (UPHS) SPECIAL SHUTTLES

UPHS will offer alternative transportation services in the event of a strike. There will be three special shuttle routes: Lancaster Avenue, Spruce Street (returning on Chestnut Street), and Woodland Avenue. You must show a valid id from UPHS, Penn, or ARAMARK to board the shuttles.

These services will operate Monday through Friday.

LANCASTER AVENUE ROUTE

5:30 a.m.to 8:30 a.m. - Route will start at 63rd Street and Lancaster Avenue, stopping at 60th and Lancaster, 56th and Lancaster, 52nd and Lancaster, 46th and Lancaster, 42nd and Lancaster, Myrin Circle at UPMC - Presbyterian, and 33rd Street in front of the Penn Tower. The shuttle will wait one minute at each stop. Once a full route has been completed, the route will be repeated.

2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. - Route will start at 63rd Street and Lancaster Avenue. Additional stops will include 60th and Lancaster, 56th and Lancaster, 52nd and Lancaster, 46th and Lancaster, 42nd and Lancaster, Myrin Circle at UPMC - Presbyterian, and 33rd Street in front of the Penn Tower. The shuttle will wait one minute at each stop. Once a full route has been completed, the route will be repeated.

10:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. - Route will start at 33rd Street in front of the Penn Tower and then go to Myrin Circle at UPMC - Presbyterian. Additional stops from that point will include 42nd and Lancaster, 46th and Lancaster, 52nd and Lancaster, 56th and Lancaster, 60th and Lancaster, and 63rd and Lancaster. The shuttle will wait one minute at each stop. Once a full route has been completed, the route will be repeated.

All UPHS special shuttles will stop in front of Penn Tower on 33rd Street and in the Myrin Circle in front of the Wright-Saunders Building at UPMC - Presbyterian. The shuttles will be marked with a "UPHS Shuttle" sign, which will also indicate the route.

SPRUCE STREET AND CHESTNUT STREET ROUTE

5:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. - Route will start at 42nd and Spruce Streets, stopping at 52nd and Spruce, 60th and Spruce, 63rd and Chestnut, 56th and Chestnut, 46th and Chestnut, Myrin Circle at UPMC - Presbyterian, and 33rd Street in front of the Penn Tower. The shuttle will wait one minute at each stop. Once a full route has been completed, the route will be repeated.

2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. - Route will start at 42nd and Spruce Streets, stopping at 52nd and Spruce, 60th and Spruce, 63rd and Chestnut, 56th and Chestnut, 46th and Chestnut, Myrin Circle at UPMC - Presbyterian, and 33rd Street in front of the Penn Tower. The shuttle will wait one minute at each stop. Once a full route has been completed, the route will be repeated.

10:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. - Route will start at 33rd Street in front of the Penn Tower and then go to Myrin Circle at UPMC - Presbyterian. Additional stops from that point will include 42nd and Spruce, 52nd and Spruce, 60th and Spruce, 63rd and Chestnut, 56th and Chestnut, and 46th and Chestnut. The shuttle will wait one minute at each stop. Once a full route has been completed, the route will be repeated.

WOODLAND AVENUE ROUTE

5:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. - Route will start at 63rd Street and Lindbergh Boulevard, making stops at 63rd and Woodland, 60th and Woodland, 56th and Woodland, 52nd and Woodland, 46th and Woodland, 41st and Woodland, Myrin Circle at UPMC - Presbyterian, and 33rd Street in front of the Penn Tower. The shuttle will wait one minute at each stop. Once a full route has been completed, the route will be repeated.

2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. - Route will start at 63rd Street and Lindbergh Boulevard and make stops at 63rd and Woodland, 60th and Woodland, 56th and Woodland, 52nd and Woodland, 46th and Woodland, 41st and Woodland, Myrin Circle at UPMC - Presbyterian, and 33rd Street in front of the Penn Tower. The shuttle will wait one minute at each stop. Once a full route has been completed, the route will be repeated.

10:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. - Route will start at 33rd Street in front of the Penn Tower and go to Myrin Circle at UPMC - Presbyterian. Stops will include 41st and Woodland, 46th and Woodland, 52nd and Woodland, 56th and Woodland, 60th and Woodland, 63rd and Woodland, and 63rd and Lindbergh. The shuttle will wait one minute at each stop. Once a full route has been completed, the route will be repeated.

PARKING ON PENN'S CAMPUS

Penn Parking Services will actively monitor parking availability to maintain space for our permit holders. Availability of parking for non-permit holders will be limited.

Please expect major traffic delays throughout University City.

Should you elect to commute to campus by car during a transit strike, suggested locations for all day parking are found below. Please visit www.upenn.edu/parking for various rate structures at Penn Garages and Lots and to find locations on the interactive map.

-Chestnut 34 Garage - 34th Street between Ludlow and Chestnut Streets

-Penn Museum Garage - Convention Avenue, between Health Sciences Drive and South Street (after 8:00 a.m., Monday - Friday; after 6:00 a.m., Saturday and Sunday)

-Penn Park Lot - Lower Walnut and 31st Streets

-Penn Museum Harrison Lot - 33rd Street near South Street

-Sheraton Hotel Garage - 36th and Chestnut Streets

-Walnut 38 Garage - 38th and Walnut Streets (NE corner)

-Walnut 40 Garage - 40th and Walnut Streets (NW corner)

After 2:30 p.m. Monday - Friday, and all day Saturday and Sunday, patrons may use the Hollenback, Palestra and River Fields lots for $4/hour up to three hours and a $13 flat rate after three hours.

After 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday, and all day Saturday and Sunday, additional Penn lots are available for a $13 flat rate:

-Law Lot - N.E. corner of 34th and Chestnut Streets

-Ludlow 34 Lot - Ludlow Street between 33rd and 34th Streets

-Sansom 38 Lot - S.W. corner of 38th and Sansom Streets

After 7:00 p.m. Monday - Friday, and all day Saturday and Sunday, metered parking at the Penn Children's Center Lot at 3101 Chestnut Street is also available for a $13 flat rate.

BIKING AT PENN

The University supports biking as a commuting option. There are numerous bike corrals throughout campus where you can park and lock your bicycle. Additionally, there are three bike repair stations located at the Pottruck Health and Fitness Center, the Chemistry Building and the Law Lot bike corrals. For more information about biking at Penn, including a campus bike map that shows area bike paths and lanes as well as bike corrals, please visit www.upenn.edu/biking.

CARPOOLING

Commuters are also encouraged to carpool to campus. The University supports carpooling through discounted parking rates found here. To help form a carpool, please make use of the region's ridesharing database provided by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVPRC) at www.pacarpool.com.