Smoking, Drinking, Urinating, More Violations Being Enforced On SEPTA

PHILADELPHIA — Quality of life law violators on SEPTA buses, trolleys, trains, and more are on notice.

Effective July 1, SEPTA Transit Police are issuing Code Violation Notices to people who drinking alcohol, urinating in public, smoking, littering, and other offenses on its properties.

Transit Police will issue a ticket to the offender and forward a copy of the ticket to the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Administrative Review.

Fines will range from $25 to $150.

Offenders will have the option to pay the fine or request a court date. The Office of Administrative Review will track unpaid fines, and chronic offenders will be banned from entering SEPTA property.

Since 2019, SEPTA Transit Police have issued Administrative Enforcement Notices for quality-of-life violations. These notices carry a fine, but are not court-enforced. An evaluation of the program determined that it is not effective in deterring anti-social behaviors that negatively impact SEPTA customers.

SEPTA Transit Police are still increasing visible patrols across the system, with more officers strategically deployed at stations and on trains, trolleys, and buses.