Just after 2 p.m. Wednesday, a single gunshot cracked through the trolley platform at SEPTA’s 13th Street Station in Center City, authorities said, briefly rattling the afternoon commute before transit service snapped back to normal. SEPTA Police told NBC10 Philadelphia that officers got the call shortly after 2 p.m. on the underground trolley level and quickly detained a man at the scene. No one was hit by the gunfire, and investigators processed the platform before regular trolley operations resumed later in the afternoon. The scene caused a brief travel shakeup around 13th and Market Streets as officers secured the station.
SEPTA Points To Drop In Systemwide Crime
The scare landed at an awkward time for SEPTA, which has been touting falling crime numbers across its network. In a first-quarter report released April 21, the agency said serious crime was down about 30% year over year, and that the Market-Frankford Line alone saw roughly a 42% decline, according to SEPTA. “Since peaking during the pandemic, crime across the system has consistently declined,” General Manager Scott Sauer said in the release.
Security Upgrades And What Riders Can Expect
SEPTA and local coverage note that the authority has been leaning on a mix of hardware and manpower to keep those numbers moving in the right direction. Full-height fare gates have gone in at several stations, including 13th Street, and Transit Police staffing has increased as part of the safety push, WHYY reports.
Riders are being told to expect occasional service interruptions when police have to investigate incidents in underground stations, even when, as on Wednesday, no one is injured. Officials say the goal is that investments in staffing and station upgrades will eventually cut down on those disruptions.
By Wednesday evening, the investigation into the shot on the trolley platform was still active. Officials told NBC10 Philadelphia that anyone with information or video footage should contact SEPTA Transit Police. For immediate emergencies, authorities say to call 911, while riders with non-emergency tips can use SEPTA’s app or website to report concerns.
