Arguably one of the most complex yet overlooked systems in the daily lives of Villanovans is the SEPTA system. To a customer’s eye, the process seems so simple: hop on, pay and get off, a simple mode of transport from one point to another. Train systems are so much more than that, though, and provide life-lines to both SEPTA employees and customers alike. 

With multiple stations on campus, Villanovans use the train for an abundance of reasons: to get to other colleges, to go into the city, to get to the airport and more. 

When Villanova’s basketball team plays at Wells Fargo, the stations are packed with excited fans. I used the SEPTA just last week to get to the Philadelphia Art Museum for a class there. SEPTA  provides an essential connection between the outer suburbs of Philly and the city itself, as well as all the stops along the way.

“My sister goes to Penn, so I have found it very accessible for going to see her,” freshman Caroline Blum said. “I just get on it right from campus and it is very quick. It is also accessible when traveling home.”

Freshman Hannah Sullivan says that SEPTA is “helpful for underclassmen without a car.” SEPTA offers the opportunity to explore the city. 

Villanova is lucky because, unlike most other schools in suburban areas, we have the SEPTA as a simple way to get back and forth without having to pay for expensive Ubers or Lyfts.

However, according to NBC Philadelphia, there was talk of a strike from SEPTA workers starting Nov. 1, when their current contract with the transportation workers union will be renewed. The issues largely stem from the fact that trains and buses are understaffed, leaving SEPTA workers to endure long shifts.

Fox 29 reported on Friday, Oct. 27, that the union and SEPTA came to a tentative agreement on wage increases and employee benefits, but other issues still remain. 

The main issue is the question of safety. Sullivan says that while she relies on the train for “getting in and out of Philly during the day,” her parents and others have warned against her using them at night. 

Drivers, mechanics and other workers have felt this way since the pandemic, when crime rates began to rise. These issues have raised questions about how SEPTA contributes to Villanovans’ experiences, and what we can all do to help.

One idea is to make use of the SEPTA on weekends or during free time. Using this system and remaining respectful while doing so can make it so much easier for the workers. It also profits a system that is helping many get to and from work.

“I feel like people don’t take advantage of it enough, you can get into Philly or small towns in the area to do some work at a coffee shop off campus,” freshman Maggie Dirkes said. 

As someone who is local, Dirkes is familiar with the system and finds it of great importance to college students as a means of access to nearby areas.

A few other positives to using SEPTA is that it is a public transport. Public transportation is better for the environment, so try using the train rather than ordering a ride. It is also a good life skill, and college is the perfect time to develop it.

With all the talk of SEPTA’s labor issues, it is important to continue to use the trains and buses and to support their cause in any way possible. Villanova is very lucky to have SEPTA running through our campus, and students should consider the possibility of using this service more often.