SEPTA needs a ‘Bus Rider Revolution’

The SEPTA Bus Revolution aims to modernize Philadelphia’s aging bus system, which has stagnated for decades. Its goals include increasing ridership, enhancing reliability, improving speed, and expanding service hours. Despite three years of community engagement and planning — including dozens of public hearings, transit talks, open houses, community conversations, and pop-up events — the initiative is now being delayed after a member of City Council requested additional public hearings. While this move incurred costs, there’s hope it will lead to positive changes, rather than mere political posturing.

During the delay, SEPTA is focusing on other system improvements, such as station branding, enhancing wayfinding, and installing new fare gates to combat fare evasion. Yet, these efforts alone cannot fully address Philadelphia’s transit challenges. Fixing SEPTA is not just SEPTA’s responsibility.

What’s needed is a cultural shift among SEPTA riders — a “Bus Rider Revolution” — to restore the social contract that has eroded.

The social contract, as philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau defines it, essentially represents collective will aimed at the common good. In that sense, the SEPTA rider social contract is clearly lacking.

Fare evasion alone costs SEPTA up to $40 million annually, according to recent reports. While federal grants provide much-needed funding, smoking, drug use, littering, and disruptive behaviors persist.

SEPTA has ramped up enforcement and support systems like SCOPE — which stands for safety, cleaning, ownership, partnership, and engagement — a system-wide approach to connect vulnerable individuals with social services and provide a safe, clean transit system for riders and employees.

But without a shared commitment from riders to the social contract, these efforts are limited. Many passengers fear confronting rule-breakers or being seen as interfering, perpetuating a cycle of individualism and dissatisfaction.

To initiate a Bus Rider Revolution, riders must reclaim ownership of the transit system. Recognizing that SEPTA serves diverse needs — from commuting to leisure — we must collectively ensure its safety, cleanliness, and inclusivity. Relying solely on gates and officers isn’t enough; every rider must prioritize the collective experience.

I encourage people to speak up about an incident or disruptive passenger. While it can be daunting to do so, we all have a responsibility to ensure safety and well-being on SEPTA. Options for reporting incidents, such as contacting SEPTA Transit Police, using the “text-a-tip” line (215-234-1911), or utilizing the SEPTA Transit Watch App, are available.

Efforts are in progress to integrate these features into SEPTA’s main app for enhanced convenience. If you don’t have time to report an incident in the moment, make a note or send a message to yourself so that when you do have time, you can share.

Maintaining cleanliness is also essential for fostering a pleasant transit environment. This involves both actively picking up trash and promptly reporting any issues. Riders should responsibly dispose of their personal trash when they leave the bus or train.

Inclusivity is another key aspect, which includes respecting designated seating arrangements, such as Americans with Disabilities Act-designated spots, and willingly yielding to fellow passengers who need them when necessary. Being mindful of actions, like refraining from playing loud music without headphones, contributes to creating a welcoming atmosphere for all commuters.

By fostering a culture where everyone respects the social contract and prioritizes the enjoyment of all passengers, SEPTA’s progress can accelerate.

In the 1990s, SEPTA’s slogan was “We’re Getting There.” Though SEPTA has since distanced itself from that iconic slogan, maybe it should be revisited and refined to embody a journey toward a more cohesive, respectful transit community.

This journey requires active participation from every rider. Because it is not just SEPTA that needs to “get there.” We all need SEPTA. It’s how students get to school so they can grow and learn. It’s how parents and guardians get to work. It’s how visitors experience the Greater Philadelphia area. It’s how communities thrive.

SEPTA is more than just a transportation system; it plays a pivotal role in shaping our daily lives.

While infrastructure upgrades are vital, true transformation hinges on the collective actions of all riders. If we adhere to the social contract and a shared commitment to fostering a positive transit environment, Philadelphia can embark on a new era of public transportation.

Tariem Burroughs is a sociologist who has spent much of his career working at the intersection of public health and community advocacy. He is currently the chair of the SEPTA Citizen Advisory Committee and is a lifelong Philadelphian and SEPTA rider.