WHEREAS, As of January 2024, SEPTA provided an average of over 644,000 unlinked passenger trips each day across buses, trolleys, subways, and high-speed rail systems, serving as the backbone of Philadelphia’s public transportation network; and
WHEREAS, SEPTA’s nearly 9,500 employees, vehicle operators, mechanics, maintenance staff, cashiers, and custodians, form the human engine powering this vital system, ensuring that Philadelphians can travel to work, school, medical appointments, and homes across the City every single day; and
WHEREAS, Represented by the Transport Workers Union Local 234, which advocates for the rights and well-being of more than 5,000 frontline employees and SMART Local 1594, which represents over 300 workers on our suburban lines, SEPTA’s workforce has a long and proud tradition of organized labor and collective strength; and
WHEREAS, These workers reflect the rich diversity of Philadelphia itself, bringing a wide array of lived experiences, cultural perspectives, and community ties that enable SEPTA to more equitably and effectively serve the people of this City; and
WHEREAS, A career at SEPTA offers more than just a paycheck. These positions provide family-sustaining wages, pathways for advancement, and fair working hours that allow employees to lead full, dignified lives both on and off the job, ensuring a meaningful work-life balance; and
WHEREAS, Without SEPTA workers, more than 750,000 Philadelphians would lose their daily connection to opportunity, community, and care. Public transportation is not a luxury; it is a lifeline-and SEPTA workers are the ones who keep that lifeline alive; and
WHEREAS, On February 14, 2025, SEPTA employees rose to the occasion, transporting an estimated one million people to the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl Victory Parade, an awe-inspiring logistical feat that showcased their skill, professionalism, and critical role in civic life; and
WHEREAS, In the years ahead, SEPTA workers will once again be essential to the success of major global events coming to Philadelphia in 2026, reinforcing their indispensable role in shaping the city’s national and international legacy; and
WHEREAS, Too often overlooked, SEPTA employees deserve public recognition for their dedication, resilience, and daily service-especially in the face of challenging conditions and increasing demands on our transportation infrastructure. They all are essential to life here in Philadelphia, Moving hundreds of thousands of individuals every day opening doors for opportunity to connect with one another and grow community in our City; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby honor SEPTA transit workers, the unsung heroes of Philadelphia, for their essential daily work to transport Philadelphians throughout the city, no matter the conditions.
End