Here’s a day-by-day breakdown of #popeinphilly changes

By now it’s all a whirlwind. When do I need a special ticket to ride SEPTA again? When do I have to get my car off the street? What days will my garbage be collected?

Here’s a day-by-day breakdown of how things will be playing out. Be sure to check out our Pope in Philly FAQs, too. 

Sunday, Sept. 20

The city will begin towing cars in the “secure perimeter” and “secure vehicle perimeter” at 6 p.m. on a schedule through Wednesday to accommodate construction of those two zones for the papal visit. 

Here’s a map that shows how the towing schedule breaks down. 

The Navy Hospital lot at 1600 Pattison Ave. is offering 1,500 free parking spots.

Another option is to buy a “no-tow” permit in advance from the Philadelphia Parking Authority. For $20, affected residents will get a placard for their windshields allowing them to park within the secure perimeters that exempts them from having their cars towed. The placard also guarantees them one of 2,000 spots in six garages:

Gateway Parking Garage – 16th and Vine streets
Family Courthouse Garage – 15th and Arch streets
Old City AutoPark – Second and Sansom streets
Jefferson AutoPark – 10th and Ludlow streets
The Gallery Mall AutoPark – Ninth and Filbert streets
Chestnut Street Surface Lot – Eighth and Chestnut streets

Garage parking with a PPA placard will begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday.

Monday, Sept. 21

Towing continues per the map. 

Tuesday, Sept. 22

Towing continues per the map.

Wednesday, Sept. 23

The Philadelphia School District closes through Friday. Municipal courts close through Monday.

Thursday, Sept. 24

All nonessential city services and offices close through Monday.

At 6 p.m., 15 Indego bike share stations close through Sunday. Other locations will remain open for use by Philadelphians and visitors. Certain stations will be staffed by Indego employees to answer questions and help with service. 

At 10 p.m., the secure vehicle perimeter and secure perimeter for pedestrians go into effect west of 12th Street. 

At 10 p.m., the following SEPTA stations will close: 

Suburban Station (Regional Rail)
15th Street (MFL and Trolley)
Fifth Street (MFL)
City Hall (BSL)

Thursday evening service will not be affected, but commuters will not be able to board or exit from those stations, including the Transit Entrance at Dilworth Park.

Friday, Sept. 25

No trash collection.

The above-listed SEPTA stations will remain closed.

Regular weekday service continues on the Broad Street and Market Frankford lines.

Late-night train service on Market Frankford and Broad Street lines, MFO/BSO Owl Bus service, and Owl Service on the trolley routes will not operate

Regional rail operates on a special Saturday schedule with the following changes.

Service on regional rail will begin at 6 a.m. except for the Airport Line
No service to/from Suburban Station
Limited Wilmington/Newark service to Newark and Churchmans Crossing
Limited Cynwyd Line service will operate with trains going to Jefferson Station

At 6 p.m., additional bus detours and route alterations begin as perimeters in Center City are established for the Francis Festival Grounds.

At 6 p.m.,  the Francis Festival Zone traffic restrictions and road closures go into effect in Center City and areas east of the Schuylkill. If  you drive your car outside the perimeter after this time, you won’t be able to drive back in until Monday morning.

At 10 p.m., the Francis Festival Zone traffic restrictions and road closures go into effect in University City. If you drive your car outside of University City after this time, you won’t be able to drive back in until Monday morning. 

At 10 p.m., bus detours for routes operating in West Philadelphia between 29th and 38th streets go into effect.

At 10 p.m., the following highways will close:

I-76 eastbound from I-476 to I-95
I-76 westbound from I-95 to US-1
I-676 both directions from I-76 to I-95
US-1 both directions from US Route 30 to Belmont Avenue
The Benjamin Franklin Bridge (emergency vehicles and pedestrians will be allowed to cross)

I-95 will remain open with select ramps closed. 

Saturday, Sept. 26

Anyone using Regional Rail must have a special pre-purchased SEPTA pass for the papal weekend that designates specific times and stations for travelling in and out of the city. 

At 2 a.m., taxis will no longer operate within the Francis Festival Zone

At 6 a.m., security and metal detectors open at entrances around the secure perimeter.

At 6 p.m., the secure perimeter around Independence Mall disbands.  

Sunday, Sept. 27

Anyone using Regional Rail must have a special pre-purchased SEPTA pass for the papal weekend that designates specific times and stations for travelling in and out of the city. 

At 6 a.m., security and metal detectors open at entrances around the secure perimeter for the papal Mass.  

Monday, Sept. 28

No trash collection.

At 3 a.m., taxis will begin operating again within the zone.

At noon, the Benjamin Franklin Bridge reopens to traffic in and out of the city. 

The time for dissolving the secure vehicle perimeter has not yet been announced. 

For more details check out our Pope in Philly FAQs.