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SEPTA Instant?
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Popularity Score: 5
This app was mentioned in 8 comments, with an average of 3.38 upvotes
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If you are on android, you could try Google Play: Septa Instant which has an alert notification feature on lines you select.
I use it for the bus live view on the lines which is entertaining, but im not sure how useful.
If you plan to use SEPTA (which I do all the time), make sure you get the SEPTA Instant app. As others have said, SEPTA has great coverage, but frequency and timeliness of buses leave something to be desired. This app shows real-time where the buses are.
I use https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.staticfish.septainstant on Android. Pretty bare bones, might be Android only. I find it easier to check multiple routes quickly.
But it's not necessarily better than the septa website, https://realtime.septa.org/
Google maps app is useful too if it's picking up the realtime data for the route you want to take. But it isn't always.
And the realtime data feed from septa is a few (3?) Minutes delayed, so every other service which uses their data (which is all) is going to have that or even further delayed location data. Just mentally project the bus a few blocks ahead of where "realtime" shows.
A bike is very useful in Philly. I use one for most casual trips I take in the city. The city's bike infrastructure has improved considerably recently, but you will still have to ride defensively/offensively. Riding on the sidewalks is illegal even if you see everyone doing it. UCity is a pretty good uphill ride from CenterCity/Grad Hospital, but the Bio Research Building is near the bottom of the hill. There are a number of used bike shops in the city where you can get a beater bike.
If you rely on public transit and have an Android phone, Septa Instant is a must.
Beer:
Lots of awesome beer bars around rittenhouse area, my favorite - Tria Taproom even has an electronic online taplist for draft beer & draft wine, no bottles of any kind, theres also Monk's Cafe nearby which is widely known around the world for awesome beers. Lastly we have an awesome website that collects the taplists from around the city, Philly Tap Finder . Bru Philadelphia for good drafts & sports.
Bus: its pretty reliable, takes tokens or 2.25 cash (no change). Tokens are 1.85 each, min 2. you can buy them at Token Vending Machines or Sales Offices. I use a 3d party android app Septa Instant that has realtime bus locations to decide whether or not its worth taking a bus. Taxis are widely available in center city, Uber & Lyft are widely available everywhere in the city.
I don't know if you can bring cheesesteaks into the game, i'm pretty sure you can't bring outside food & beverages in though. Someone here probably knows better.
It is the very first Google result, but I'm feeling kindly
Live in Philly? SEPTA Instant is for you. Free.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.staticfish.septainstant