SEPTA How To: Manayunk
June 23, 2017
Updated Saturday, July 1, 2017 to reflect FY18 Fare Change.
This Saturday and Sunday (6/24 & 6/25), the Manayunk Arts Festival is taking over the streets of ‘Yunk. Featuring nearly 300 artists from around the country, along with crafts, food and music, this two-day festival is expected to draw more than 200,000 people to Main Street.
Sounds like a great summer day, right? It’s easy on SEPTA. Main Street is on the Manayunk/Norristown Regional Rail Line. But if connecting to a Rail station isn’t along your weekend route, we have other ways to help you celebrate the arts (and food and music)! SEPTA Bus Routes 9, 27, and 61 will all take you to the action.
Do you have “bus nerves?” Fear not! That can’t stop your appreciation for art on a summer day. And so we’ve put together a step-by-step guide that explains exactly how SEPTA can get you there, and should answer any questions you may have along the way.
Which bus is right for me?
To get to the Manayunk Arts Festival, you have your choice of SEPTA Bus Routes 9, 27 and 61.
The Route 9 covers ground from 4th and Walnut, all the way up to Andorra – and it goes through Manayunk and Roxborough to get there!
The Route 27 travels from Broad and Carpenter to Plymouth Meeting Mall, making stops in Center City before traveling through Manayunk and Roxborough, and onwards to Andorra and then, the Plymouth Meeting Mall.
The Route 61 is another good option if you’re coming from downtown. The 61 starts at 9th and Market Streets and then hooks up with Ridge Ave at Spring Garden Street. It stays on Ridge through Fairmount, Brewerytown, Strawberry Mansion, and East Falls before reaching the Wissahickon Transportation Center and Manayunk.
Where do I find my bus stop?
Since all of these buses have such different routes (that don’t all overlap), please refer to each route’s maps (the maps are linked above). Once you know your starting location, you can pick which bus is closest to you.
On the maps, you’ll notice directional arrows so you can tell in which direction the bus will be going along the route. The bus will stop on mostly every corner along the route – just look for the bus stop sign or bus shelter. If you don’t see one, walk to the next block along the route; you should find one there.
If you’re using our Trip Planner, select your bus, and then head to your closest bus stop listed in the directions.
Once you’ve found your bus stop, open your SEPTA App for Apple iOS or Android, and click on the Transit View. Select the route, and track where your bus is. Transit View updates every 3 minutes. If you tap the option bar in the upper right hand corner, you can view which color buses are heading in which direction.
If you’re already at the bus stop, you can get the next four scheduled trips texted to you by following these directions:
1. Open a new text message and type 'septa' and the STOP ID number (found on the SEPTA Bus Stop sign).
2. Send the text to 41411 3. Receive a return text with the next four scheduled trips
Remember: always board through the front of the bus. You can exit through the rear door if you choose.
How can I pay?
A detailed list of all of your fare options can be found here. If it’s a one-time bus ride, you can buy tokens at certain convenience stores, SEPTA Sales locations and Stations. The cost of a bus ride with a Token is $2.00. Tokens may only be purchased in packs of two or more. If you want to hop on the bus right away before buying tokens, you can pay $2.50 in exact change onboard.
This is a great opportunity to try out your SEPTA Key Card (or get one, if you haven’t yet)! You can find plenty of places to buy a Key Card here. You can add money to your Travel Wallet, which will be the same value as tokens. Then, just tap your Key Card at our red validators on the bus to pay.
If you already have a TransPass loaded onto your Key, you can use it on ALL bus, trolley, subway or Norristown High Speed Line trips, including this one. Just tap your Key on the validator. The same goes for a paper TransPass. If you’re a regular Rail rider, you’re in luck! A paper TrailPass will also allow you to ride on transit
If you’re just doing urban exploring, you can get a One-Day Convenience Pass for $8, and is valid for up to 8 bus rides in a single day (or 8 rides on any SEPTA Transit services).
If you also plan to include any Regional Rail travel in your trip, then the One-Day Independence Pass is for you. It’s only $12, and allows you unlimited one-day travel on all SEPTA services.
Also, if you have a TransPass, TrailPass, One-Day Independence Pass or SEPTA Key, you get SEPTA Pass Perks!
When do I pull the string to request my stop?
This festival is taking place on Penn’s Landing, which is easier for all of the bus-goers. All of these routes will stop their service on Penn’s Landing, so you can just take any of these buses to the end of the their line. Of course, if you still want to give the string a tug, that’s fine too.
Anything we didn’t cover?
If you still have questions, we have a short How-To video for you on our Destinations page. Simply scroll down below the Search Bar, and you’ll find our How-To videos, including How to Ride SEPTA Bus Routes.
…If you still have questions, well, we can help with that too. Our SEPTA Customer Service team is available through Twitter M-F (7a-7p) and on weekends (8a-6p). Tweet any questions at them and they’ll get back to you quickly with answers. If you don’t have Twitter, you can ask your questions with the Chat Now option. You can also reach them by phone at (215) 580-7800.
If your question isn’t urgent, you can email us at [email protected].
To make your travels easier, we recommend you download the SEPTA App. This helps with more than just your bus ride! Our App provides you with schedules, Transit View, Alerts, Pass Perks, and more. And it’s free.
Our buses are a great way to get to all of the corners of our city, so don’t be nervous! Remember, even the most seasoned rider had to once have their first solo-bus-ride, it’s just a matter of doing it.
Oh - street festivals can cause detours. So check System Status or better yet - ask the Operator when you board.
Now you’re equipped with everything you need to know about riding the bus. So go catch your ride!
