Darion Porter, Patrick Garraud・
Published:
4 minute read
In Philly, 1933: Vocalist Celeste Cole refused to be moved to the back of the bus
Celeste Cole in the Richmond Planet, September 13, 1930 Philadelphia has a long history of people advocating for better and more equitable transit. Unfortunately, many instances of bus discrimination, and the protests they triggered, are rarely known about today. While Rosa Parks’s protest in Montgomery are well documented, there are plenty of examples of similar protests within Philadelphia.
The political climate for Black transit riders in the Northeast during the early 20th century wasn’t incredibly different from the Jim Crow South.
Please take the SEPTA survey and speak out for an integrated, frequent, connected, and accessible SEPTA system.
Recently SEPTA has put out a survey (boo..we know, surveys suck) asking riders to share their opinions and experiences with the Regional Rail system. While we know surveys are pretty much everyone’s least favorite thing, this one could wind up being really important for the future of Regional Rail, and SEPTA in general…so hear us out.
The Philly Transit Riders Union believes that the Regional Rail system is a huge asset to the region, while also recognizing it’s many shortcomings, and would like to suggest some changes that we believe would really help.
In September 2021, SEPTA launched a complete overhaul of their wayfinding system for trolley lines, the subway, and the El: “SEPTA Metro”. This Metro rebranding marks the first time Philadelphia has a single term to refer to its complex urban rail network. It marks a noticeable improvement from the cryptic signage and confusing navigation that currently plagues the system. The decreased reliance on text will make the system more accessible to new immigrants and riders with disabilities.
What’s behind the “operator shortage”? For the past few months, SEPTA riders have been waiting for buses that never arrive. SEPTA officials blame an “operator shortage”; there’s not enough operators to cover the scheduled transit service. Transit agencies have had trouble recruiting operators even before COVID, and now, in the midst of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, all workers have seen how little their employers value their lives. Being a transit operator is a demanding, public facing job with odd hours, which can be dangerous in the United States where decades of public service cuts have left many people angry, hopeless, violent, and out of options.
On Tuesday, June 29th, 2021 members of the Philly Transit Riders Union (TRU) along with other transit organizations embarked on a bus trip from Philadelphia to Harrisburg to rally on the capitol steps and introduce legislators to a public transit funding platform written by transit riders and workers.
The Philly TRU had a moment in the spotlight as it was the only organization from Philadelphia that spoke at the rally about the importance of public transit.
No crowded buses. No service cuts. A seat for every rider.
The Philly Transit Riders Union and supporting groups will hold a “People’s SEPTA Budget” public hearing at the same time as SEPTA’s Operating Budget hearings. SEPTA’s online-only budget hearings are often inaccessible, so we’re holding our own hearings.
On Monday, May 24 at 6pm come to SEPTA HQ at 1234 Market St. to tell everybody what it’s been like riding SEPTA, what should change, and to hear what it’s been like for other riders.
Riders Minutes is a summary of SEPTA Board meetings from a transit riders’ perspective.
Meeting opens with attendance and a pledge of allegiance to the flag.
Board chair Pat Deon announces two new board members: Esteban Vera, Jr. (Democratic House Minority Leader Appointee) and Thomas Jay Ellis (Republican Senate Majority Leader Appointee).
Esteban Vera, Jr. is a business manager of Laborer’s Local #57 in Philly; it’s great to see a Philly labor leader on the SEPTA board. Thomas Jay Ellis served on the SEPTA board previously, first as a Montgomery County appointee from 2001 to 2011 when he resigned in the wake of harassment complaints.
Will the SEPTA Board choose construction projects over more transit service?
During the board meeting on Thursday, February 25, the SEPTA Board will vote on a budget resolution to spend $40 million intended for running buses and trains on planning a controversial rail construction project in Montgomery County which is years away from completion.
At SEPTA there are two piles of money: one for operations and one for capital projects. The operating budget pays for things like salaries of bus operators, while the capital budget pays for the buses they drive or the parking lots that SEPTA builds.
On February 4th, we honor and celebrate the life of Rosa Parks. A civil rights leader and one of the countless Americans who fought for equality, she helped blaze a path of transit activism in Montgomery, Alabama that the Philly TRU is proud to follow.