Station Accessibility

Accessible stations are identified by a wheelchair symbol next to the station’s name on all web schedules, printed timetables and system maps.

Elevators

The SEPTA system experiences elevator outages, most are corrected within 24 hours. If you encounter a malfunctioning elevator, please report it and ask SEPTA personnel for assistance.

In addition to the System Status and online listing of elevator outages, SEPTA offers several other ways of checking whether an elevator you need is operational, both during and before you travel.

  • Elevator Hotline: Our toll-free, 24-hour elevator status number is 877-SEPTA4U (877-737-8248). This hotline is updated as outages occur, please call this number if an elevator outage is occurring at your station.
  • Customer Service: Call Customer Service at (215) 580-7800 to verify the service status of any elevator.
  • Subway Announcement Board: The announcement board at the subway station cashier booth is updated immediately when changes in elevator status occur.
  • On-Site Signage: Permanent metal signs featuring Braille and raised lettering are located beside the elevator door on each floor. When equipment is removed from service for repair, SEPTA will open and/or close the signs to reflect the current status of the elevator.

If an elevator outage disrupts your trip, seek assistance from the station cashier or the SEPTA Key Customer Service Box to avoid having to pay an additional fare.

Visit Strategies for Finding Alternative Routes for alternative travel possibilities.

Non-SEPTA Elevators

SEPTA does not own or maintain the elevators listed below. As a courtesy to our customers the Customer Service Call Center will contact the owners of non-SEPTA elevators when a problem is reported.

  • City of Philadelphia elevators at 15th & Locust streets
  • AMTRAK 30th Street Station concourse to street elevators
  • AMTRAK North Philadelphia Station elevators
  • NJ Transit Trenton Transit Center elevators
  • DART Wilmington Station elevators
  • Elevators at the Fashion District and Pennsylvania Convention Center
practice platform in the Accessible Travel Center
The Accessible Travel Center’s mock subway platform with a gap, yellow truncated domes, and bridge plate. 

Audible and Visual Announcements

Travel and transit information is audibly and visually announced at major rail and transit stations.

Fare Sales Machines

Sales kiosks are equipped with braille signage and audio instructions.

Emergency Call Boxes

Accessible emergency call boxes on station platforms enable prompt reporting when assistance is needed.

Regional Rail Bridge Plates

In accordance with federal regulations, SEPTA’s accessible stations are designed to minimize the car-to-platform gap. SEPTA also makes bridge plates (portable ramps) available upon request in accessible Regional Rail stations.

Non-accessible stations are not equipped with bridge plates.

If you need to use a bridge plate to board the train:

  • Wait where you can be seen, on the mini-high platform if one is available, or at the center of the platform.
  • When the train arrives, notify the conductor that you need to use the bridge plate to board.
  • The conductor will deploy the bridge plate for you to board. Tell him/her where you plan to get off and they will deploy the bridge plate at that station for you to exit the car.
bridge plate
A typical SEPTA bridge plate, which may be deployed to help with Regional Rail boarding.