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Is SEPTA safe at night?

Is it relatively safe to ride the SEPTA (Philadelphia) subway after 10pm?

  • I am taking Acela (the Amtrak train) into Philadelphia 30th Street Station, and I arrive around 10pm. I want to take the SEPTA subway (Market-Frankford Line) to my hotel in Old City, but several people have warned me that it’s too dangerous to take the subway in Philly that late in the evening. Sure, I can afford a taxi cab. But I’ve taken the train in every other town in the USA I’ve visited, and I want to do as the locals do. I’ve ridden the train in: Miami, Atlanta, DC, NYC, Boston, Chicago, San Diego, Salt Lake City and even Baltimore. I’ve taken the subway in Chicago and NYC both around 2,3, and 4 in the morning… so I’m used to late night urban train rides. Surely SEPTA can’t be so bad?????

  • Answer:

    You will be fine. Despite what other people tell you SEPTA is extremely safe, especially compared to some areas of the city. People will point to the fact that last year someone was killed in a SEPTA concourse in center city which the media talked about for days. Hundreds of people are killed in this city every year and the media either doesn't mention it or spends ten seconds covering the story because they live in the "badlands". FYI the Market-Frankford Line stop is outside of 30th Street station; walk across the station towards Market Street and you should see it once outside across the street on your right.

TiMacask... at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

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I've done it. I've never been killed, not even once.

Albert

Yes you should be fine. 10pm is still rather early. Still people moving about. You're only traveling in the downtown area, about 6 or 7 stops. It's not as bad as being in West Philly, or Frankford. Just use common sense like you would anywhere else. Keep an eye on your bags and valuables. Don't flash money or any expensive items. And try not to look too "touristy". And you give you a heads up so you don't have to ask questions, you're traveling Eastbound

Yea you should be fine! its like walking around any city after dark. Just know how to handle yourself. (Dont stare at the screaming bum hahaha). No but seriously, ive heard horror stories but their few and wide and most of them happen in the daytime, which is kind of odd. The worst ive seen is people smoking weed but usually people are sleeping or they are young kids out for the night plus 30th to old city takes literally 7-10 minutes

j

Honestly, you may be fine, but if you can afford it, why not just take a cab? You're most likely going to be walking around with a bag or two, maybe even a heavy one since you're traveling, so aside from having a target or a reason to go after you, you've also got something slowing you down. Every place is as different as every situation...just spend the money. I live in Philly, and I'd take a cab.

jdm

I'm a 350 pound 6' former front-line combat Recon Marine Platoon Sergeant. Even if I had 2 Colt .45 Cal's with a M16 back-up, you would not catch my butt on a subway after "sunset". But you go ahead. You might get away with it. Then you can brag to all your friends how tough you are (when you get out of the hospital).

the3rdtom

You should be fine but if you're that bothered there are a few buses you can take from 30th street to Old City. The 44, 42, 21. Check the septa website for schedules and stops.

Mnemosyne

Its very likely safe... but its always a bit scary to take the train at night in a city you don't know well. The bigger problem might be the schedule - you might have a bit of a wait. Check the schedule at Septa.com

Joan S

Better question is why would you do it? Take Regional Rail to Market East. No one checks tickets until you leave Center City. And if you've done the subway in Baltimore, Philly will be a cake walk.

shoredude2

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