SEPTA Recognized for Safety, But Do Students Feel Secure?
SEPTA Recognized for Safety, But Do Students Feel Secure?
By: Yadiel Duran
April 9, 2025
SEPTA was honored in 2024 for their efforts to keep riders safe. However, SEPTA riders in Philadelphia still report seeing things like violence and drug use.
Elementaryschool, Feltonville Intermidiate. Students from this school take the bus to and from their house. This is only one example of the many schools and students that take SEPTA as their method to of transportation to get to school.
In 2024, SEPTA and the Transit Police Department were recognized with the highest honor by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), receiving the Gold award for efforts to improve the safety and security of customers and employees.
However, some riders feel that these changes haven’t made a noticeable difference. Emmanuel Wright, a High School senior who has been riding SEPTA since sixth grade, says he hasn’t seen much improvement in safety.
“No, it’s been relatively the same,” Wright said when asked if he’s noticed any security changes in the past year or two. While he personally feels safe as an older student, he expressed concerns for younger riders. “I don’t think younger people should be riding SEPTA like that,” he added.
Despite SEPTA’s recognition for improving safety, students still feel uneasy while riding. For Thomas Tran, a senior in high school, the experience remains unpredictable.
When asked if he felt safer in the past year, he responded, “Ehm, no, a little bit. But… It’s like people on the bus tend to, like, go crazy or something.”
Although it’s seen as more dangerous for younger students to take SEPTA sometimes it is the only way for younger students to get around.
Tran acknowledged that SEPTA remains a necessary mode of transportation for many students.
“It’s the only way we can get around without a car or someone driving us," Tran said.
SEPTA subway station CECIL B. MOORE- Southbound.
Not all long-time riders agree with the praise SEPTA received in 2024. Leed, who has been using the system since moving to Philadelphia in 2002, believes the recognition doesn’t reflect realiy.
“Disagree,” he said when asked if he thought SEPTA had become safer. “Yeah, lack of reporting, lack of policing, lack of surveillance, lack of auditing.”
SEPTA may be earning praise, but for many students, the system still feels unsafe. As long as they rely on it daily, the question isn’t about awards—it’s about trust.
“We put our lives in danger going on the bus sometimes, but it’s the only way we can get around," Tran said.
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