Drexel Wants Discount Bus Stops Moved
By Pat Loeb
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Thousands of people use the Bolt and Megabus stops near 30th Street Station to travel to and from Philadelphia, but Drexel University would like them to come and go from somewhere else, fearing they will discourage the development it has in mind for the area.
The bus stops are spartan -- no infrastructure, just long lines of people waiting to board bargain-priced buses to New York and Washington.
In a statement, Drexel says it fears their presence "will deter entrepreneurs and companies from wanting to locate their businesses" on the surrounding property, which Drexel owns and wants to make an "innovation neighborhood."
Megabus director Bryony Chamberlain can't help feeling a bit bruised:
"We are aware that Drexel college have been looking to redevelop the land and we understand their concerns, but we are also a vital part of the downtown economy in Phildelphia," she said.
Megabus and Bolt each pay $7,500 a year to board there and serve some 4,000 riders a day.
The city believes it's the best location, but has agreed to move the stops whenever there's better surface parking in the same block.
