SEPTA police address fare evasion on bus rides, focusing on community engagement rather than just issuing tickets.

In a recent incident on a SEPTA bus travelling west on Route 21, a woman faced an unexpected disruption while attempting to use her Key Card for fare payment. Upon tapping her card on the fare reader, the device emitted a sound reminiscent of the buzzer from the popular television show Family Feud, signaling a decline due to insufficient balance. The display flashed a red X alongside the message “Declined: low balance — No fare product,” prompting two uniformed Transit Police officers positioned nearby to inform her that she would need to disembark the bus. Despite her initial resistance, the woman complied with their request.

Fare evasion has become a pressing issue for SEPTA, resulting in an estimated annual loss of million. In response, the transit agency has intensified its enforcement strategies, now treating fare evasion as a summary theft offense, which requires violators to appear in court and could result in fines of up to 0. The matter escalated recently when legislative efforts to secure increased state funding for mass transit were hindered by concerns surrounding fare evasion. Opponents argued that funding should not be allocated to an agency perceived as losing revenue due to unpaid fares.

With buses and trolleys making thousands of trips across Philadelphia and its suburbs each day, effectively monitoring fare compliance presents significant challenges. Since spring, SEPTA’s Transit Police have availed a specialized six-person Surface Transportation Unit focused exclusively on fare evasion. Officers are deployed to hotspots identified through operator reports and passenger data, frequently utilizing uniforms to maintain visibility and reinforce the message that fare evasion is unacceptable.

From June 1 to September 26, officers issued 31 summary offense tickets related to fare evasion. According to Transit Police Chief Charles Lawson, deterrence is a crucial component of their strategy. Officers like Nicholas Epps emphasize that simply maintaining a presence can discourage fare evasion, stating that many individuals willingly exit upon noticing enforcement officers on board.

The proactive presence of police officers has been welcomed by bus operators and riders alike, with many passengers expressing a greater sense of security. Operators have faced increasing harassment when requesting fare payment, leading SEPTA to advise against confrontations with evaders. Officers on the fare-evasion detail are committed to communication with operators, fostering a collaborative environment to address challenges faced on the routes.

Many passengers, like Ruby Ladson, have shared their fears surrounding safety on public transit, highlighting a significant rise in disruptive behaviors. The introduction of tools such as the Transit Watch app aims to empower riders by enabling them to report issues discreetly. SEPTA police encourage community members to utilize resources for assistance in maintaining a safer transit environment.

As transit officers continued their patrols, they encountered the previously removed passenger, who arrived on a later Route 21 bus. Upon her return, she reiterated her intention to reload her fare card. Transit Lieutenant Domenic Barone gently reminded her of her responsibility to pay for transit services, reinforcing the notion that sustained operational support necessitates a commitment to fare compliance.