Safety Tips

PATCO is interested in your safety. In fact, it's our foremost concern. As a PATCO transit passenger, you are using one of the safest modes of transportation available today.  You can, as a passenger, contribute to your safety and the safety of others.  Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with these transportation safety tips:

At the Station

• Know your starting point and destination.
  On arrival at the station, make a mental note of where your vehicle is parked. PATCO parking lots are numbered with signs located on the light standards. The last thing you would want to do is wander through parking lots looking for your vehicle on your return. Always look as though you know where you are going. Walk quickly and confidently to your destination.
• Know your destination.
  Many transit systems interconnect with PATCO (SEPTA, NJ Transit, Riverline, Amtrak, etc.). Know the route you’re taking before you depart. And again, walk quickly and confidently to your destination.
• Know the system schedule.
  The trip frequency of PATCO trains decline after rush hour with even longer time intervals after midnight. By knowing the schedule, passengers can decrease their waiting times in stations thereby increasing their safety.
• Walk, don’t run.
  The single most important piece of advice we can give: Slow Down!
  Slips, trips and falls are the most common causes of injuries. Allow plenty of time for parking, buying your ticket and walking to the platform. Try to be at your station at least 10 minutes before the train is scheduled to depart. Remember, if you miss your train, there will be another one along shortly.
• When you arrive at the station, look for the emergency phones.
  Red “Call for Aid” or emergency phones are located at the turnstiles of every PATCO station. They are also located on some station platforms, just pick up the phone and dial “0”. Also, SEPTA has yellow emergency phones located throughout their subway system that are directly connected to SEPTA Police Emergency.
• Watch out for slippery conditions when walking to the platform.
  Pavement may be slippery when wet.
• Hold onto the handrails when using the stairs.
  This practice gives you an edge on staying safe and prevents falls.
• Stand back from the platform edge.
  Stay well behind the yellow warning line. If you drop something into the track area, do not try to retrieve it. Tracks contain fatally high voltages of electricity. Use the red “Call for Aid” phone located at the turnstiles to contact a PATCO employee who will retrieve your item for you.

On-Board the Train

• Use the “Buddy” system.
  If at all possible, travel with another person. There really is safety in numbers. If that’s not an option ride in the first car, closest to the operator, especially at night or during times of low ridership.
• Take a seat whenever one is available.
  While standing, in and of itself, is not unsafe, why stand when you don’t have to? Sitting not only protects you from potential falls, but also is a courteous way to allow passengers detraining at stations before yours to easily access the vestibule doors.
• If you must stand, hold on to the seatbacks or poles.
  Trains will lurch unexpectedly and holding on will not only prevent falls, but will also keep you out of your fellow passengers lap!
• Watch the gap.
  When boarding or leaving a train, be aware of the small gap between the platform and the train.
• Take children by the hand.
  Be sure to hold your child’s hand when boarding. Parents and children can be separated if they do not board together. When exiting, hold your child’s hand and have them exit in front of you, not behind you or you could become separated. If you do become separated, don’t panic. Notify the train operator or pick up a red “Call for Aid” phone located at the turnstiles of every station.
• On boarding the train, locate the Passenger Emergency Alarm.
  The alarm is located on the wall at the end of the car. Tear the plastic strip and flip the switch to notify the train operator of an emergency.
  

On the Escalators

• Never run or walk on escalators; always hold the handrail and face forward. If you're with a child, hold hands. (It's not a good idea for small children to hold escalator handrails.)
• Escalator steps are always moving and have spaces that can grab. This means you should avoid resting packages (or yourself) on the stairs. You'll also want to keep clothing and shoes away from the sides. In addition, make sure that laces on footwear are tied.
• When you leave an escalator, step off, rather than ride off.
• In case of emergency, the escalator can be stopped by pressing an emergency stop button located at the top and bottom of each escalator. Advise a PATCO employee or Transit Police officer of the emergency.

On the Elevators

• Children don't know that they can get hurt by elevator doors. You need to keep youngsters away from them. So, either hold children's hands or, if you're using a stroller, keep children's hands inside and never use a stroller to block closing doors.
• Watch clothing, bags, and other personal items — they can get caught in closing doors too.
• If your elevator should stop between levels, use the emergency telephone located inside the elevator for assistance.

With Baby Strollers

• Fold strollers so that you can carry infants on stairs or escalators. Better yet, use the elevator. Strap your child in snugly at all other times.
• When you're on the platform, keep the stroller away from the edge and apply the stroller brake. That's because platforms tilt toward the tracks to allow for drainage, and the stroller could roll toward the tracks.
• Never place a stroller between closing train car doors.
• Watch out for the gap between the platforms edge and train when you board. (That's always a good idea, even when you're traveling alone.)

Late Night Travel Tips

• Remain awake and alert to your surroundings and the people who are around you.
• Travel with someone you know.
• Don’t stand alone on the platform.
• If you feel uncomfortable, move toward other people or seek a PATCO employee for assistance.
• Ride in a rail car that is occupied by other people, or in the first rail car…that’s where the operator of the train will be located.
• Have your keys ready as you approach your car, always look inside before entering, and lock the doors as soon as you get inside.
• Report objectionable conduct immediately.
  • Tell the train operator
  • Tell a police officer or PATCO employee
  • Use the red “Call for Aid” phone located at station turnstiles
  • Call DRPA Police- Transit Unit, Police Radio
    856-963-7995 or 7996
    24 hours a day