Delaware County Officials Announce Transportation And Safety Plan For Papal Visit
By Jim Melwert
MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP, Pa. (CBS) -- Delaware County officials met with representatives from PennDOT, State Police, SEPTA, and other organizations Wednesday as the county announces its safety plan for the weekend of the papal visit.
The plan includes details for first aid stations, drinking water, lighting, message boards, communications, and a request of more than 200 members of the National Guard.
Delaware County Council chairman Mario Civera says, based on mass transit sales, the number of people who will make the trek into Philadelphia appears to be about 25-percent lower than anticipated.
"Whether the organizations have overestimated or underestimated, we are prepared," he says.
Part of the plan is to get people in and out of eleven mass transit stops in the county, two of them in Springfield Township.
"Going by car is probably the worst option you can possibly take," says Police Chief Joe Daly.
His message is now is the time to come up with a plan to get to and from transit stations, and don't expect to be able to park.
"If you're going to come looking for spots, you're probably going to be some great distance away from any available parking," Daly says. It's going to get eaten up fast."