Safety and security is always our first priority but it takes on extra meaning with the start of school.
We are entrusted with transporting more than 50,000 students to middle and high schools across the city. It is a great responsibility and we are honored to have them as our customers.
Service cuts scheduled to begin August 24 will impact students just as they will all of our riders. To minimize impacts to all riders—we focused reductions (where possible) on lower ridership routes and routes that have other transit alternatives. Many of the thirty-two bus routes being eliminated have alternate services nearby although more walking and transfers will likely be necessary.
We encourage students and their families to review the service information we have on SEPTA.org to see how the cuts will impact them and map out travel to-and-from school. You can also use the SEPTA app—available in the App Store or Google Play Store. You can use the SEPTA app to view new schedules effective 8/24 & 8/25 for Bus/Metro and 9/2 for Regional Rail and to plan your future commute. Make sure you download the latest version of the SEPTA app (3.2.6) first.
One thing we cannot stress enough—all riders should allow for extra time.
Buses, trains, and trolleys are going to be crowded with students back and other riders returning from summer vacations and there are likely to be more pass-ups than normal due to vehicles reaching capacity sooner. And with 20% less service—the system is just going to move slower.
We will closely monitor all travel next week. We will look to see where we can make minor adjustments to respond to conditions although we expect travel will continue to be challenging.
SEPTA Transit Police will have an increased officer presence on the system by deploying all available personnel to the field and will work closely with the Philadelphia School District and Philadelphia Police Department to address any specific safety needs. Shifts will overlap at the beginning and end of the school day to double staffing during those peak times and they will intensify patrols in areas where multiple schools converge including Frankford TC, 69th St TC, and Olney TC. They will also assign officers to buses and trains that carry a large student population. And their Virtual Patrol Unit will monitor cameras in real-time and quickly dispatch officers to any potential issues.
SEPTA Transit Police officers will help students navigate the system, remind riders to tap their Student Fare Card and to stay behind the yellow line, and they will queue people if platforms get overcrowded. They are also there to answer questions.
Both the SEPTA Transit Watch app and the SEPTA app give riders the ability to discreetly report safety and security issues to SEPTA Transit Police. You can also contact SEPTA Transit Police with a simple text message to (215) 234-1911.
We’re so excited to welcome students back and we look forward to a great year!