Philadelphia’s Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has significantly increased penalties for fare evasion as part of a broader effort to improve safety and regain rider confidence. According to its 2025 mid-year crime report, SEPTA Transit Police issued 4,366 fare evasion citations in the first half of the year—a 74% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
SEPTA Transit Police Chief Chuck Lawson explained that the strategy is built on three pillars: deterrence, enforcement, and education. “When we increase our enforcement of fare evasion, we consistently see lower rates of crime and disorder on the system”.
The agency describes fare evasion as “theft of service,” estimating it costs the system millions each year—funds that could otherwise improve infrastructure, safety, and service. To combat this, fines for fare evasion can reach up to $300.
Among the new measures, SEPTA has also launched a dedicated Surface Transportation Unit to patrol buses and trolleys, and targeted station operations—such as a four-week surge at Huntingdon Station—have shown fare evasion can be nearly eliminated with a visible presence.
Data from the SEPTA Transit Watch App shows a decrease in customer-reported fare evasion incidents, suggesting that deterrent measures are having an impact.
To further reduce fare evasion, SEPTA is installing full-height fare gates—nearly 8 feet tall—equipped with 3D imaging to detect common fare evasion methods and distinguish between adults, children, and objects like wheelchairs or strollers. A 2024 pilot at the 69th Street Transportation Center led to a 20% drop in fare evasion, according to SEPTA’s mid-year report. The system also provides data to support police enforcement, with plans to expand to nine more stations by the end of 2025.
Lawson urged Philadelphians who may have stopped using public transit in recent years to return. “If you haven’t used SEPTA in the last three years, come back and use SEPTA,” he said. “You’re going to see a completely different state of cleanliness, security and safety on the system. The numbers prove that out”.
Read the full article here: https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/septa-transit-police-crime-report/
