10/16/2026
Delaware Valley Association of Rail Passengers Statement Regarding Social Media Advocacy Against Fair and Equal Opportunity for Access to Public Transit and Passenger Rail
Recently on Facebook DVARP has entertained dialogue with other Philadelphia regional transit advocates and advocacy organizations on a variety of topic including, but not limited the proposed Roosevelt Boulevard Subway planning initiative, proposals to improve passenger rail options in southern New Jersey, and addressing quality of life issues on SEPTA’s transit divisions.
As President of DVARP and primary contributor to social media conversations on DVARP’s behalf, I was alarmed to discover several leading transit advocates and transit advocacy organizations have been advocating for and applauding addressing quality of life issues and fare evasion on SEPTA through segregation and prohibition of riders based upon income level, homelessness/housing security, and medical and mental health issues.
DVARP acknowledges that issues do exist on SEPTA transit, particularly on the L (aka Market-Frankford Line) and B (aka Broad Street Line), involving fare evasion and quality of life issues such as smoking, drug sales/use, and transit based sheltering. DVARP does not, or have we ever, supported enacting policies, rules, or legislation which would create “separate but equal” transit vehicles or stations or prohibition of riders who have housing insecurity, mental illnesses, physical disabilities, or income insecurities .
DVARP understands and acknowledges that most riders would prefer riding on public transit and not have to be surrounded by others who are smoking, va**ng, engaging in the sale or use of drugs, or are under the influence; DVARP also recognizes SEPTA has enacted policies which allow SEPTA Police to take action against these nuisance issues through means of fines, discharge, and/or arrest depending on the severity of the issue and these efforts have reduced nuisance issues.
Housing and income insecurity, addiction issues, and physical disabilities are a constant in our society – people in states of need require fair and reasonable access via public transit and passenger rail to seek shelters and housing assistance, food assistance, medical aid and treatment, employment, schools, and places of worship. Public transit and passenger rail options are not and should not be the means that provides these services, but are important in getting those that need access to them from one place to another, just the same as the commuter who rides to and from work on a daily basis.
DVARP does not support or ally with any advocacy organization who advocates for dividing public transit or passenger rail options into segregated choices for those with means and then everyone else, restrictions or prohibitions on ridership or riders due to income or housing insecurities, mental or physical illnesses or disabilities, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual preferences, etc. DVARP believes that all fare paying passengers deserve fair and equal treatment without judgement unless those riders actions or deeds on-board a transit vehicle constitute a clear safety issue, is a crime, or creates an immediate threat to themselves or others. SEPTA Police have actively undertaken a role in this matter that has shown success and we applaud their efforts for helping improve quality of life issues for all riders.
Passenger rail and public transit should and must be fair and equally available for all!
