WHEREAS, SEPTA is an essential part of daily life in Philadelphia, providing transportation to schools, jobs, healthcare, recreation, and community resources; and
WHEREAS, Thousands of young people rely on SEPTA each day, often traveling during concentrated morning and afternoon periods when vehicles, stations, and transfer points can become crowded and difficult to manage; and
WHEREAS, Recent incidents involving young riders and other passengers have demonstrated the continuing need to address violence, conflict, and unsafe conditions on and around the transit system; and
WHEREAS, Young people have experienced these incidents as victims, witnesses, bystanders, and participants, and the circumstances surrounding these events cannot be addressed through enforcement alone; and
WHEREAS, SEPTA has reported significant reductions in serious crime across its system and has implemented safety measures during student travel periods, including increased staffing, crowd management, coordination with law enforcement, and discreet reporting tools; and
WHEREAS, A more comprehensive strategy requires sustained coordination among SEPTA, the City, the School District of Philadelphia, charter and nonpublic schools, community organizations, families, students, and riders; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby authorizes the Committees on Transportation & Public Utilities and Public Safety to hold joint public hearings examining youth safety on and around SEPTA and identifying coordinated strategies to prevent violence, support young people, and protect all riders.
End