hi- as neophytes to mass transit--we are looking for advice for best ways to go from
--the art museum area (near aspen pub) to 8th and sansom. we took the 48 bus which was pretty fast.
--from 8th and market back
we waited for 45minutes fora48bus at 6pm! is that typical? is it better to take MFL to trolley to22nd and catch a 7/48 bus there.
--how about the 7 bus transferring to the 21?
--also,howfast is the 21bus to go from 8thstreet to38th street?
thanks!

45 minutes for the 48 bus at 6pm is indeed a rarity, since I that that bus to get home, and usually wait no more than 5-10 minutes. generally, i would say that catching the 48 on Arch street is the best way to get to 25th and Aspen (the restaurant).

As for figuring out how long trips take, I'd suggest looking at the SEPTA website for schedules. While buses can't always stick to the schedule, based on the time of day, traffic, etc., it'll give you an idea of how long you should have to wait, and how long the trip takes.

Also, use their "Plan My Trip" feature, which allows you to plug in your starting and destination points, and it'll give you the various ways that you can get there, including via bus, subway, and trolley.

Happy travels!

I live up Fairmount a little and go to school at Drexel. I usually ride a bike, but if it's raining or snowing I take the 33 down to 19th and market and catch the trolley there. If you're further down fairmount you could take the 48 I guess to 22 and market and the trolleys from there. And doesn't the 48 go straight to 8th and market? I think it does anyways.

oh,...and also, the 21 bus from 8th to 38th will take about 15 minutes on a normal day. Hit rush hour and the 21 (or the 48, geez, especially the 48) bus is terrible.

I think it's fairly optimistic to think that the 21 can get from 8th to 38th in 15 minutes, even in the lightest of traffic. That's assuming that the bus will be able to travel a block in 30 seconds, including picking up/dropping off passengers. It takes just about that long to drive that distance in an individual car in light traffic (i.e., no other vehicles on the road at all).

Going from 8th to 38th I'd definitely take the El rather than the bus.

The 48 has reasonably frequent service most of the time, at least by Philly standards. 45 minutes is unusual and was probably the result of a breakdown or major blockage of the street. It really is the principle route connecting Fairmount and most of Center City. The 7 and 32 do as well but run much less frequently off-peak.

Bono event detoured the 48.