SEPTA Board Approves New Program to Promote Safety on the System
February 24, 2022
Today SEPTA’s Board approved a new program that will add “Guides” to serve as ambassadors on the system.
“We are committed to ensuring the safety of our riders and employees,” said SEPTA Board President Pasquale T. Deon Sr. “The Guides will act as additional eyes and ears on SEPTA.”
Up to 88 Guides will be assigned to stations and vehicles along the Broad Street and Market-Frankford Lines, as well as the concourses in Center City.
SEPTA will provide specialized training for the Guides to ensure they are equipped with the necessary resources to best serve riders.
The Guides will remind customers about the rules for riding, assist destination-less riders, and contact police when needed. They will also eventually take over the responsibilities of opening and closing the subway stations, which will allow police officers to conduct more patrols during the overnight hours. Other tasks include:
- Educate riders about the requirement to pay their fare, extinguish lit cigarettes, and wear masks (while the TSA mandate is in place)
- Report persons who refuse to pay their fare or cease any other criminal behavior when advised to do so by the Guide
- Contact riders arriving on trains at Fern Rock, NRG, Frankford Transportation Center and 69th Street to advise them that they must leave the train upon arrival at the end of line location
- Report any conditions that affect the cleanliness and safety of the station 8) Keep a watchful eye on riders to identify anyone that may need medical assistance
- Assist the Transit Police in identifying vulnerable persons who may wish to be connected with social services
Failure on the part of the person to adhere to the Guide’s instructions will result in a request for Transit Police. The Guides are not expected to take any law enforcement action. If the need for police arises, the Transit Police will be contacted, and officers will be dispatched to address the issue.
“While the Guides will not replace police officers or serve an enforcement role, they will act as a force multiplier and contribute to the overall security of the system,” said SEPTA Transit Police Chief Thomas J. Nestel III. “Meanwhile, we continue to actively recruit qualified officers to boost our ranks.”
The Board awarded contracts to three firms – Extrity, LLC; Scotlandyard Security Services, Inc.; and The Philadelphia Protection Unit, LLC. The services are for one year, with SEPTA options for two additional years. These contracts will replace the current security guard arrangement with Allied Universal.
“We greatly appreciate the Board’s support for the Guide Program,” said SEPTA General Manager and CEO Leslie S. Richards. “It is our hope that this new approach will help reduce quality-of-life complaints and make our system more welcoming to riders.”
The Guides are part of SEPTA’s SCOPE (Safety, Cleaning, Ownership, Partnerships and Engagement) initiative, which was launched last year to help with outreach to members of the vulnerable population who seek refuge on the system. Last September, the SEPTA Board approved adding more than 50 social workers to expand SCOPE. Social outreach specialists also patrol with SEPTA Transit Police officers.
