Attention MFL and Trolley Riders: Effective Thursday, June 1, Temporary Closure of 30th & Market Street Entrance

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Make the Safe Choice

Technology is wonderful – it makes it possible to do work, search the internet, send emails, text, talk on the phone, read books, watch videos, or listen to music while doing other things. Although it makes it possible to pack a lot into a hectic daily schedule, it can also make you a distracted pedestrian, driver, or SEPTA rider.

We’re certain you’ve seen the videos of people talking on a phone and walking right off the edge of the train platform and into the track area. These same distractions can have even graver consequences if you trespass by crossing the tracks at an undesignated crosswalk or walk along the right of way while listening to music through headphones.

When your eyes and ears are focused on other things you can unknowingly place yourself in danger.

Being aware of your surroundings also means using common sense. Don’t ever think you can beat the flashing lights or crossing gate arm at a highway grade crossing. A train moving at a steady speed will not be able to stop in time. Being five minutes late for an appointment while waiting for the train to safely pass is better than being late forever.

We value your personal safety so we offer these handy tips to make it easy to Make the Safe Choice – Be Aware of Your Surroundings, especially when you travel on or near SEPTA bus, trolley, subway, and regional rail service.

Safety Tips for Riding SEPTA

  • Always hold onto your children’s hand when waiting for transit services.
  • Don’t let your children wander. Transit areas are busy places.
  • If you’re standing while you ride, hold on tight to the poles or seat rails.
  • Watch your step closely and make sure you have a firm footing when getting on or off.
  • Read posted emergency evacuation instructions so you’ll know what to do in the event of an emergency.
  • Be alert for instructions from the conductor/operator or authorized personnel.

  • Stay behind the yellow line on the station platform until the train has come to a complete stop.
  • Be alert for express trains. Don’t assume every train is stopping at your station.
  • Let the passengers exit the train before you attempt to board.
  • Always be aware of the gap between the train and the station platform.
  • Move into the car and keep the exits clear for customers getting on and off.
  • Make sure your bags and clothing are clear of closing doors.
  • Don’t lean against the doors.
  • Don’t attempt to open the train doors. Doors are held tightly closed to keep you safe.
  • Don’t hold doors open.
  • Never attempt to board or exit a moving train. Avoid the risk of serious injury: wait for the next train.
  • Don’t pass between the cars when the train is moving. Wait until you arrive and stop at a station.

  • Stay behind the yellow line on the station platform until the train has come to a complete stop.
  • Be alert for express trains. Don’t assume every train is stopping at your station.
  • Always be aware of the gap between the train and the station platform.
  • Move into the car and keep the exits clear for customers getting on and off.
  • Make sure your bags and clothing are clear of closing doors.
  • Don’t lean against the doors.
  • Don’t attempt to open the train doors. Doors are held tightly closed to keep you safe.
  • Don’t hold doors open. There will be another train.
  • Never attempt to board or exit a moving train. Avoid the risk of serious injury.
  • Don’t pass between the cars when the train is moving. Wait until you arrive at a station.

  • Stay behind the yellow line on the station platform until the train has come to a complete stop.
  • Be alert for express trains. Don’t assume every train is stopping at your station.
  • Always be aware of the gap between the train and the station platform.
  • Move into the car and keep the exits clear for customers getting on and off.
  • Don’t lean against the doors.
  • Don’t stand near or distract your operator when the vehicle is moving.
  • Never cross the tracks. Always use the dedicated overpass or underpass to safely cross to the other side of the station.
  • Never trespass by walking along side or in the track area.

  • Always stay on the sidewalk or walkway, especially at loops and transportation centers.
  • Always be aware of the height between the first step on the vehicle and the curb.
  • Never walk out onto the bus driveway or trespass on SEPTA property to take a short cut.
  • Never walk directly in front of or behind a bus or trackless trolley. Maintain a safe distance within sight of the operator.
  • Stay alert around street intersections. Always stop, look and listen before crossing the street for other traffic.
  • Request your stop by using the cord or signal bar inside the vehicle.
  • If you’re not familiar with the route tell the operator which stop you need when you board and then listen for announcements.
  • Don’t stand near or distract your operator while the vehicle is moving.

  • The safest place to wait for the trolley is the sidewalk or the boarding island.
  • Don’t step out in front of an approaching trolley. It may not be picking up customers.
  • Never trespass by walking along side or in the track area.
  • Never cross the tracks. Always use the designated cross walk and look both ways before crossing.
  • A trolley will go through a road crossing when it has the “right-of-way” signal. Always stop and wait until it passes.
  • Never walk directly in front of or behind a trolley. Maintain a safe distance within sight of the operator.
  • Stay alert around street intersections. Always stop, look and listen before crossing the street for other traffic.
  • Don’t stand near or distract your operator while the vehicle is moving.

Safety Tips for Driving or Walking Near SEPTA Rail

  • Stop as soon as possible when you see and hear activated flashers, bells, and gates. The train has the right of way.
  • Never, never, stop on a crossing, especially if you’re in a line of traffic, even if no trains are in sight.
  • Never travel into a crossing until the flashing lights go out completely. There may be a second train coming from the opposite direction that will re-activate the gates.
  • Never assume that trains don’t run here anymore … they do regardless of what you think.
  • Never assume the train is going to slow down or stop because there is a rail station next to the crossing.
  • Trains approaching a highway grade crossing are traveling at their normal speeds because they’re not stopping.
  • Don’t attempt to beat the train to the crossing. The train always wins.

  • Walking along the track right of way or crossing the tracks is trespassing. It could prove to be a fatal mistake.
  • Approaching trains and trolleys can be very quiet, especially when there is snow on the ground or the weather is damp.
  • Approaching trains and trolleys can seem to appear suddenly if you’re listening to music with a headset or ear buds, or when you’re talking on a cell phone and not paying attention to your surroundings.
  • A moving train or trolley can’t steer out of the way of an object or person, and it takes much more effort to slow or stop than a car.
  • A train or trolley that you think is far enough away to give you time to illegally cross the tracks can reach you. it’s just not worth the risk.