Eagles fans pack the Trenton Transit Center
Yawns, yelps and euphoria saturated Trenton Transit Center yesterday morning as Philadelphia Eagles fans boarded trains to the City of Brotherly Love for a Super Bowl championship celebration that expected an estimated two million attendees.
South Eastern Pennsylvania Transportation Association (SEPTA) provided three trains for celebrants then terminated all service to Philadelphia although Amtrak continued offered transportation options with more expensive prices.
Remarkably, the first SEPTA train delivered the most passengers for the morning commute as hundreds formed a line that stretched from the Track 4 and 5 entry point to an entrance on Walnut Ave.
Trains departing at 6:15 a.m. and 6:55 a.m. were less crowded but fans were just as boisterous and decked out in green colors for a National Football League franchise which claimed it’s first Super Bowl championship and the signature Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Many travelers were from across the Delaware River particularly Yardley, Pa. and Langhorne, Pa. The Hewish family children, Tyler, Samuel, and Maggie, accompanied parents Michelle and Todd from Langhorne. Tyler had a scheduled day off from school while his siblings ditched school for the most memorable day in Philadelphia sports history.
“I went to 30th Street Station in Philadelphia to get our train tickets. I walked right in and got our tickets,” Todd Hewish said.
“This is the culmination. This is the day that tears will flow. We really don’t have a plan for the day, going to play it by ear. It’s just going to really cool to be there, all the people, all the fun.”
The Hewish celebration included a birthday party for Maggie who expected to imbibe one drink, way below the expected count for many adult Eagles fans.
Hannah, Bob and Evan, young adults from Bucks County, missed work. They expected to drink several beers. “And take off tomorrow, too,” Bob joked.
Many Eagles fans wanted to discuss the Eagles quarterback situation, especially after backup Nick Foles guided Philadelphia to the Super Bowl LII championship.
“Wentz,” Evan said. “But we have to keep Foles. Just in case Wentz isn’t ready to go then we still have Foles who proved he can play.”
Some fans needed unique ways to secure transportation and reach their destination.
Adrienne Shaw and J.R. Scott from West Chester, Pa. bought tickets from 30th St. Station then had a friend drop them off at the Trenton Transit Center.
“We’ve waited a long time for this,” Shaw said. Scott sounded more confident, espousing that “every year is supposed to the year.”
Tickets sold out quickly for the three trains to Philadelphia which meant that Trenton residents Mamie Frink, Sherry Johnson and Janel Frink had to resort to Plan B.
“We’re taking the (NJ Transit River Line) Light Rail to Camden and then will have to figure something out after that. Maybe a bus or taxi, whatever. We want to be there. Go Eagles!” Johnson said.
Starr Bus Tours, in Hamilton Twp., sold out more than 35 buses as Philadelphia fans continued a party that started Sunday after the Eagles defeated defending champions New England Patriots, 41-33 in a thriller.
Several E-A-G-L-E-S chants rumbled through the Trenton Transit Center as a sea of green made the morning seem more like St. Patrick’s Day.
The Peterson Family from Connecticut delivered a stunning tribute to Eagles star quarterbacks as Dave Peterson donned a Carson Wentz jersey, his sister Blake wore Donovan McNabb and, brother, Alex, honored Randall Cunningham. The three joined their sister, Riley, and father Randy for a special time.
“I grew up in Cherry Hill (N.J.) but moved to Connecticut in 1983. I saw the Phillies win in 1980 and even though we moved, I never stopped rooting for Philadelphia teams,” Randy Peterson said.
“This is fantastic, especially living in Connecticut with so many Patriots fans. To beat that team, that quarterback and that coach, where we live? Not easy. They all went to school on Monday wearing these jerseys.”
Jeffrey Hughes, Sr., a former Trenton resident now living in Yardley, Pa., rushed into the train station with son, Jeffrey, Jr., daughter, Jordan, and family friend, Arlyn Buondonno.
“We got our ticket for the train yesterday morning. I bought in on line from New York,” Jeff, Sr. said. “We’re going down for the entire day. No doubt. We’re world champs. We’re world champs.”
Phil and Colleen Miller, guided a family of four and family friend, including children Sweden, Evan, Lydia, Justin, and family friend, Ryan. The Yardley group headed out in the first wave of revelers.
Phil Miller showed allegiance to Philadelphia.
“Yes, I did think we would see a Super Bowl championship in my lifetime but with Carson Wentz. Now, I’m a big Nick Foles fan,” Miller said.