SEPTA marks 50 years in service

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has kicked off a year-long celebration of its 50th anniversary.

Throughout the year, SEPTA will host a series of events and programs, including a new advertising campaign promoting the golden anniversary; a social media campaign that encourages riders to share their "first-ride" stories on ISEPTAPHILLY.com; and the establishment of a "storyteller station" at the Transit Museum Store at 1234 Market Street in Philadelphia to share stories and donate photos and other memorabilia, SEPTA officials said in a press release.

Central to the celebrations will be the establishment of an official SEPTA archive.

"With this anniversary, we look forward to building and enriching an archive with the help of our riders, friends, and neighbors," said SEPTA General Manager Joseph Casey.

SEPTA was established to take over lines from nearly bankrupt transit and rail companies that were looking to exit the passenger business. SEPTA was formed and charged with the planning, development and coordination of a regional transportation system for Philadelphia , Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties.