Larissa Jaffe Ward- Every morning, Larissa Jaffe Ward began her day on the streets of Northeast Philadelphia. From her home near Bustleton and Devereaux, she walked to Bustleton and Magee to catch the 26 bus — her lifeline to La Salle University, where she recently graduated with a degree in Philosophy and Communication. The bus ride wasn’t easy. It was long, inconsistent, and unpredictable. But it was necessary. Without SEPTA, Larissa’s college experience wouldn’t have been possible.

“I don’t have a car. My family already has two, and there’s no room for more. Parking in my neighborhood is a nightmare,” she said. “So I just learned about SEPTA from my mom. It’s as fundamental as driving — it’s how people get where they need to go in this city.”

For four to six days a week, often more, Larissa relied on SEPTA. Whether it was the 26 bus to campus or a combination of routes like the 58, 14, or 20 to reach work or run errands, public transit was stitched into the fabric of her daily life. On weekends, she used the train to get into Center City — a necessary freedom in a bustling city with limited space and rising costs.

But for all its importance, Larissa’s journey with SEPTA wasn’t without struggle. “Some days, I had to leave early — way earlier — just in case the bus didn’t show up. And sometimes, it didn’t,” she recalled. “That unpredictability caused a lot of stress. You can’t just miss class because the bus didn’t come.”

While the buses tested her patience, the trains tested her sense of safety. “People walk between cars, fight, smoke, drink, threaten each other. It can feel dangerous,” she said. “But you don’t have a choice. If you’re willing to sit next to someone doing drugs just to get where you need to go, that says everything about how essential SEPTA is.”

Still, amid the chaos, there were moments of connection. Larissa vividly remembers the packed trains during the Eagles’ Super Bowl parade — “like sardines, but joyful” — and the magic of the Santa Train, decked out in festive lights, bringing joy to passengers in a way only public transit could.

Affording SEPTA was another hurdle. With fares adding up — sometimes two to four rides per day — it became a real financial strain. “It’s especially hard for college students. I know middle and high school students get free passes, and I’ve never understood why college students don’t,” Larissa said. “We’re older, sure, but a lot of us are full-time students, working jobs, helping at home, taking care of siblings. The cost of getting to class shouldn’t be another barrier.”

When she learned about UPass — a program offering college students subsidized transit passes — her reaction was immediate: “Oh wow, that’s awesome.” She believes the program could be transformative. “It would let more students explore the city, find internships, and participate in Philly life. A lot of students barely have enough for food or clothes. UPass could open doors.”

Larissa’s story is one of resilience, shaped by the pulse of a city that runs on wheels and rails. Her college experience, made possible by SEPTA, is a powerful reminder of the role public transit plays in shaping educational opportunities and life chances.

“SEPTA is essential,” she said. “If it stopped running, the city would fall apart. People wouldn’t get to school, to work — nothing would function. We need it. I needed it.”

As Philadelphia looks toward the future of transit, Larissa’s story is a clear call: investing in accessible, safe, and affordable public transportation isn’t optional — it’s the foundation for opportunity.