By Rebecca Deegan, Organizer, Outdoors For All Campaign, Sierra Club Pennsylvania Chapter
On Saturday, February 21st, I was lucky to be part of a gathering of Philly’s transit enthusiasts, advocates, and leaders to belatedly celebrate Transit Equity Day and imagine the possibilities of city and state transit accessibility.
Hosted at the Kensington Corridor Trust, the Transit Forward Philadelphia Coalition brought together about 40 attendees for a day of community, advocacy, and of course, opportunities to win SEPTA-themed prizes.
Attendees pose in front of a mural during Sierra Club's tour of the Kensington Community Gardens (credit: Rebecca Deegan).
Transit Equity Day, officially on February 4th, is traditionally observed to honor Rosa Parks and her role in the fight for civil rights and transportation justice. This year also carried special significance as we honor the legacy of Claudette Colvin, who passed away earlier this year. At 15 years old, Colvin refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama—months before Rosa Parks’ historic act of resistance—making her one of the earliest champions for transit equity.
The event was organized by partners in the Transit Forward Philadelphia coalition, including the Sierra Club Pennsylvania Chapter, Clean Air Council, Kensington Corridor Trust, Net Impact Philadelphia, Young Involved Philadelphia, and Temple University’s Office of Sustainability.
Philadelphia City Council Member Nicholas O’Rourke and Mark Squilla kicked off the event by addressing the crowd to voice support for the Transit Access Fund, a legislative initiative Councilmember O’Rourke introduced in April 2025 that would create a dedicated, permanent funding stream to provide free SEPTA transit for low-income residents. The proposal specifically supports the continuation of the “Zero Fare” pilot program, in which 0.5% of the city’s general fund would be allocated to ensure transit equity, reduce the burden of rising fares, and help prevent service cuts.
Councilmember Nicholas O'Rourke addresses the audience at Kengsington Corridor Trust (credit: Rebecca Deegan).
During his speech, Council Member O’Rourke emphasized the importance of reliable service for all riders, noting that “frequency and consistency across the board is equity.” He also left me with a quote that I won’t soon forget - that, “theft of time is a quiet violence” - reminding us that public transit is an essential component of a society. Transit delays, fare increases, and longer commutes make the lives of those who rely on it most objectively harder, leading to instability at one’s work, having less time for family and rest, and added daily physical and mental stress.
After the speakers concluded, there were plenty of tables and stations at which attendees could create handmade signs for future rallies, write thank-you letters to transit workers, and play games to win prizes such as t-shirts, water bottles, and other miscellaneous swag from the hosting organizations.
Advocates make signs to support transit access for all (credit: Helena Gallant).
Not to miss out on the rare February sun and balmy temperature of the day, the event also included two field trips designed to connect transit advocacy with real-world experiences. One group participated in an accessibility audit of a nearby bus station, evaluating how accessible the stop was for riders with disabilities and mobility challenges. Another group ventured out with the Sierra Club to tour the Kensington Community Gardens, which are owned and stewarded by the Kensington Corridor Trust. At this outing, we learned from KCT’s Gloria “Smooches” Cartagena about plans to make these gardens a focal point for the community, and a place of learning for local youth.
Attendees explore the Kensington Community Gardens during Sierra Club's outing (credit: Helena Gallant).
The event was not only a celebration, but a call to show up for Transit Forward Philadelphia’s subsequent “Week of Action” culminating in a rally at City Hall on Friday, March 6th. And I’m excited to report that in a much needed win for SEPTA and Philadelphians, Mayor Cherelle Parker announced on March 12th that she plans to fully fund the Zero Fare Program in 2026, as well as increasing the City’s contribution to SEPTA by 10%.
This win is a sound reminder that when we show up, organize, and connect advocacy with joy, meaningful change can and does happen. As Transit Forward Philly’s Coalition Manager Stephen Bronskill put it, “no one person can do everything, but everybody can do something.”
This blog was included as part of the April 2026 Sylvanian newsletter. Please click here to check out more articles from this edition!