Metro Philadelphia

Serious crime on SEPTA dropped 21% during the second quarter of 2026 compared with the same period last year, according to new data released by the transit agency.

The report found aggravated assaults were down 40%, while reported crime also declined by double-digit percentages on the Market-Frankford Line, Broad Street Line and SEPTA buses.

SEPTA officials credited the improvements to continued investments in transit policing, fare enforcement and station security. The Transit Police Department now has 220 officers on the force, its highest staffing level in years.

The report follows a busy summer for SEPTA, which transported riders during several major events, including the FIFA World Cup and MLB All-Star Week.

“Transit Police played a critical role in ensuring that more than 155,000 fans who took the B after the six World Cup matches had a safe and positive experience on our system,” said SEPTA General Manager Scott Sauer. “This was the largest security posture in Transit Police history with enhanced foot patrols,  K9 units, and real-time monitoring by our Virtual Patrol to manage the massive crowds at NRG Station,  and it was a huge success.” 

SEPTA also said it’s continuing to crack down on fare evasion and smoking, two of the most common rider complaints.

Enforcement actions for fare evasion increased nearly 19% compared with the second quarter of 2025, while smoking citations rose 27%, according to the report.

The agency is also expanding security upgrades at stations. Earlier this year, SEPTA completed the first phase of installing full-height fare gates at 10 stations. Funding in the agency’s fiscal year 2027 budget will allow the agency to add the gates at 13 more stations.

At the Walnut-Locust Station, SEPTA is testing redesigned turnstiles with plastic gate extensions, plexiglass side panels and updated locking mechanisms intended to make it more difficult for riders to bypass the fare gates.

“Fare payment is not just about revenue — it is about fairness and safety,” said SEPTA Transit Police Chief  Charles Lawson. “When people do not pay, everyone loses. By stepping up enforcement and making  strategic investments, we are working hard to ensure that every rider does their part.”

The full second-quarter 2026 Transit Police crime report is available on SEPTA’s website.

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Keywords

SEPTA,

SEPTA Transit Police,

Philadelphia,

public transit,

crime,

transit safety,

Market-Frankford Line,

Broad Street Line,

fare evasion,

Scott Sauer