Threatening Items Prohibited on SEPTA Property

The following items are prohibited on all SEPTA property, including, but not limited to, stations, vehicle stops, trains, buses, subways, and trolleys:

  • Archery equipment (including, but not limited to, bows, arrows, and other supplies)
  • Corrosive or dangerous chemicals or materials (including, but not limited to, tear gas, bleach, radioactive and bacterial materials)
  • Electronic control devices (including, but not limited to, stun guns and TASER guns)
  • Explosive devices (including, but not limited to, fireworks)
  • Combustible materials (including, but not limited to, flammable gases and liquids, car batteries, full or empty fuel cans, full or empty propane tanks, charcoal grills, as well as torches and lanterns)
  • Martial arts and other self-defense items (including, but not limited to, billy clubs, nightsticks, and nunchuks)
  • Sharp objects (including, but not limited to, axes, ice picks, knives, spears, swords, scissors, box cutters, razors, and spikes)
  • Toy or replica firearms of any type
  • Any mask or other article of clothing worn to disguise the wearer’s identity, except in the course of bona fide religious observance or expression
  • Any item that is intended to be, or may be interpreted as, a facsimile or reproduction of any item on this list
  • Any item that, in the exclusive discretion of SEPTA personnel, has or may have a tendency to create a fear of imminent bodily harm on the part of another (which may include, but is not limited to, items such as riot gear, metal helmets, facemasks, and similar items)

Any person found to possess any prohibited item will be asked to leave SEPTA property immediately, or removed by SEPTA police.

Any person who has a prohibited item on SEPTA property may instead turn it over to any SEPTA Transit Police officer, who will arrange for its storage at SEPTA Headquarters, 1234 Market Street, Philadelphia, for up to 30 days, after which point the prohibited item will be destroyed if not retrieved.

Please speak to a SEPTA Transit Police officer if you wish to store any prohibited item with SEPTA. SEPTA retains the right, in its sole discretion and for any reason whatsoever, to refuse to accept any prohibited item for storage.

Repeated violations of the Code of Conduct (PDF) may result in fines and a one-year ban from using the transit system. Those violating a ban order will be arrested and prosecuted for defiant trespass.