SEPTA accidents prompt mandated safety training for all employees

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) this week began a "safety stand down" period to reinforce safety training for all employees following recent accidents involving SEPTA vehicles that resulted in the death of one rider and multiple injuries to other passengers and employees.

The training will emphasize safety guidelines that are in place and provide employees with a forum to give feedback, SEPTA officials said. The authority is working with the unions representing employees to develop the content that will be covered in the training.

Over the next eight weeks, all SEPTA employees will spend a full day in the mandatory training. Transit service will be affected as employees are pulled from their regular duties, SEPTA officials said.

"The safety for our customers and employees is always our top priority, and we are redoubling our efforts to be even more intentional about safety in everything that we do, at all levels of the Authority,” said SEPTA CEO and General Manager Leslie Richards. "The recent series of accidents has caused us to look internally with a critical eye to ensure we embrace safety as a core value every day."

Following the recent incidents, which began when two buses collided July 21, SEPTA dispatched safety officers throughout the system to discuss safety with employees. This new training will emphasize the need to be vigilant about safety in all aspects of all jobs.