DRPA: Transit Ambassadors Provide Peace of Mind on PATCO Trains

An initiative that has provided greater security for evening commuters and those travelling to dining, cultural and sports events in Philadelphia on the PATCO High-Speed Line is on track to be renewed by the Delaware River Port Authority at its Sept. 21 board meeting.

Transit Ambassadors, who are attired in PATCO red and black uniforms, have been present since November 2007 at all stations along the train’s 14.2 miles of track from 4:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on weekdays and from 7 p.m. to midnight on weekends.

Since the train stations are so automated, there are times of the day when there is very limited official PATCO presence along the rail line.

Cheryl Spicer, now PATCO acting general manager, is credited with designing the program to promote safety and off-hour ridership between the South Jersey suburbs and Center City Philadelphia.  

During the discussion on reauthorizing the program at an August DRPA committee meeting, Spicer acknowledged that “a major factor” in launching the Transit Ambassador presence was the November 2001 kidnapping and murder of Christine Lynn Eberle.  

Other commuters who witnessed the 27-year old Washington Township woman being attacked in the PATCO’s Ferry Avenue station had sought help by calling 911. With the police dispatcher saying she was unable to understand the emotional calls for help—which later led to her suspension for failing to pass along the call for help to police—it was determined that a professional presence was needed to help prevent and respond to passenger safety concerns.

Adding an element of safety

The program is designed to supplement, but not replace, the PATCO police and public safety crews that continue to patrol the stations. The unarmed Transit Ambassadors, connected to PATCO Police and local law enforcement by radio, provide additional reassurance to riders by offering to accompany them to their cars at night.

“The feedback from PATCO riders is that our transit ambassadors provide peace of mind to them and their families,” said John J. Matheussen, chief executive officer of the DRPA and President of PATCO.  

Transit Ambassadors are also trained to answer questions about PATCO schedules and ticket costs, and can be a welcome resource by sharing area maps and directions to attractions in the city.

The DRPA’s Operations and Maintenance Committee is recommending that the full board renew its contract for the transit ambassadors with Service Group Inc. (SGI) of Malvern, PA, at an annual cost of $630,160. By contracting with SGI—which provides similar ambassador services in Philadelphia, Washington and other cities—PATCO “has the benefit of professionally trained personnel with lower overhead costs,” said Matheussen.

In addition to PATCO, the DRPA owns and operates the Benjamin Franklin, Commodore Barry, Betsy Ross and Walt Whitman bridges, and the Philadelphia Cruise Terminal.  The DRPA also owns the RiverLink Ferry.

(John Crosbie writes about the Delaware River Port Authority and South Jersey public-transportation issues for Patch.com. Reach him at jwcrosbie@yahoo.com.)