Under city code, the PPA may tow only within an area bounded by Spring Garden Street on the north, Bainbridge Street on the south, Delaware Avenue to the east, and 40th Street on the west, and along North Broad Street. Beyond that, the Philadelphia police are the first responders, and that can take time. On a recent morning, SEPTA’s Route 17 bus through South Philadelphia had to be diverted due to a car parked for hours in the street because a tow wasn’t available. One illegally parked car on a trolley or bus route can slow or stop transit vehicles and worsen congestion.