Originally from Savannah, Georgia, Jeremiah Murrell is a freshman at Temple University studying Geography and Urban Studies. He is involved in the Geography, Environmental, and Urban Studies (GEnUS) Majors Association; Project 2026, a student civic engagement organization; 5th Square Advocacy, an urbanist group; and the Black Student Union. His interest in urban studies stems from what he saw in his own neighborhoods growing up.

“Like many American cities, (Savannah) racial segregation and the legacy of red lining is very dominant. Growing up seeing that visibly in my own community, that really pushed me to find out why that kind of reality exists for so many, and what can be done to mediate that,” Murrell said. “Geography and Urban studies is a nice blend of both the urban studies part, which is like studying that kind of legacy, as well as the geography portions like (how to) interpret how we divide up our space \]and how we build our communities.”

Murrell uses the Broad Street Line most frequently, as it cuts directly through Temple University’s campus, along with the 3 and 16 buses. He notes the difference between Philadelphia’s dominant and established public transit system compared to Savannah’s car-centrism.

“I went back to Savannah, Georgia over the winter break, and one thing that I did when I was there was use public transportation there, because I use it virtually every week or every day while I’m in Philly,” Murrell said. “When I came back, I was like ‘Let me see how it is in comparison to SEPTA. And, I found that I see why my parents never really saw (public transit) as a viable alternative when you’re in a car-dominant space.”

While taking SEPTA is more economically efficient for Murrell than owning a car, he still considers the cost when planning his transportation. Particularly, the increased fare of Regional Rail routes leads him to taking longer, roundabout routes on the subway.

This awareness of transit equity pushed Murrell into advocacy. On Feb. 4, Murrell attended SEPTA’s Transit Equity Day at the Kensington Corridor Trust. Other present organizations included Fifth Square Advocacy, Transit for Philly, Climate Action, and Sierra Club.

“I attended Transit Equity Day as a means of opening myself up to my kind of people. I really liked the overall energy and the mindset circulating around the room. I went there in connection to TU Sustainability. I feel like they really do good work in terms of engaging the community. I did that as a means of engaging myself in the community and exploring advocacy, issues or points of interest in Philadelphia,” Murrell said. “It was an overall positive day, and the perhaps biggest thing that I left off with was a sense for action.”

Soon after, Murrell decided to attend the annual SEPTA board meeting on Feb. 26.

“I saw all these organizations in action, advocating for what they believed in,” Murrell said. “As a freshman studying engagement through urban planning, that was really empowering to see how advocacy can lead to real world alternatives.”

Currently, Temple University does not have UPass. Rather, it participates in the SEPTA Semester Pass Program, which provides a 10% discount for students who opt in, compared to up to an 80% discount with UPass. 

“If I had a U-Pass, one of the first things that I would be doing was going all over Philly and opening myself up to all the options that the city presents. In terms of jobs, that would definitely help  me pay myself through college as somebody coming from out of state,” Murrell said. “It would open up places in the Philadelphia area, as somebody that wants to live here after I graduate. I can go ahead and get a further sense of the overall county and the nearby areas.”

Murrell sees immense opportunity with UPass for commuter students at Temple University and other institutions with in-state and commuter students.

“We see with Philadelphia colleges, there are lots of in-state students. Temple has now begun catering to them, which is good to reduce the overall cost of college at a time where it is rising,” Murrell said. “I feel that if they did do the UPass, they would garner a lot more support and attention from people in the area who wouldn’t have to take out more loans to live on campus or take an hour or two long commute to get to the campus.”