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SEPTA Reach

Mission

The mission of SEPTA’s Reach program is to connect vulnerable individuals with resources, services and support and help maintain a welcoming environment for everyone who relies on our system.

Goals

The goals of SEPTA’s Reach program are to:

Connect vulnerable individuals to housing, healthcare, mental health services, recovery support and other community resources.

Foster collaboration among SEPTA, government agencies, nonprofits, healthcare providers and the community.

Address challenges compassionately while maintaining SEPTA’s core responsibility to provide efficient and reliable transportation.

Support long-term solutions that improve outcomes for vulnerable populations and the region as a whole.

The SEPTA Reach program currently contracts with Citizens Acting Together Can Help, Inc. (CATCH, Inc.) for outreach services. Since 1979, this community-based non-profit has been caring for the vulnerable with dignity and compassion, as well as engaging in advocacy.

SEPTA Reach in Practice

Our riding public may see our outreach specialists on the system on weekdays, wearing purple vests with a “SEPTA REACH” name and logo. These field teams patrol stations and vehicles, addressing “hotspots” based upon data and reports received through the SEPTA app help tab, e-lerts and through SEPTA’s customer service center. Team members engage individuals and offer to connect them to services; the individual will have the option to accept or decline information and assistance. If declining, they will be asked to leave the system. Reach specialists may request police assistance for any escalating events that require increased support. 

  1. Identify and Engage. SEPTA Reach field team specialists proactively engage individuals who may be experiencing homelessness, crisis or other vulnerabilities on the transit system.
  2. Build Trust and Assess Needs. Staff use trauma-informed approaches to understand each person’s unique circumstances and needs.
  3. Connect to Services. Reach teams facilitate referrals to housing, healthcare, behavioral health, recovery services, shelters, veterans’ resources and other support networks, and provide transportation to the selected service.
  4. Coordinate Across Partners. Reach works with service providers, government agencies, SEPTA departments and law enforcement when appropriate to support positive outcomes.

Program Details

The SEPTA Reach Program is a division of SEPTA’s Transit Police and is led by SEPTA’s Outreach Program Department. Peer specialists patrol daily to engage vulnerable persons who seek respite on the transit system to offer an opportunity to get connected to services and resources.

The program combines:

  • Outreach and case management
  • Partnerships with social service providers
  • Coordination with SEPTA Police and system personnel
  • Customer and employee reporting tools
  • Community engagement and education

Together, these efforts help create pathways to support while improving conditions across the SEPTA network.

Reach seeks to address vulnerable persons on our transit system with a structured, compassionate approach grounded in established mental health practices.

  1. Rapport Building: Greet and connect with individuals.
  2. Assessment: Ask how they are doing.
  3. Treatment: Inform them of available care and services off the SEPTA system.
  4. Follow-Up: Offer to connect them to specific help and ask them to leave SEPTA property.

SEPTA Reach is not a law enforcement program, nor is it a replacement for social service agencies, healthcare systems or housing providers.

  • Criminalize homelessness, poverty, mental health or addiction.
  • Provide healthcare services.
  • Force individuals into services or treatment.
  • Operate shelters, housing programs or healthcare facilities.
  • Solve conditions faced by vulnerable persons independently.

Collaborating Partners and Supportive Resources

Through its ongoing collaborative work, SEPTA seeks to bring partners and solutions together. These partnerships enable coordinated responses and help connect vulnerable individuals with critical services. We partner with local and state government agencies, homeless services organizations, behavioral health and recovery providers, healthcare institutions and medical professionals, community and faith-based organizations, academic institutions, business and civic organizations, SEPTA Police and frontline employees.

How the Community Can Help

Everyone can contribute to supporting SEPTA Reach’s mission.

  • Report safety concerns, quality-of-life issues, or individuals who may need assistance through the SEPTA App or by contacting SEPTA directly. Reports can be made anonymously on the app.
  • If someone appears to be in crisis, contact SEPTA Police at 215-580-8111.
  • Treat all individuals with dignity and respect. Individuals may possess a legitimate Key card or other fare instrument, just like any other SEPTA rider. Don’t assume that any person riding public transportation did not pay their fare.
  • Be aware of available resources and emergency reporting options.
  • Speak up and advocate for affordable housing, emergency shelters and homelessness prevention programs at neighborhood and public meetings.
  • Report concerns through established channels.
  • Support Reach initiatives and outreach efforts.
  • Help connect individuals with appropriate resources when needed.
  • Collaborate on outreach, service delivery and resource coordination.
  • Share expertise and support innovative solutions.
  • Help create pathways to long-term stability for vulnerable populations.
  • Increase support and funding for low-barrier, transitional, permanent and affordable housing services in the five-county area.

By working together, we can connect people to the support they need while ensuring SEPTA remains a reliable transit system for the region. 

Quick Links

Contact Information

For any questions regarding the Reach program or to get involved, contact [email protected].

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Report Problems using the SEPTA App

SEPTA App

The “Help” tab on the SEPTA App lets you report incidents in seconds. The SEPTA App is available for iOS and Android.

  • Call for emergency services.
  • Report a problem by phone or text.
  • Submit a photo or video of an incident.
  • Be contacted by SEPTA Police to obtain additional information.
  • The Transit Watch App is still available for download and use, but all its functionalities are available in the “Help” tab of the SEPTA App.