SEPTA
Violent crime and shootings on SEPTA’s system are down more than 30% through the third quarter of 2024, according to data from the agency’s Transit Police Department, CBS News recently reported.
On Oct. 16, SEPTA reported a 34% decrease in serious crimes on its system, and shootings have decreased by 31% in 2024 compared to this time last year, according to the CBS News report.
According to the report, SEPTA also says its police department “exceeds national averages in identifying and arresting suspects in serious crimes.”
“SEPTA Transit Police are making a tremendous impact on safety and security across the system,” said SEPTA CEO Leslie Richards in a press release. “Despite funding constraints, we are committed to recruiting and retaining talented police officers and providing them with the resources they need to protect our customers and employees.”
According to the CBS news report, data shows a 38.8% decrease in the most violent crimes on SEPTA—robberies are down 47.6%, aggravated assaults are down 22.5% and homicides are down 20%. Property crimes are also down on SEPTA, with data showing a 31.8% decrease in that area—thefts are down 33.4%.
SEPTA police have made arrests in 57% of violent crime cases, which the agency claims is “20% higher than the national average,” CBS News reported. They also have a clearance rate of 92% in critical incidents, such as shootings and stabbings and a 91% clearance rate in shooting incidents, according to SEPTA.
SEPTA Transit Police Chief Charles Lawson pointed to the system’s more than 30,000 cameras, its Virtual Patrol Unit, and increased police patrols as reasons behind decreased violent crime.
“This data is proof that if you commit a crime on SEPTA, you should expect to be caught,” Lawson said.
NYMTA
The New York MTA on Oct. 16 announced the 100th Re-NEW-vation project completed at Roosevelt Island F station, marking a major milestone in the program which first began in 2022.
This newly completed project is part of New York City Transit (NYCT)’s Re-NEW-vation Program, which “utilizes planned service outages to perform station-wide repairs, enhancements, and deep cleanings.” When regular service returns to the station, customers are met with cleaner and brighter station environments.
At Roosevelt Island F station, NYCT workers scraped, primed and painted more than 10,000 square feet of surfaces across the station, including the exterior of the station’s building. The station was brightened by cleaning 510 light fixtures and converting all to LED. Crews also repaired and replaced Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) tiling, installed a new tactile edge, and inspected and secured all stairway treads. One hundred square feet of wall tiling was also replaced, and workers installed hundreds of missing ceiling panels. A mobile wash team also power washed and deep cleaned the entire station, including the service booth, polished the turnstiles, removed sticker residue from windows, and stripped gum from stairways and platforms. The station’s artwork also received a detailed cleaning.
“Customers should expect not just fast and reliable service from NYCT but also clean and inviting station environments,” said NYC Transit Interim President Demetrius Crichlow. “Capitalizing on planned outages to rehabilitate stations with fresh paint, new tiling, brighter lights and more is part of how we’re continuously working to enhance the customer experience.”
During re-NEW-vations, stations are scrapped, primed, and repainted. Lighting fixtures are updated with new LED lights and added in dark areas to brighten the environment. Outdated signs are removed and replaced where needed with clearer messaging. Benches on platforms and mezzanines are refinished. Cracks are repaired and repaved to prevent tripping hazards.
According to MTA, throughout the 100 Re-NEW-vations:
- 4.18 million square feet of repainted surfaces.
- 106,725 square feet of wall tile replaced.
- 6,030 square feet of flooring replaced.
- 2,186 new or replacement metal signs installed.
- 282 decals installed.
- 224 outdated, damaged, or unnecessary signs or map frames removed.
- 104 signs or mounting brackets repaired.
Each station, MTA says, also undergoes repairs specific to each location’s needs, including rebuilding and rehabilitating stairways, installing new draining systems to prevent flooding conditions during heavy weather events, comprehensive tile work, and extensive track ceiling repairs.
During the third quarter of 2024, the following stations received Re-NEW-vation upgrades:
- Botanic Garden (S)
- Avenue P (F)
- Metropolitan Avenue (G)
- Court Square (G)
- 51st Street (G)
- Park Place (S)
- 233rd Street (2) (5)
- Clinton-Washington Avenues (G)
- Classon Avenue (G)
- High Street (A) (C)
- Knickerbocker Avenue (M)
- Roosevelt Island (F)
In October of 2023, NYCT celebrated its accomplishment of completing a promised 50 re-NEW-vated stations. In all, 53 stations were refurbished in 2023, the first full year of the program.
TTC
Donlands Station on Line 2 Bloor-Danforth has officially become the TTC’s 55th station in the subway system to receive accessible upgrades, the agency announced on Oct. 16
Two brand-new elevators now connect street level to the subway platform level, allowing customers access to both the eastbound and westbound subway platforms. The elevators were officially opened Wednesday at an event attended by Member of Parliament for Toronto-Danforth Julie Dabrusin, City Councillor Paula Fletcher, TTC Chair Jamaal Myers and TTC Interim CEO Greg Percy.
The TTC’s Easier Access Program, the agency says, will make all subway stations accessible and is partially funded by the Government of Canada through the Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF). Elevator construction is currently under way at 14 stations: College, Summerhill, Rosedale, Castle Frank, Glencairn, Greenwood, Lawrence, Christie, High Park, Spadina, Museum, Warden, King and Islington.
Other improvements to the station include an upgraded station entrance with new accessible, automatic sliding doors, a new second exit/entrance building at 17/19 Dewhurst Blvd, a barrier-free path from the main entrance to all levels of the station and improved signage and wayfinding.
“The TTC is working hard to make its vehicles, facilities and services more accessible for all passengers,” said TTC Chair Jamaal Myers. “Our entire fleet of buses, subway trains and streetcars are accessible, and by 2026, all subway stations will be barrier-free. “We continue to work towards accessibility at all our stations, offering citizens of all abilities greater freedom of movement across our city.”
