The Philly PHLASH returns just in time for high tourism season to transport visitors and locals all around town to key sights and attractions. (Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia)
Shuttling from one fantastic Philadelphia attraction to another just got even quicker, easier and less expensive.
The Philly PHLASH launches its 2014 season tomorrow, Friday, May 9.
Now marking its 20th anniversary year of service, the PHLASH is a key seasonal amenity for visitors and locals, making for a super-quick way to travel from the Historic District all the way to the Benjamin Frankin Parkway and out the Philadelphia Zoo and Please Touch Museum.
And terrific news for 2014, folks. This year, the Philly PHLASH welcomes a brand-new fleet of vehicles, as well as a greatly extended schedule.
The Vehicles
Don’t worry, the PHLASH is still purple. Now in its third year under the management of the Independence Visitor Center and with new transportation funding, the PHLASH received an major upgrade for 2014.
Rather than trolleys, seven purple New Flyer MiDi buses make up the fleet, each featuring seating for up to 32 passengers, environmentally friendly fuel, convenient low floor clearance, air conditioning and ADA-compliant access.
The Route
The bright purple bus is one the best ways to get around to 20 stops key locations in Center City, including Penn's Landing, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Eastern State Penitentiary, the Barnes Foundation and the Philadelphia Zoo.
Starting tomorrow, May 9 and running through Labor Day, the PHLASH will operate daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. After Labor Day, the service will operate only on the weekends, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but will run this year all the way through December 28.
Last year, the PHLASH only ran through Labor Day, so this is a huge step towards providing additional public transportation to Philadelphia.
The pickups run approximately every 15 minutes between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. along the main route. The Philadelphia Zoo and Please Touch Museum transfer loop provides service every 15 minutes departing from the Philadelphia Museum of Art between 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
The Tickets
The trolley is just $2 each time you board, and $5 for an all-day pass. Note that SEPTA pass holders ride for free ,as well as children under 4 and seniors.
Tickets are available for purchase right on any PHLASH vehicle (with exact change only!) or in advance at the Independence Visitor Center, Sister Cities Park Visitor Center, Fairmount Park Welcome Center or the City Hall Visitor Center.
Plus, those who book a deal to stay over in Philadelphia via the Visit Philly Overnight Hotel Package between Memorial Day and Labor Day will score two all-day PHLASH passes for free.
For more information on the Philly PHLASH, check right here.
See the complete route below, then hop-on and hop-off the purple bus to see Philadelphia in a PHLASH!
Philly PHLASH
When: Daily service, Friday, May 9-September 4; Friday-Saturday, September 5-December 28
Where: 20 stops throughout the city
Cost: $2 per ride; $5 per day; free for seniors and children under 4
More info: www.phillyphlash.com 