PHILADELPHIA – January 16 – Councilwoman Cindy Bass (8th District) will introduce a resolution authorizing City Council’s Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities to investigate transit operators’ responsibilities for cleanup, maintenance and beautification at transit entry points into, and sites throughout, Philadelphia.
“As Philadelphia bids to host global-scale events and house major corporations like Amazon, how the city presents itself is an important factor that influences how outside entities perceive our city,” Councilwoman Bass said. “We want to make sure that the first impression visitors get when entering Philadelphia is a positive one.”
The resolution will call on Council to investigate transit operators, including Conrail, SEPTA Amtrak, CSX and Norfolk-Southern, and their responsibility to maintain clean, safe sites, especially at various entry points into Philadelphia. Bass acknowledged the hard work and diligence of community members who clean and help maintain sites along train tracks, and work to report dumping violations and other illegal activities to appropriate agencies.
“When I ride the train south, to cities like Baltimore and Washington D.C., or north, to cities like New York, I’m welcomed by clean, well-maintained city lines,” Councilwoman Bass remarked. “I want visitors traveling into Philadelphia to feel welcomed as well. Part of that can be achieved by making sure travelers are greeted with clean and well-maintained spaces as they arrive.
“Transit operators in the City of Philadelphia must operate as good corporate citizens in the same way that people should behave as good citizens in our city. I look forward to learning more about transit operators’ responsibilities to maintain these sites, and to working with them to create a more safe and beautiful Philadelphia.”
Councilwoman Bass will introduce the resolution at the first Council session of the new year on Thursday, January 25.
# # #
Councilwoman Cindy Bass represents the 8th Council District, which includes Germantown, Mt. Airy, Nicetown, Tioga, Chestnut Hill, portions of Logan, and West Oak Lane. She is Chair of Council’s committees on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs and Public Health and Human Services.
