Authorizing Council's Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities to hold hearings on the safety of the Philadelphia subways, elevated trains, buses and commuter rail lines and the measures that SEPTA, the City, the Department of Public Property and the Police are is taking to protect all riders on the public transportation system.

WHEREAS, Three recent attacks have occurred on commuters, one resulting in a homicide, on SEPTA underground platforms, concourses or trains; and

WHEREAS, Two of these attacks were committed by youth of school age for no apparent reason; and

WHEREAS, Mass transit is relied upon by the City's 50,000 public school students, commuters, and the many residents who do not drive or who do not own cars, and is vital for the economic viability of many of the City's businesses; and

WHEREAS, Three serious attacks in a period of ten days is indicative of a possible larger problem which if not rectified will cause loss of ridership, an increased use of cars and the additional traffic congestion and pollution that is caused by such an increase; and

WHEREAS, The safety of the riders on our public transportation system, whether they are students, commuters, residents or visitors, is critical to the well being and viability of our City, now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby authorizes its Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities on the safety of the Philadelphia subways, elevated trains, buses and commuter rail lines and the measures that SEPTA, the City, the Department of Public Property and the Police are taking to protect all riders on the public transportation system.

End