Mayor, Organizers Dispute Predictions About Number Of Bus Fleets Expected For Papal Visit
By Steve Tawa
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Today is the deadline for outside bus companies to register in order to bring folks into Philadelphia for the Pope's visit, and there remains a wide gap in predictions. Event organizers are responding to what they claim are "inflated" numbers being tossed around.
Commercial charter buses and privately owned buses are gearing up to carry a ton of pilgrims along the Northeast Corridor. That includes RVs, passenger vans, motor coaches, school and mini buses.
In recent days, some New Jersey officials estimated as many as 10,000 buses would be coming, but Mayor Michael Nutter and Donna Farrell of the World Meeting of Families believe that's an exaggeration.
"I have no idea where that number came from," said Mayor Nutter.
"We always thought the number would be in several thousand buses. We'll get you the numbers. I don't yet know what it is," said Farrell.
Farrell says there have been inflated numbers in a variety of circumstances.
"As the mayor has said repeatedly, this isn't something that someone RSVPs to."
The duo, part of the so-called "Francis Festival Street Team," also announced an "I'll Be There" campaign to help businesses stay open and drive revenue to their storefronts during the Pope Francis visit.
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