How to get live transit, bike information

Amid timeless traditions such as Communion wafers, incense, and rosary beads, Philadelphia's papal pilgrims, trying to get around Center City, will get up-to-the-minute transit information via fiber optics and cellphone signals.

by By Jason Laughlin, Inquirer Staff Writer

Published Sep. 25, 2015, 6:26 p.m. ET

The area's transit agencies and a bicycle coalition say they are turning to technology in an unprecedented way to direct crowds to their destinations during Pope Francis' visit this weekend. People will be able to get real-time information about conditions on rail lines, biking trails, and roads in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

The tech tools include such things as interactive digital maps to Twitter accounts dedicated to pope-related transportation information.

"I think it's going to have a tremendous role as far as people getting information, real-time information about what they need in order to access different areas," said Jerri Williams, SEPTA spokeswoman.

SEPTA says it expects its Twitter account, @SEPTA_SOCIAL, with 11,600 followers, to be a resource for travelers, with information on delays, crowds, and reminders about how SEPTA's system has been changed to accommodate the pope's visit.

"As much as we've tried our best to get that information out, someone's going to wake up on Saturday and say, 'What? The Regional Rail station isn't running both ways?' " Williams said.

"Clearly, there's a whole group of what I think are people who are making their way to this area who haven't quite decided what their transportation means will be," said Ronnie Hakim, NJ Transit's executive director.

The New Jersey Department of Transportation launched a pope-specific Twitter account, @511NJ_Papal, to provide updates on NJ Transit conditions over the weekend. It had 661 followers Friday afternoon. NJ Transit has a separate Twitter account, @NJTransit. The agency will post updates this weekend using the hashtag #NJTPapal.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, meanwhile, created a Web page devoted to information about the pope's visit, from an up-to-date road-conditions map to recommended routes for people who want to steer clear of the events featuring the Holy Father.

The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia also has established an online map for the weekend's cyclists, spokesman Randy LoBasso said. While the areas of Center City that bar cars are well marked, LoBasso said, cyclists have told him they are unsure where they can and can't bike. A message the coalition has tried to emphasize is that highways closed to cars also are closed to bikes.

"It will be a very, very bad idea for anyone to try to go down there," said LoBasso of I-76 and I-676. "I don't know what would happen to them, but it would be against the law."

jlaughlin@phillynews.com

215-854-4587@jasmlaughlin