Fans say public transportation is the best travel to draft

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Philadelphia is getting high marks from the first visitors here to the NFL draft experience.

Action News asked about everything from the security to the logistics getting here.

These football fans told us it was easy, and they're loving all that they get to see and do.

One fan said, "Love it. Love the city. It's a really fun city."

And they're loving the NFL experience right on the Ben Franklin Parkway.

On Thursday afternoon, the first visitors started through the gates and got in the lines to get in on all the action - with more to come in the hours ahead.

Danny Whitney, a Widener University junior said, "I am excited to see the Eagles get the number 14 pick. I think it's gonna be very hyped around here once they get on the board. Yeah, I am definitely excited to see that."

They found security checks to be a breeze and the strong police presence is helping everyone to feel safe.

Eric Hartford of West Philadelphia said, "It was pretty good. They searched for whatever they had to search for and it was pretty effortless to get in here."

For all the concern about getting her - most told us - no problem, especially for those who chose public transportation.

Julian Jastrzebski, a Widener University junior said "I've never actually taken the train before, so we went to Swarthmore station and then we went to Suburban station. It wasn't actually as bad as I thought. "

Green was the dominant color on the parkway - after all this is Eagles country, but jerseys of different colors are starting to appear as tourists arrive in town.

Sharlene Winbush of Newark, New Jersey said, "To do the experience, every year is so much fun. Something different. Something brand new and you get to meet a lot of different people, a lot of different fans. It's a way to get away."

Eric Staton of Long Island, New York said, "It's the draft. Its close enough and I want to see the draft. I want to see what our boys do."

There were some complaints about traffic getting here, but that's to be expected and visitors said it really wasn't too bad.

Travelers gave high marks for public transportation, and that seems like that's the way to go, no matter where you're coming from.

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