Despite having left Philly 14 months ago, I believe I can give a good insight about depending on the Orange Line. When I was 18 I quit driving after some really dangerous incidents that evolved from a concentration problem that I have. Simply stated, I can blank out for 5 to 10 seconds when driving. It has been 17 years and I have relied on public transportation ever since. I took the Broad Street subway to work the entire time I was in Philly. Working both the nigth and graveyard shifts I was underground alot at night. I not only found the Orange Line reliable but by taking precautions I never felt endangered.

* Wait on the top platform by the teller until your train is approaching.

* When your train is coming, walk to the top of the lower platform and sit as close to the conductor's booth as you can.

* When walking to the street use the stairwell that is least "criminal friendly", even if that stairwell is not closest to your destination.

As you would move to 13th and Passyunk you would be fortunate because the stairwell on the NE corner of the Snyder Avenue stop is easily the safest. I bought a gun when I was 19 and I can say that I never carried it on the subway because of the subway. If I ever was packing it was because of where I was going not because of how I was getting there.

I think you will find the Orange Line a very safe and reliable method of transportation and I believe that you will find the meat-lockeresque air conditioning on the train a wonderful treat during the middle of summer.

Again I state if you can deal with noise, 13th and Passyunk is a wonderful place to rent.

__________________
What's a newbold?

I use the BSL to go to work everyday. I catch the SSL at city hall and hop off at 22nd st. 20 minutes door to door. Seems to be very reliable, although it seems the green line is less reliable than the BSL. I may switch to using the MFL instead. I haven't had any concerns for safety but I use it mostly for rush hours service so there are plenty of people down there. On off peak I guess you could go with the tips salsa just gave.

The area is very walker friendly. The acme at 11th and dickenson? SUCKS! I use the store across the street. It doesn't have everything but most stuff you'll need. Just about everything else you'll need is with in walking distance.

What is wrong with the Acme at 11th and Dickinson?

I go there. It is convenient and has pretty much everything you would need.

-UC

RPM,

This aftenoon would be a goodtime to check the 13th and Passyunk area.

Today is their Passyunk Ave Business district's Spring Fling: food and music (I think some Mummers will be mumming). We are heading up, it should be fun.

-UC

Nothing is wrong with it, if you don't mind waiting in a line for 45 minutes to check out.

I shop there often. Never had a problem.

You come over from spring garden and shoop at acme?

I spend a lot of time near 12&Tasker. Since any affordable supemarket is a car ride away, shopping at the ac-a-me makes sense.

Is there any word about this store closing and being sold for development? I haven't gone in for months. There isn't any word at the pass. sq ca. Maybe it was a rumor after all.

I'm not a fan of the Acme either, but at the same time, I'm gad it exists. It's just been so poorly managed lately. Things like expired dairy products still in the case, not enough cashiers, surly cashiers cause there aren't enough of them. Every now and then, I can walk in, get what I need, and have no trouble at the check-out, but this just seems rare.

The rumors of it closing have died down. Like I said, I'm glad it's there. It's one of the few supermarkets to which one can walk, but it can be so much better.