Youth Advisory Council

Upcoming Events

Plenary Meeting
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. | next meeting

The Youth Advisory Council meets monthly, and all meetings are open to the public.

Meetings are held at 1234 Market Street | 10th Floor | Room 10A.
Use our trip planner to customize transit directions to this location.

Subsequent meetings will be held on the following dates:

To be scheduled

About The YAC

Composed of young riders from Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, and Chester counties, the Youth Advisory Council is SEPTA's primary outreach group to riders ages 14 to 22.

Under the guidance of the Citizen Advisory Committee, the Youth Advisory Council advocates student needs to SEPTA leadership. It assists SEPTA in creating promotions, providing outreach to the region's youth, and educating peers about services and special events.

The YAC was first convened in September 2009, after a competitive application process that drew interest from college and high school students across the Delaware Valley. There are currently 17 youth serving on the YAC, representing four Philadelphia universities and three Philadelphia high schools. Membership is open to youth between 16 and 23 years of age.

Work Plan

The YAC voted to divide its work into three parts at its inaugural meeting.

Outreach & Events. The YAC works with SEPTA to bring information directly to high school and college campuses, and to develop promotions that encourage youth to use SEPTA more.

Communications. Seeking to inform youth of its existence and the resources it provides. This includes developing a two-way channel of communication that apprises youth of SEPTA information while soliciting their participation in our work.

Service Evaluation. Undertaking a survey project of youth riders designed to inform it of their transportation needs and opinions. This will serve as the basis for a set of recommendations that the YAC will make to SEPTA leadership regarding high-priority programs and service improvements that would benefit youth riders.

Initiatives

Youth Rider Survey
The Youth Rider Survey is an integral part of the YAC's work plan, which focuses Outreach & Events, Communication, and Service Evaluation. Young riders will be able to both respond to suggested service improvements and submit their own ideas. The survey process will be followed by public forums that will allow youth to directly engage YAC members and SEPTA representatives on issues of concern to them. The YAC will use the results of the survey and public forums to present SEPTA's Board with a set of recommendations for better serving youth riders.

Youth Rider Forums
As part of the second phase of the Service Evaluation process, the YAC will give the floor to young riders to voice their feedback and concerns. Youth Rider Forums will begin with brief presentations from the YAC and SEPTA staff informing attendees of existing resources and capital improvement projects. Following the presentations, participants will have the opportunity to where youth will work within small groups to prioritize service improvements they would most like the YAC advocate to SEPTA.

The first forum was at the University Of Pennsylvania in April, while an additional public forum is planned for the Main Campus of Temple University early in September 2010. Attendance at forums will be open to all youth riders in the SEPTA service area.

On-Campus Outreach
The YAC visits local college campuses to engage students and distribute flyers, surveys, and SEPTA promotional materials.

To have the YAC visit a campus near you, send us an email or Facebook message.

Meeting Minutes & Reports

YAC Plenary meeting minutes & progress reports

Member Biographies

Profiles of the Youth Advisory Council membership

How To Join

Applications for the Youth Advisory Council are accepted on a rolling basis.

Candidates should send a resume and letter of interest, describing why their appointment would be beneficial, to the Youth Advisory Council. The YAC is looking for dedicated young adults who will enjoy connecting high school and college students to the region's public transit network.

Applicants must be at least 16 years of age and no older than 23 years of age. High School applicants must be entering or currently in their Junior or Senior year. Eligibility for appointment is dependent upon residency within Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware or Chester County. This requirement can be met either through permanent residency, or as a student attending a college or university located within the aforementioned counties; proof of residence and/or admittance into an eligible college or university may be required. Appointment to the Youth Advisory Council is valid until a member reaches 23 years of age, provided he or she remains in good standing.

This is an exciting opportunity to represent your friends and peers and contribute to SEPTA's mission of providing the best Customer Service to riders of all ages.