Illegally parked vehicles obstructing trolley tracks cause delays, slow service, creates unnecessary dangers to riders and pedestrians, and added stress for operators. It’s not just a minor inconvenience. A single illegally parked vehicle can disrupt service for thousands of riders and create unsafe boarding conditions that force passengers into moving traffic.
Which is why the Philadelphia Parking Authority equipped thirty SEPTA trolleys on the T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, and G with automated enforcement cameras to identify vehicles illegally blocking trolley lanes and stopping zones. A 30-day warning period starts this week with active enforcement and $51 fines beginning on April 1, 2026. Trained PPA enforcement officers will manually review all violations before issuing warnings or $51 citations.
Forward-facing vision technology equipped camera systems from Hayden AI have already been mounted on 152 SEPTA buses to enforce parking violations that obstruct public transit and help improve safety, accessibility, and service reliability.
SEPTA is the first transit agency in the country to use this technology on light rail vehicles.
Legislation authorizing the PPA and SEPTA to operate the automated bus and trolly enforcement camera program was sponsored by Councilman Mark Squilla and was passed unanimously by City Council in October 2023.
Keeping trolley and bus zones clear isn’t just about enforcing parking rules—it’s about keeping Philadelphia moving.