Fraternal Order of Transit Police spokesman Anthony Ingargiola told The Associated Press that members returned to work after the union and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority reached a tentative agreement at about 9 p.m. Friday.
He and agency spokeswoman Jerri Williams said terms are being withheld pending ratification by union members and SEPTA officials. Ingargiola said officials are awaiting details of the agreement, and members would probably vote Monday or Tuesday.
"It was touch and go, but we are pleased that both parties worked very hard to get to an agreement and get our members back to work," he said.
The 219 transit police officers who cover SEPTA's subways, trains, buses and trolleys went on strike March 21, prompting transit officials to announce increased security by supervisors, city police and private security hired by the company.
Ingargiola said transit passengers were "noticeably pleased" to seek the officers back.
"Folks who use the system overnight on weekends are appreciative of having armed sworn officers on the scene," he said.
SEPTA is the nation's sixth-largest public transportation system, with a weekday average of 1.18 million riders. It offers bus, trolley, subway or regional train service in Philadelphia, four surrounding Pennsylvania counties, New Jersey and Delaware.
The system was idled for six days in November 2009 when about 5,000 SEPTA workers walked off the job in a dispute centered around pension benefits.
