Rapid Transit Track Inspectors keep everyone riding the rails safe

Follow First Class Track Inspector Anthony Stumpo on a typical day underground: inspecting, repairing and keeping everyone riding SEPTA's rapid transit line safe and where they need to go.

He explains, "With track inspection, you're in the weather; you're in the tunnel: heat, cold, rain, sleet, shine, whatever. We're out there. And we have to be!"

Anthony hails from West Deptford, New Jersey. He is one of 54 track inspectors in Philadelphia's SEPTA, the regional transit authority for Philadelphia and its surrounding counties.

The authority is responsible for keeping its 800,000 daily riders safe and moving.

It's an important and physical job.

"It takes its toll. It's a demanding job. We're walking six, seven miles a day. And nothing is light. Especially when we do come across some emergencies."

His day usually involves a safety meeting with his crew. Then they head out. The crew today is inspecting the tracks along the 34th Street Station, a major hub along the Market-Frankford Line in West Philadelphia. There are 290 stations within the system and 196 different lines of commuter rail, light rail, trolleys and busses.

Anthony and his team work on the rails. And each day they go home, they know they've done everything they can to keep the thousands of commuters safe.

"When I'm traveling over the Ben Franklin bridge and I'm looking out at the city skyline. I know I was down there underneath that city, repairing, inspecting everything, making sure everything's up to speed."

For more information, check out https://www.septa.org.