While finding love on your morning commute to work or school might not be on your daily agenda, many Philadelphia-area love stories have started on the city’s rails, buses and trolleys — and this Valentine’s season, SEPTA wants to hear all of them, including those from same-sex couples.
SEPTA Love Stories is a contest for all local couples who met their partners, or rekindled old love, aboard the transit system.
Couples can submit their stories, along with accompanying photos and videos, online, and the entries that get the most votes from the public will be chosen for a Valentine’s Day weekend adventure. Top vote-getters will board a specially decorated “Love Train” that will follow the Mural Arts Program’s “Love Letters” display, followed by a champagne reception.
Submissions and voting will be open until 11:59 p.m. Feb. 6.
The contest, now in its third year, has always been open to couples of all backgrounds, said SEPTA director of media relations Jerri Williams, but this is the first year that same-sex couples have submitted stories.
“We’re excited because SEPTA serves all of Philadelphia, all of the five-county region, and we want to make sure all of our passengers and riders are part of everything we do,” she said. “We’re very happy that our gay and lesbian passengers feel comfortable sharing their love stories with us.”
There were more than two-dozen stories so far posted on the site as of presstime that tell tales of dating, weddings and, for one lesbian couple, a recent adoption.
Williams said SEPTA is eager for the contest to represent the diverse body of transit riders it serves.
“We want to serve everyone equally and we’re very excited that we have couples sending us stories no matter their orientation, age, race. Love is all good.”
To submit or vote on stories, visit www.septalovestories.org.