The recent opening of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s (SEPTA) unique Accessible Travel Center expands the freedom to travel independently on public transportation in the Philadelphia region to larger numbers of people with disabilities.

The center, funded in part by a $140,000 Federal Transit Administration New Freedom Grant, is located in the concourse of SEPTA’s Suburban Station in Center City Philadelphia.

“Creation of the Accessible Travel Center demonstrates SEPTA’s commitment to accessibility,” said SEPTA General Manager Joseph Casey. “The disabled community asked for this facility; we listened and we responded. Suburban Station is an ideal location for the center, as it is served by multiple accessible transportation modes and is reachable by both city and suburban residents.”

The center features a mockup of the front third of a ramp-equipped SEPTA bus—complete with farebox, wheelchair berths, and stop announcements. Replicated subway and regional rail platforms provide an opportunity for SEPTA’s passengers with disabilities, their aides, and companion animals to practice safe boarding procedures. The center’s realistic graphics make it appear as though users are riding a bus or waiting on a station platform. These riders can also use audiovisual teaching materials in the center’s classroom to familiarize themselves with SEPTA vehicles and services.

“There is no part of our society more dependent on public transportation than people with disabilities,” said Rod Powell, chair of the SEPTA Advisory Committee for Accessible Transportation. “The ability to use public transit opens the door to opportunities for employment, increased independence and mobility, more access to community activities, and additional independent living skills for the disabled community.”

“Supporting independence and mobility is our goal. Travel training enables passengers with disabilities to use public transportation for specific trips on their own and gives them more personal freedom,” said Cynthia Lister, SEPTA regulatory coordinator. “We will be able to provide a broader, more aggressively marketed program of travel instruction and system orientation, which will significantly expand travel instruction opportunities for people with disabilities.”

Prior to the center’s opening, SEPTA customers with disabilities had to cope with limited practice time, vehicle availability; weather (sessions were held outdoors), privacy concerns, on-street distractions, and other passengers’ impatience as they practiced boarding different SEPTA modes. For travel training to be successful, trainees need thorough, repetitive individual practice sessions. SEPTA’s Accessible Travel Center significantly expands instruction opportunities for these individuals as it offers an ideal setting for this type of training to take place.

Besides convenience, independence, and enhanced self-esteem, another benefit to persons with disabilities who use SEPTA’s regular fixed route service is saving money. For example, a rider with a disability, traveling a short distance from home to a part-time job, will pay the $1 base fare for persons with disabilities compared to the $4 paratransit base fare.

The unemployment rate in the disabled community is currently 70 to 80 percent. Lower transportation costs for these riders could improve employment rates for the community.

Also this year, SEPTA also is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its paratransit service, CCT Connect. During that time, SEPTA has invested several billion dollars to make its vehicles, facilities, and services usable by and accessible to its riders. With the exception of trolleys, all of SEPTA’s modes of transportation are now accessible, as are nearly 100 of its stations. SEPTA’s elevator maintenance and repair program, a critical issue for wheelchair users and others with limited mobility, has established a national standard for excellence.

SEPTA is making its Accessible Travel Center available to professional travel trainers, orientation and mobility instructors, and service animal trainers throughout the agency’s service area.

This mockup of a SEPTA bus allows users of the Accessible Travel Center to practice safe boarding procedures.

The entrance to SEPTA's Accessible Travel Center.