SEPTA Police now wearing body cameras
The $400,000 program, approved by the SEPTA Board in July, equips all 289 SEPTA Transit officers with Digital Ally First VU body cameras. The decision to equip the officers was made following a pilot program in which 15 officers tested cameras from 10 different vendors.
PHILADELPHIA — All Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) Transit Police officers are now wearing body cameras, a step Chief Thomas Nestel says will ensure that the public's constitutional rights are upheld while also protecting officers from false claims of abuse, the Philly Voice reports.
The $400,000 program, approved by the SEPTA Board in July, equips all 289 SEPTA Transit officers with Digital Ally First VU body cameras. The decision to equip the officers was made following a pilot program in which 15 officers tested cameras from 10 different vendors.
SEPTA officers will be subject to random compliance checks. Officers who fail to turn on their cameras will face penalties relative to the severity of the violation. For the full story, click here.
More Security and Safety
How VaporVision™ Adds Value to Transit Door Systems
Wabtec engineers explain how the system improves doorway detection, strengthens diagnostics and gives transit agencies and OEMs greater operating flexibility.
Read More →
FRA Announces $5.3B in Rail Investments, Including $2B for Amtrak
Funding will support grade-crossing improvements, infrastructure upgrades, and new Amtrak equipment in 23 states.
Read More →
Chicago, Maryland Expand Non-Law-Enforcement Safety, Rider Support
The CTA and MTA are launching new programs aimed at de-escalation, crisis response, rider assistance, and greater transparency.
Read More →
LA Metro, City of West Hollywood, and Partners Advance Smarter Bus Lane Enforcement
The award-winning partnership combines AI-powered detection with human oversight to improve bus reliability, accessibility, and enforcement efficiency.
Read More →
LA Metro Reports 57% Decline in Homelessness on Transit System Since 2024
The agency's latest homelessness count offers new data on how care-based services and cross-sector partnerships can complement traditional transit security strategies.
Read More →
FTA Launches 'Transit Moves America' Dashboard to Highlight Agency Safety and Performance
The online dashboard transforms National Transit Database information into a public-facing resource that allows users to compare transit agencies on key operational and safety metrics.
Read More →
LA Metro Marks Banner Year, Sets Ambitious Goals for New Fiscal Year
Incoming LA Metro Board Chair and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass joined outgoing Board Chair Fernando Dutra and LA Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins to review accomplishments from fiscal year 2026, which included the opening of new rail extensions, advancement of major transit projects, expanded safety programs, and new rider amenities.
Read More →
Building the Next Generation of Transit Technology
In this edition of METROspectives, Luminator CEO Magnus Friberg discusses the company's transformation, the growing role of AI and software, and what's next for transit technology.
Read More →
TTC Launches Camera Pilot to Curb Illegal Passing of Streetcars
During the pilot, the cameras will measure how often illegal streetcar passing occurs and test the technology's reliability for future automated enforcement.
Read More →
Biz Briefs: Masabi Teams with St. Louis Metro and More
In METRO's latest installment, we take a look at recent news from Transdev, Hitachi, and more partnerships making headlines across the transportation sector.
Read More →