SEPTA Shopping Zone Campaign Aids West Philadelphia Merchants

July 7, 2006

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTA has created a special “Shopping Zone” promotion to encourage patronage of West Philadelphia businesses affected by the Market Street Elevated Reconstruction Project (MSE).

The summertime campaign includes car cards located on SEPTA vehicles, billboards, newspaper ads, and banners that are intended to stimulate business in the area of construction.

SEPTA will also be at various events in West Philadelphia throughout the summer to distribute special shopping coupons. The coupons have a $5 value and may be used to purchase goods at participating West Philadelphia businesses.

Merchants are currently displaying shopping zone decals in their store windows to indicate to shoppers their participation in SEPTA’s Shopping Zone program.

About 80 businesses located in the 52nd Street Business Corridor and the 60th Street Business Corridor are participants in the program. The MSE project web site, located at www.theelseptaatwork.com, lists the names and addresses of each business participating in the Shopping Zone campaign.

This campaign is part of a continuing series of outreach programs SEPTA has conducted to assist merchants located in the area of construction between 46th & Market Streets in Philadelphia and Millbourne Station in Delaware County. SEPTA has also held free monthly business workshops for West Philadelphia’s small business owners.

The MSE project is a major rehabilitation and modernization overhaul of the El, which opened in 1907. The project includes a streamlined, single-beam support structure, six new customer-friendly stations and art inspired architectural features that will improve the overall riding experience for passengers.

SEPTA’s Community Information Center is open six days a week and is located at 5344 Chestnut Street to provide passengers, residents, and businesses with information regarding the project. The Community Information Center is also accessible by telephone at 215-748-5700.

Information on all SEPTA service is available online or by telephone at 215-580-7800.