CAMDEN >> Making the pilgrimage to see the pope in Philadelphia meant many things to many people, and for those in New Jersey, a pilgrimage was undertaken in the literal sense.
Whether they came by bus, car or after night sleeping on the Battleship New Jersey, many walked miles to be able to see the Pope Francis.
There were several travel options once arriving at the Camden Waterfront.
The Riverlink Ferry was closest but left people with the longest walk on the Philadelphia side. Port Authority Transit Corp. trains brought people to the heart of the city but Chief Executive Officer of the Delaware River Port Authority John Hanson said people should pack their patience for the return trip
Long lines are expected with only one station open in Philadelphia. Then there was the historic closing of the Ben Franklin Bridge, which was a hike in itself from the riverfront but offered people a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” he said.
“We’re taking the speed line in and will walk across the bridge on the way back,” Joe Raver, of Pennsauken, said. “Not many people get to walk across the road part of the bridge.”
After lower than expected numbers on both the trains and the bridge Saturday, Sunday saw those numbers pick up, Hanson said. With 4,400 people riding PATCO Saturday, 6,000 had used it by the same time Sunday, up 40 percent. By noon, he said, about 350 people had already walked across the bridge.
“People seemed to be thrilled to be using the bridge with no traffic,” Hanson said. “Buses are dropping people off and they are taking the bridge. Ridership is up today from yesterday on PATCO and everyone seems to be in a joyous and celebratory mood. I hope that mood carries over to coming home tonight because the lines are going to be long and it’s going to take a little longer.”
Richard Kopp and his family took the train to Philadelphia but would be walking the bridge back. Owen Kopp, 3, said he loves taking the train, so his mother Louisa Kopp, said they would take it over. But with 1-year-old Carmendy and another baby on the way, Louisa Kopp said she didn’t want to deal with the long lines on the return trip.
“We live in New Jersey, so we decided to park here and take the train over but then walk the bridge on the way back to add to the excitement and adventure of the day,” Richard Kopp said.
Parking lots on the Camden Waterfront sat mostly empty. There were more cars in the lots Sunday than Saturday, according to Roy Incognito, who was selling hot dogs along with river. He thought the city of Camden missed a “great opportunity.” With parking fees increased to $60, up from $43 Saturday, he said many people just turned around and left.
“I don’t know if the news scared them away or if the price was too high but this is a shame,” he said. “They should have offered a package deal or something with tickets to the ferry and aquarium. The price is ridiculous, people don’t want to pay all that money to walk so far. It was dead yesterday, I see more people today, but it is nothing like we had expected.”
Those who had turned out seemed to be in a great mood as they made their way to trains, the ferry or the bridge.
“It’s a positive experience and everyone seems to be in a positive and uplifting mood,” Camden County police Captain Al Handy said.
“It’s the opportunity of a lifetime,” Ann Marie Murray, of Cherry Hill, said. “There’s just something about this pope, and everyone is making a real pilgrimage. Everyone seems to love him.”
