30th street station area (Philadelphia: home, to live, dangerous)

[Muzicman94]

Hello. I am wondering how safe the area around 30th street station is at night. I have a friend who may be traveling on the bolt bus (stops on 30th street between market and chestnut) and will need to walk to 30th street station to take a SEPTA train to her final destination. People have told me that Philadelphia is not safe at night, and I am very concerned for her safety. Also, she'll be making this trip alone. If the area is dangerous at night, at what time does it become so? As in, what time of night would you never want to be in that area after? Please help? I am extremely concerned for her safety.

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by Muzicman94

Hello. I am wondering how safe the area around 30th street station is at night. I have a friend who may be traveling on the bolt bus (stops on 30th street between market and chestnut) and will need to walk to 30th street station to take a SEPTA train to her final destination. People have told me that Philadelphia is not safe at night, and I am very concerned for her safety. Also, she'll be making this trip alone. If the area is dangerous at night, at what time does it become so? As in, what time of night would you never want to be in that area after? Please help? I am extremely concerned for her safety.

Your friend should be fine. Not sure where exactly the Bolt Bus lets off but if it's on the Chestnut Street side, she will pass by the huge main Post Office Building to her right. It will be a one-block walk to 30th Street Station. She'll probably be walking with several people making their way to either the train station or the underground El stop.

30th Street Station itself is a hub for AMTRAK as well as the local SEPTA system. It is well-lit and patrolled and she should feel comfortable there.

[Bookmen]

Tone is correct in his assumptions. The Bolt Bus drop-off is essentially across the street from the 30th St Station. There will be a lot of people getting off the bus, some being picked up there, but quite a few will be walking to the train station or the subway stop. I wouldn't be concerned. I've done it at 11 pm on Sunday night and felt completely safe.

[pman]

I've come back as late as 1 am on Monday night and never had any issues. bolt bus drops you off just south of market. there's a bar on the corner of 30th and market and that's where people wait for the shuttle bus at night (for the el). it's all pretty well lit and the station is active until pretty late at night.

[niceguy19125]

Originally Posted by Muzicman94

People have told me that Philadelphia is not safe at night, and I am very concerned for her safety.

She'll be fine and thank goodness there is safety in numbers, as that area has a number of folks trying to get home alive from 30th Street Station nightly. As a city dweller, I can relate as I sprint home from the subway... pepper spray at hand, praying I might make it home just one more time, where I bolt the door and hunker down, until the relative safety of the next day. Hopefully I've helped reinforce every far flung suburbanite's worst unfound fears.

[Eyes]

.. I would suggest they find some people on the bus to help get to the train as it is very likely someone will be going the same route ..
having an air of confidence is the best way to travel ..
they say dogs can smell fear ..
as you are on line ..
check out maps all needed routes of travel between the bus and train and send the links to this person ...
they can print it out and have it handy in the bus and after ..
Be prepared is the motto

[lititzman2003]

I've been in the 30th Street Station late at night and I never felt threatened. Again, like others have said, have your friend try to walk with others and just keep aware of her surroundings. There always seem to be a police presence in the area as well.

Your friend is fortunate to have someone looking out for her like you do.

[chessimprov]

Just make sure you stay IN the station and with the crowd. I've heard stuff happen outside of the station a block away or so once in awhile, usually around 11 PM and up, but one time at 7 PM

[pman]

what's once in a while? I've never had a problem outside the station outside, I'd proceed with caution, but think chessimprov is a bit off base with the idea you can't leave the station

[chessimprov]

About 4 times a year I would guess. I used to live near this area and read some of the police reports and hear things from students.