Behind the Scenes Bus Tours of Philadelphia

Posted by on September 17, 2004

GET ON THE BUS
Please join city officials on special “behind the scenes” look at the City of Philadelphia. Each tour leaves from the Municipal Services Building, 1401 JFK Boulevard.
Sign up on line at http://www.phila.gov/bustour/.

Keeping Our City Safe: Safe Streets in Action
Thursday, September 23, noon to 2:00 PM
What is being done to keep the citizens of Philadelphia safe? What is the technology behind “Safe Streets”? Become aware of the necessary efforts and tactics taken as we tour the police academy, and training facilities. Get a taste of the life police officers as you are briefed on the latest crime stats during a special COMPSTAT session and see a demonstration from Bomb Disposal Unit. Meet representatives from Operation Town Watch and how citizens and police work together to keep our City safe, and tour a prison faculty.

Revitalizing Our Neighborhoods: A Closer look at the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative (NTI)
Tuesday, September 28, noon to 2:00 PM
Chances are you’ve heard of the Mayor’s Neighborhood Transformation Initiative (NTI), but you may not be sure of all that it encompasses. NTI creates opportunities for government and citizens to work together to recover civic pride and community spirit as well as to rebuild the physical environment. A guiding principle of NTI is to balance longer-term system reform and infrastructure development with quick, visible, early actions and result. During the tour, you will visit areas of the City that have been dramatically changed through a well-thought out planning process and the combined efforts of various City agencies and dedicated citizens. You will learn how every City department (including the public safety and social services departments) plays a significant role in transforming every neighborhood in the City.

The Road Well Traveled: The Street-Fleet Tour
Wednesday, September 29, noon to 2:00 PM
The Streets Department is one of the City departments that touches the lives of every citizen and visitor. They are responsible for trash collection, street maintenance, traffic lights, snow plowing and so much more. During this tour, you learn how the City’s 2,393 miles of streets are repaired and maintained; learn about the planning, equipment and technology that is used to develop snow plowing routes during the winter, and some non-winter months; and learn about the methods used to make sure trash collection is reliable and efficient. You will also learn how block captains work to keep the City clean.

Hidden Treasures of the Fairmount Park System
Thursday, September 30, noon to 2:00 PM
Fairmount Park is so much more that the area around West River and Kelly Drives. The park, which spans the entire City, is a treasure that few have seen. Tour the hidden treasures of the park with Managing Director Phil Goldsmith.