SEPTA Preps For Busy PGA Championship Week: What Passengers Should Know

Next week's PGA Championship is arguably a precursor for a summer or large sporting events and gatherings in Philadelphia this summer. SEPTA is preparing for extra travelers as a result.

SEPTA will add trains to the Paoli/Thorndale Regional Rail Line next week for the PGA Championship in Newtown Square. They've also made it easier to pay the fares of multiple riders at once.

The Championship is expected to draw more than 200,000 people to Aronimink Golf Club. Practice rounds take place Monday through Wednesday, followed by tournament play Thursday through Sunday. Related: PGA Championship Road Closures, Transit, Parking In Newtown

Extra Trains

Next week, the Paoli-Thorndale Line will have five extra trains on weekdays running every 30 minutes and nine extra trains on weekends running hourly.

Shuttle Buses

For fans riding to the Championship, the PGA will operate shuttle buses between Paoli Station and the course. You must present a PGA Championship ticket to board.

Parking at Paoli Station is reserved for Regional Rail users. Parking there for the shuttle is strictly prohibited, SEPTA says.

New Multi-Rider Payment Feature

On Friday, SEPTA launched a new feature allowing contactless payment for the fares of up to five riders at once. That means travelers can tap their credit/debit card or mobile wallet at a validator to pay for multiple tickets.

Previously, the feature was only available with SEPTA Key cards.

The launch comes as the Philadelphia area prepares to host several large-scale events, including the World Cup, MLB All-Star Game and USA 250 celebrations.

"Rolling out this technology is another way we are making SEPTA easier to navigate for both first-time visitors and regular riders," SEPTA General Manager Scott A. Sauer said in a statement. "With the influx of people expected to flood the system this summer, the multi-rider feature will make travel more efficient and seamless for groups heading to the sports complex and other destinations across the city and region."

For more information about using SEPTA during PGA events, visit SEPTA's PGA webpage.