On February 26th, 2021 members of the Philly Transit Equity Day Coalition hosted the third annual Philly Transit Equity Day on Zoom. Transit Equity Day celebrates the legacy of civil rights leaders like Octavius Catto who fought to desegregate Philadelphia’s horse-drawn trolleys in the 19th century, and continues to affirm that public transit is a civil right, as well as an important strategy to combat climate change.
This year groups including Clean Air Council, Philadelphia Climate Works, People’s Emergency Center, Transit Forward Philly, 5th Square, Transit Riders Union, and Scribe Video hosted the event which focused on the four areas that are central to improving transit equity in the Philadelphia: an improved fare system, cleaner and easier to understand system, accessible vehicles and stations, and better service frequency.
The event included an update from SEPTA general manager Leslie Richards, presentations from the 5th Square about the Fair Fares Program, Transit Forward Philly about the Better Buses campaign, and a collection of transit rider stories about their experiences using transit during the pandemic. You can watch the full program for yourself here:
Rundown of Video Program:
- 00:01 Introduction by event moderator Kevin Brown from People’s Emergency Center
- 02:51 Overview of Transit Equity Day by Zakia Elliot from Philadelphia Climate Works
- 10:28 Video of Rider Stories compiled by Marcellus Armstrong from Scribe Video
- 17:26 Video Message from Leslie Richards, SEPTA General Manager
- 23:47 Presentation about Fare Equity by Ben She from 5th Square
- 37:22 Presentation about the Better Buses Campaign by Yasha Zarrinkelk from Transit Forward Philly
- 50:14 Discussion & Video about Octavius Catto
- 57:38 Closing Remarks from Event Organizers
Want to get involved with transit equity moving forward, or have a specific transit equity idea that you want to share?
Email us to share your transit equity ideas and sign up for the Clean Air Council email list to keep up to date on transportation equity and the other work we do.
Sign Transit Forward Philly’s Better Buses Petition.
We hope to see you at next year’s event! Learn more about Transit Equity Day 2022.
