If a lack of knowledge of Philadelphia's transportation system is holding you back from seeing the city, HopStop.com may have the answer for you.
This "urban navigation" Web site helps carless commuters by providing step-by-step instructions for getting from point to point via public transportation and walking.
"The idea for the Web site came from personal need," said site founder Chinedu Echeruo. "I had lived in New York City for a few years and thought there had to be a solution to the problem of getting from point A to point B."
Though the Web site currently works only in New York, Boston and Washington, Echeruo promised that services for Philadelphia will be launched by the end of the year.
He hopes that HopStop will encourage more Philadelphia residents to start using public transportation, especially with the launch of new services on the Web site, such as on-the-go text-message access to the site.
"Even if you want to use mass transit, it is a very intimidating process," Echeruo said. "HopStop helps to reduce uncertainty."
Although SEPTA already has a similar "Trip Planner" system in place on its Web site, HopStop hopes to be a quicker, easier resource.
The company hopes to offer a system with more advanced features, including recognition of prominent locations and the provision of alternate routes.
Engineering sophomore Joseph Frey, who used HopStop on a visit to New York City, said that it is convenient and easy to use.
"It was very effective, simple and easy to grasp," he said. "It got me where I needed to go."
The launch of Philadelphia services on the Web site will be welcomed by many Penn students who currently find SEPTA confusing.
"Students don't know enough about where the trolleys are going" said Engineering professor and trans- portation expert Vukan Vuchic. "They use SEPTA, but not enough."
Many students feel that they would definitely make better use of the public transportation system if HopStop were available to them.
"If I had exact directions, then I would try to venture out into the city more," Wharton and Engineering sophomore Sri Harsha Jujjavarapu said.
However, even the launch of HopStop in Philadelphia will not completely eradicate the issue of low public transportation use. Some students say that they avoid buses and subways for other reasons.
"Sometimes, SEPTA isn't very convenient. Buses don't come as often as you would like," Wharton sophomore and Philadelphia native Zhao Kuang said.
