City Miraculously Survives Large Concert, Still Has History

Phillyist admits we were a little nervous when our out-of-towner loved ones expressed an interest in seeing the Center City sites on the same day the city was hosting an event of epic proportions. Travel, we assured them, would be a nightmare; they couldn't drive, which left SEPTA, and the Blue Line can be a challenge on the best of days. Having spent the morning witnessing concert-goers continually erupt from the 15th Street station as though it were an overactive anthill, we were delightfully surprised when our party (complete with infant in tow) emerged from the 5th street station at 11:30 AM, having suffered no discomfort, incident, or train delays; and having even procured seats. Even leaving the city during the 5PM exodus proved no problem. In fact, if the change machines at the Frankford Transportation Center hadn't given out coin change only despite the fact their token machines only accept dollar bills, it would have been a painless public transit travel day.

Both the city and SEPTA handled the Live 8 logistics admirably...which is a problem. If we can't complain about SEPTA and the Street administration, what can we talk to our neighbors about?

Photo: S. Foster