This Friday, August 22, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) held a press conference to present its Back-to-School Safety Plan, in response to a 20% service reduction that will begin this Sunday and directly affect more than 50,000 students.

The event featured the participation of SEPTA’s General Manager, Scott Sauer; Transit Police Chief, Charles Lawson; Deputy General Manager, Frank Brandis; and Chief Operating Officer, Chris Valentin.

Back to School with Fewer Buses and More Safety Measures

With the start of the new school year and the implementation of service cuts, SEPTA has developed a comprehensive safety plan to ensure secure and organized transportation, especially during peak student travel times.

Key components of the plan include:

Increased police presence: All available personnel will be deployed throughout the city, especially during critical hours.

Reinforcement during peak times: Officer presence will be doubled at the start and end of the school day.

Intensive patrolling: Focused on key transit hubs such as Frankford, 69th Street, and Olney.

Officers on board: Police officers will be assigned to buses and subway lines with high student ridership.

Real-time monitoring: The Virtual Patrol Unit will oversee security cameras and dispatch officers immediately if necessary.

Interagency coordination: SEPTA is working closely with the School District of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Police Department to address specific safety needs.

Recommendations for Students and Families

During the press conference, SEPTA officials shared several recommendations to help students and families prepare for the new school year:

Allow extra time for daily commutes.

Have an alternate transportation plan.

Use the SEPTA Key card for fare payment.

Stay behind the yellow line on platforms and form lines when necessary.

Don’t hesitate to speak with SEPTA officers — they are trained and available to help.

Additionally, the public was reminded that they can submit concerns or suggestions anonymously through the Transit Watch app.
Spanish-language customer service is available by calling 215-580-7800, or via X (formerly Twitter) at @SEPTASocial.