If you ride Metro regularly, you’ve likely seen some of our unhoused neighbors sheltering on the system. After all, enclosed spaces such as buses, trains, and stations tend to be safer places to rest than sidewalks and parks. Unofficial estimates from our staff suggest that there are more than 1000 people sheltering on the system on any given night. (This estimate includes Metro property –– buses and trains were not included.) It’s not an issue that’s specific to Metro, either. “Point in time” counts conducted by New York City MTA officials revealed 4,042 people sheltering on that system in 2023. Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) officials counted 363 people in 2023 (although the numbers vary from month to month depending on season and weather).
We are a transportation agency, not a social services agency, but we can’t do our job –– that is, provide people with safe, reliable, and high-quality transportation –– without addressing this complex and pervading crisis.
Here’s what we’re doing:
Have more mobility news that we should be reading and sharing? Let us know! Reach out to Sage Kashner (kashner@ctaa.org).
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