Emily Garrett | Hop on, help out

Before I moved to Philadelphia, public transit was something I'd only ever seen on TV.

I envisioned myself as a Seinfeld character boarding the subway and getting into awkward and uncomfortable situations with strange people. I imagined, or at least hoped, that Patrick Swayze's ghost would sit next to me and perhaps decide to accompany me to my pottery class and we would.

Wow . lost my train of thought . oh yeah, public transportation. When I arrived in Philadelphia I became acquainted with SEPTA in all its glory.

Last week, as I rode back to campus with a friend following a concert, I learned that in almost two years at Penn he had only used SEPTA twice.

At first I was shocked. But after asking around a bit, I realized that many Penn students do not utilize the fifth-largest public transit system in the United States even though it's right here at our fingertips.

I admit that I was a scared little freshman who didn't stray too far from campus last year. But now I am a wise and worldly sophomore. I am boldly venturing father away from the nurturing protection of powerful Penn and yet, although I use SEPTA on occasion, I have not put SEPTA to good use like I should.

I could have saved a lot of money by taking the subway to restaurants and events downtown. I could have saved time spent trying to find a cab. I could have avoided that let down, time after time, when drivers cruelly taunted me by always leaving their lights on.

On the down side, I wouldn't have met my cabbie friend Ahmed. Nor would I have learned about his ridiculous brother, his mother's broken foot or his Chia pet - but that's a story for another day. However, I'm sure I would have met many equally intriguing Philly natives on the bus.

In addition to individual gains, increased student use of SEPTA can be nothing but beneficial for the city of Philadelphia as a whole.

SEPTA is one of the city's largest employers, providing over 9,000 jobs. These jobs, according to the SEPTA Web site, provide benefits including medical, dental, prescription and life insurance, and pension and retirement plans.

SEPTA has an annual ridership of 299 million, providing the only way for many to get to work and school. Using public transit reduces traffic and consequently pollution, making the city cleaner and more pleasant for everyone.

You'd think that Penn students who are so dedicated to improving the life of the community around them would choose to support something that is so positive for the city. Not to mention that it's in our own personal interest as well.

Many students most likely could identify with College sophomore Josh Oresko, who admitted he just doesn't "know how to use public transit."

This seems to be a popular excuse for not using SEPTA. But if Penn can teach students quantum physics it can surely teach them how to use public transit.

Despite efforts that make SEPTA cheaper, Penn is still not addressing the real problem behind student disuse of SEPTA. Penn should provide information directly to students about how to navigate the public transit system, perhaps during NSO and throughout the year.

But even without crystal-clear understanding of the system, students shouldn't be afraid to use SEPTA. Just last Friday I enjoyed a subway adventure in which I got to judge a riveting push-up competition. And when I missed my stop and realized I was on the wrong train, all I had to do was ask for a little help. An old man in a neck brace and a streetwise 10-year-old were more than happy to help me out.

Yesterday marked the last of five public hearings which will determine SEPTA's future. On May 24, the SEPTA board will vote on how to handle the company's precarious financial situation. According to an April 6 article in The Philadelphia Inquirer, "SEPTA is in a $130 million hole."

Philadelphia's transit system could see raised fares, reduced service, lay-offs or some combination of the three. Although its exact future is unclear, what is certain is that SEPTA needs all the support it can get, even if it is only $1.30 at a time.

Penn students have always impressed me with their commitment to bettering the world around them. Using public transportation is an easy way for us to save money while supporting this asset to the city of brotherly love.

It's cheap, it's convenient, and who knows, Patrick Swayze might be hanging around the subway stop, ready to show you a good time.

Emily Garrett is a College sophomore from Waukon, Iowa. Her e-mail address is garrett@dailypennsylvanian.com . Carpe Di-Em appears on Tuesdays. Emily Garrett's column is part of "All Aboard," a special section on issues facing SEPTA.

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