Philadelphia, Pennsylvnia — Follow First Class Track Inspector Anthony Stumpo on a typical day underground: inspecting, repairing and keeping everyone riding SEPTA’s rapid transit line safe and where they need to go.<\/p>\n
He explains, “With track inspection, you’re in the weather; you’re in the tunnel: heat, cold, rain, sleet, shine, whatever. We’re out there. And we have to be!”<\/p>\n
Anthony hails from West Deptford, New Jersey. He is one of 54 track inspectors in Philadelphia’s SEPTA, the regional transit authority for Philadelphia and its surrounding counties.<\/p>\n
The authority is responsible for keeping its 800,000 daily riders safe and moving.<\/p>\n
It’s an important and physical job.<\/p>\n
“It takes its toll. It’s a demanding job. We’re walking six, seven miles a day. And nothing is light. Especially when we do come across some emergencies.”<\/p>\n
His day usually involves a safety meeting with his crew. Then they head out. The crew today is inspecting the tracks along the 34th Street Station, a major hub along the Market-Frankford Line in West Philadelphia. There are 290 stations within the system and 196 different lines of commuter rail, light rail, trolleys and busses.<\/p>\n
Anthony and his team work on the rails. And each day they go home, they know they’ve done everything they can to keep the thousands of commuters safe.<\/p>\n
“When I’m traveling over the Ben Franklin bridge and I’m looking out at the city skyline. I know I was down there underneath that city, repairing, inspecting everything, making sure everything’s up to speed.”<\/p>\n