Public transportation in the Greater Philadelphia area continues to show positive trends in safety. According to the latest quarterly report from the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), serious crimes dropped by 10% compared to the same period last year, extending a historic reduction that began in 2024.
The report highlights decreases in seven of the eight major crime categories, including aggravated assaults and thefts. SEPTA General Manager Scott A. Sauer noted that this progress is also reflected in riders’ perceptions.
“We’re hearing directly from our riders that they feel safer at our stations and on board our vehicles. Customer satisfaction scores for safety and security have reached their highest levels since 2023,” said Sauer.
The transit authority has also intensified enforcement against fare evasion, issuing more than 6,300 citations so far this year — a 47% increase compared to last year. These efforts have led to the identification of other illegal activities, resulting in more than 700 arrests of wanted individuals.
“Our goal is to change the culture around paying fares,” explained SEPTA Transit Police Chief Charles Lawson, acknowledging that the issue is one faced by transit systems nationwide.
Among recent initiatives, a four-week enforcement operation at Huntingdon Station nearly eliminated fare evasion while officers were present. SEPTA is also expanding the installation of new full-height fare gates, successfully tested at the 69th Street Transit Center, to nine additional stations.
The agency has additionally launched a dedicated Surface Transportation Unit to ensure fare compliance on buses and trolleys, where access is not controlled by fare gates.
With these strategies, SEPTA aims to strengthen passenger safety and confidence while modernizing its infrastructure and promoting a culture of civic responsibility throughout the public transportation system.