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The Inn at the Union League of Philadelphia

All requests for use of SEPTA equipment and/or facilities require advance notice in writing – at least four weeks for commuter trains, subway elevated trains and trolleys; and at least two weeks' notice for buses and stations. SEPTA encourages the use of its system for production purposes. It is experienced in all phases of location pre-production and production.

The following is a listing of SEPTA vehicles and facilities with information and charges as they relate to film productions. The charter of SEPTA property does not grant the right to use that property in a reckless manner. (See Procurement for the lease of surplus property.)

Buses-  A SEPTA bus (40') may be chartered (accessible to handicapped). Rate: (includes one operator) $740.00 for the first 4 hours, $220.00 per hour for each additional hour (or fraction thereof). There will be a cancellation charge of $200.00 for more than 2 hours' notice, $300.00 for less than 3 hours' notice and $400.00 if the bus has already left the garage before being given notice of the cancellation.  Deposit per bus is $300.00

Regional Rail- Complete control of a train is available on some lines Mondays through Saturdays between midnight and 5:00 a.m. and all day Sundays. All other charters will require the continuous movement of the train on the system, operated in accordance with the instructions from an assigned SEPTA supervisor. Use of the Paoli Line and 30th St. Station requires additional permission from Amtrak. Additional personnel will be charged accordingly.

Rail Vehicle Restrictions: Because rail vehicles operate on tracks with other rail vehicles, total control of a chartered rail vehicle is extremely limited. SEPTA usually requires at least two weeks' notice prior to approving scenes involving rail vehicles.

For a 2-car train (includes engineer, conductor, supervisor) $2,640.00 for the first four hours, each additional car is $1,188.00 for the first 3 hours. After the initial 3 hours, each additional hour for a 2-car train is $731.50 and each additional hour (or fraction thereof) for each additional car is charged at a rate of $242.00 per hour or fraction thereof with no mileage charge. Additional personnel required will be charged accordingly.There will be a cancellation charge of $198.00 for more than 72 hours notice and $396.00 for less than 72 hours notice. Deposit per train is $396.00.

Trolleys- Rate: (includes one operator and one supervisor) $638.00 for the first 2 hours, $82.50 for each additional half hour (or fraction thereof). There will be a cancellation charge of $121.00 for more than 12 hours' notice and $242.00 for less than 12 hours' notice. Deposit per trolley is $242.00.

Subways and Elevated Trains- The Broad Street Line runs entirely underground between Fern Rock in North Philadelphia to Pattison Avenue (stadiums) in South Philadelphia. The Market Frankford Line runs between 69th Street Terminal in West Philadelphia to the Frankford Transportation Center (Bridge & Pratt Streets) in Northeast Philadelphia. It is underground in Center City and becomes an elevated train for approximately three miles at the western end and six miles at the eastern end of the line. There is also the Ridge Avenue Spur of the system, where, from Mondays through Saturdays, between 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. and all day Sunday, a production company can control all movement. Very limited control of a train is available on the Market Frankford Line late at night. Chartered subway and elevated trains must be operated according to instructions from an assigned Supervisor.

Subway station scenes, with controlled movement of approximately two city blocks into and out of a station may be done at the Pattison Avenue station, providing there are no events taking place at the stadiums at the time. The Walnut-Locust Station may also be used for mainly stationary shots. Use of other stations subject to SEPTA approval.

Subway Elevated (charter consist)       

High Speed Lines- Chartering for the Route 100 SEPTA High Speed Line, which operates from 69th Street Terminal to Norristown through picturesque countryside suburban settings, is available. Charter rates are same as the trolleys.

Regional Rail Lines- Complete control of a train is available on some lines Mondays through Saturdays between midnight and 5:00 A.M. and all day Sundays. All other charters will require the continuous movement of the train on the system, operated in accordance with instructions from an assigned SEPTA supervisor. Use of the Paoli Line and 30th St. Station requires additional permission from Amtrak. Additional personnel will be charged accordingly.

Rail Vehicle Restrictions- Because rail vehicles operate on tracks with other rail vehicles, total control of a chartered rail vehicle is extremely limited. SEPTA usually requires at least two weeks notice prior to approving scenes involving rail vehicles.

Vehicle Availability- All charters are dependent upon the availability of vehicles.

Facilities- The following facilities are available for film productions: Suburban Station, 150 Regional Rail Line Stations (Paoli Line stations require additional permission from Amtrak), 52 subway stations, 9 bus depots, 3 trolley depots (depots have side yards that may be used for productions)

SEPTA charges a flat fee for access to facilities and a legal agreement may be required. The Authority will specify appropriate insurances and SEPTA personnel required.

Interchanging Other Systems with SEPTA- It is possible to place non SEPTA equipment on SEPTA tracks and vice versa if the systems are compatible and if the track desired is still electrifiable. If the track is still able to be electrified, but not currently electrified, there will be considerable charges for labor required. A request of this sort will require a 30-day notice, additional legal paperwork and a general agreement between the two systems.

Right of way access fee for movement of a non SEPTA train over SEPTA right of way:

First 4 hours is $720.00, and each additional hour is $209.00. There is an electronic propulsion charge per train mile of $3.00. All rates are effective July 1, 2009. There will be a 5% increase to the above rates each July 1 thereafter.

B-Roll- A $500.00 fee is applicable when shooting B-roll.

Location Fees - A $2,000.00 fee is applicable when filming on SEPTA property.

Administrative Fees- SEPTA may charge administrative fees depending on the scope of the film project.

PLEASE NOTE:  The charters and their pertinent rates as described above ONLY apply to Commercial Film and Advertising requests and are not applicable for passenger charters.