Introduction

SEPTA Historic Bus Route 76, nicknamed the “Ben Frankline”, operated from Penn’s Landing to Philadelphia Zoo. Operations of this route 76 was provided by Callowhill (District 9) Depot. This service was discontinued December 2nd 2001 and replaced with the Center City Shopping Spree service, which itself was discontinued in April 2003.

An older route 76 operated between Darby and Marcus Hook as a converted streetcar line. This was merged into current route 113 on November 28th 1983.

If you were looking for the modern route 76 service through Juniata Park and Columbus Boulevard, click here.

Back to SEPTA City Transit Division
Table Of Contents
  1. Introduction
  2. SEPTA Historic Route 76 Routing
  3. SEPTA Route 76 Ben Frankline History
  4. SEPTA Route 76 Darby to Marcus Hook History
  5. Timetables
  6. Audio Announcements

Please Donate!
If everyone reading this could donate just one dollar today, we could afford to have Virtual Transit Center on the web for up to 6 years without interruption. For those who enjoy Virtual Transit Center and the services we provide, please consider donating.

Paypal Donate

SEPTA Historic Route 76 Routing

SEPTA’s route 76 Ben Frankline service operated between Penn’s Landing and Philadelphia Zoo via Market Street and the Ben Franklin Parkway. It had a diversion from the Parkway to serve the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Route 76 was part of SEPTA’s Visitor Route Network, but was the only one using specially branded buses, stops, and timetables. For a while, the fare was only 50 cents on the line (compared to the $1.50 base fare at the time).

SEPTA Route 76 "Ben Frankline" Map
SEPTA Route 76 “Ben Frankline” Map

SEPTA Route 76 Ben Frankline History

This version of SEPTA route 76 originally started as just a number replacement for the Mid-City loop service beginning June 17th 1985. Although the Mid-City Loop itself operated since 1957. This route operated via the Chestnut Street Transitway in both directions from 19th Street to 5th-Market. This service operated every 5 minutes on weekdays and every 10 on Saturdays, with no Sunday service.

On March 31st 1990, SEPTA would turn the route 76 into what was known as the “Ben Frankline.” This line would be given that name because it operated via the Ben Franklin Parkway. It would begin operating between 3rd & Chestnut Streets and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

When it was created, SEPTA also started the “Visitor Route Network” which consisted of six bus routes, five trolley routes, and three rail routes routes. All of which serve attractions in Philadelphia. These routes would be identified with a flag icon on their timetable covers or on bus stops. Some of these routes would also be given special names to go with it (some of which stuck, and some of which didn’t). These lines include….

SEPTA "Ben Frankliner" 1989 Neoplan AN440 3443 on Route 121
SEPTA “Ben Frankliner” 1989 Neoplan AN440 3443 on Route 121, from Philadelphia Transit Vehicles

For this route, SEPTA would specially configure 10 Neoplan AN440 buses with specialized signs, liveries, and interiors, numbered 3440-3449, known by fans as “the Ben Frankliners.” These buses, unlike the rest of the Neoplan AN440 fleet, were easily identifiable by their specialized front Luminator Super Matrix MAX signs with the separate flip dot route designator display.

The route originally operated between 3rd and Chestnut Street, where the Philadelphia Visitor’s Center was, to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. On September 13th 1992, service was extended via Poplar Drive to the Philadelphia Zoo, and made limited stops along the route. This was also when the fare on route 76 was decreased to 50 cents.

Starting May 16th 1993, the local/all stops service on route 76 would be restored.

Service on route 76 would ultimately be discontinued on December 2nd 2001, and reorganized into the Center City Shopping Spree service.

Route 82 ColumBus Service Map, Collection of Doug Diehl
Route 82 ColumBus Service Map, Collection of Doug Diehl

ColumBus Route 82

On August 7th 1992, SEPTA would create a route 82 with the service being called the “ColumBus” for the Visitor Route Network. This line operated between in a circle starting at Front & Spring Garden Street, going to 19th Street & John F. Kennedy Boulevard via Columbus Boulevard, Dock Street, 3rd Street, and Market Street/JFK Boulevard westbound, and then back east to Front & Spring Garden Streets via Market Street, 6th Street, Chestnut Street, 2nd Street, Penn’s Landing and Columbus Boulevard. This service would be discontinued by the next schedule change.

This was essentially a re-creation of the Mid-City Loop service, and ran every 15 minutes between 9am and 10pm.

Center City Shopping Spree

On December 3rd 2001, the Center City Shopping Spree would replace route 76. This service would operate a circulator service starting at the Independence Visitors Center, operating via Market Street eastbound and Walnut Street Westbound, and between 6th Street and 20th Street. Operating every 15 minutes between 10am and 5:30pm daily. Buses on this route would use specially wrapped New Flyer D40LF buses with a Green “Spree” wrap. This service would ultimately be discontinued in April 2003.

Center City Shopping Spree Map, July 2002
Center City Shopping Spree Map, July 2002

SEPTA Route 76 Darby to Marcus Hook History

Route 76 was originally a PTC streetcar line between Marcus Hook and Darby. This service was converted into bus service quite a while ago. This route was taken over by the Red Arrow Lines on January 20th 1961. Service along this version of route 76 would be discontinued and merged into SEPTA Route 113 on November 28th 1983.

Timetables

Below are historic timetables of Mid City Loop, Route 76 “Ben Frankline” service, and the Center City Shopping Spree. These are all old or outdated as the service was discontinued in 2002. If you were looking for the route 76 via Whitaker Avenue and Columbus Boulevard, Click here.

Audio Announcements

Coming soon…