34 trolley
I ride the 34 trolley to work almost every day. I have to say, the service is pretty good! Between 7:30am and 9am, the run very frequently. I've also noticed that trolley drivers to not hesitate to pause for a second is someone is running down the block, trying to catch it. Compare that to SEPTA bus drivers, who often will barely slow down at scheduled stops, let alone allow someone to catch up.

27 bus
The 27 bus, which I take to work every day, used to always be a double-long bus, and frequently was under-full, which was great for us riders. Now that ridership has increased, though, four out of five are regular-size buses that are packed with people. Also, rather than being staggered, the two 27s (to Barren Hill and to Plymouth Meeting) usually come about three minutes apart, leading to one packed and one nearly empty, and a ridiculously long wait for the next pair. Why can't SEPTA work this out to serve riders better?

Good system
Philadelphia is one of only a handful of American cities with a full-scale public transportation system. While not quite as robust as NY or Chicago's trasnit, SEPTA has done pretty well at utilizing an aged rail infrastructure, keeping equipment and vehicles updated, expanding where possible, and keeping fares competitive. It's far from perfect, but considering the multitude of challenges, internal and external, it serves the city and its surrounds pretty well.

66 Trolleybus, not enough service
AM and PM rush service is so standing room only, I have to walk to Frankford (from Mayfair). So tired of standing-room-only buses. Is there any chance SEPTA could purchase accordion electric trolleybuses for this route? We need them.

Customer svc getting better; still too much trash
I use R2 Warminster, R5 (both routes), Market-Frankford El, Broad Street Line, and the 13 and 34 trolleys. The trash pick-up at stations varies dramatically. It's much better on weekdays. It's appalling to see overflowing trash cans and wind blowing the trash around on weekends or after major holidays/sporting events, etc. Why can't SEPTA's janitorial services have written into their contracts that they have to work EXTRA (not less) on weekends? At least SEPTA is getting better at posting news advisories and keeping riders informed.

Signage outside Market East is awful
Recently I walked down Market Street at 8 p.m. The corridor there is very pedestrian-unfriendly, with most buildings closed and the streets very dark. The problem is compounded when you get to the Gallery and there are NO SIGNS pointing you toward the SEPTA entrance. I've been down there a number of times on weekday and weekend evenings, and there are often people hanging around who hassle you. Given that environment (which is not under SEPTA's control), why can't there be very clear signs that point tourists, visitors, and other SEPTA users to the open, unlocked doors? It's hard to find these doors, especially if you are not familiar with the area, and if you are trying not to look lost in front of drunk or aggressive people who are hassling you. The unlocked doors are several blocks away and through a poorly lit tunnel-like area near Filbert St. -- could there at least be a clear set of signs to guide you there?

Air On Buses
They ned to run the AC when the bus is full. It can become humid and unbearable. I am sick of the stale stench on the buses too. They need to run the fan at all times to circulate some fresh air but some drivers are clueless.

unreliable and expensive
SEPTA is very unreliable and very expensive for the service available. Unless you are traveling during the traditional rush hour, you wait an unrealistic amount of time to catch a bus. The schedules mean nothing! Compared to NYC and DC, Philadelphia is not a public transportation friendly city. Service is very limited to certain areas of the city, route detours without signage, and overcrowded buses. The SEPTA passes should be more user friendly. Monthly cards should be one month from the date of issue, cards should be refillable, kiosks should be in every station. Take a look at MTA's MetroCard!

Accordion Buses
In one respect these double-length buses solve an overcrowding problem at rush hour - not enough seats. Be that as it may, it is incredibly stupid to send them out when snow and ice is on the ground. I have had to weave in and around them as they are stuck at odd angles without a prayer of geting free without a towtruck. SEPTA get your collective heads out from where the sun doesn't shine and use regular buses when winter conditions warrant it.

17 bus am commute
Love the high frequency of am service along the 17 - even if the buses are full running at 3 minute headways! Kim - when are we going to see live bus information???

West Philly trolleys
I am someone who is consistently upset with SEPTA service in West Philly. I do know that SEPTA is covering a lot of ground with an antiquated system but my complaints boil down to a few consistent problems. 1. Weekend service is terrible. I wish there was more service on the weekend nights. Getting to Center City and back is a trip rife with chance. 2. Service issuees with few alternatives. The other night I tried to come back from a Phillies game and the trolleys were not running. I was told to take the Market Line which dropped me at 40th to wait for the trolleys. My trolley did not come. If I had more warning going, I would have planned better. Can't SEPTA put up notices on the trolleys? It doesn't help me if I am told once I get somewhere and am unable to get back. 3. Little communication between operators and passengers. I was on a trolley the other day which sat in the tunnel during rush hour for 30 minutes. The driver never updated us so people began leaving the train. Often my R2 train is late in the morning, with no explanation as well. If there is a delay, can't someone let us know? I'm upset that I have to pay for non-service. New York refunds. 4. Clerks at kiosks. I have never found them helpful. I can't buy tokens from them. They also seem to "close" early, with the operator telling me he can't let me through. It's extremely rude that operators will be on cellphones when I am asking for help. Please, bring down our prices and get rid of them, or make them helpful.

Adequate
SEPTA does an adequate job. more offpeak and late night service on subways and Regional Rail (sundays).

Good samaritan driver
My car was hit by a hit and run driver. I tried to run after the car as he sped away but I couldn't catch him. A Septa driver pulled over and provided me with the info on the car including make and model. That was critical info. In all of the excitement, I don't remember if I thanked him. The police were able to track down the driver. There are some good Septa bus drivers out there. We shouldn't lump them all together.

R5 Paoli-Thorndale
Although I no longer work in the city, SEPTA is the only way to go when you live 30 miles west of the city. There are SEPTA "moments" when there are long delays and trains break down, but 90% of the time, trains run on time. My only complaint was not being informed about why there was a delay and an approximate time when we would again be underway. Other than this, Philadelphia and its suburbs has one of the best public transportation systems in the country.

noise
i ride the 57 whitman plaza between cell phone users ip;s and then if the bus driver is cracking gum i just can't wait to get off the bus. as many as 5-7 or more and loud users on the cell ridiculous some conversations i do not need to know and don't they realize that these buses are neighborhood thing also. telling things about husbands/boyfriends etc. i don't use the cell on the bus not only am i telling everybody my business but i'm also repeating the person on the other ends business. will there ever be a quiet bus like the train. can't people not talk for what 10 to 15 minutes from market to wolf or whitman .... looking for another route.

Constructive Criticism
We are listening. Thanks to those that have noticed efforts to improve how our basic business practices. More than ever before, our customers expect us to share information with them. "Service" means more than just operating buses, trains and trolleys. Call 580-7800 or use online contact form to share anythings at anytime!Some quick feedback to posts: EastChestnut: I will request 66 checks to confirm consistent crowding. Amanda: Plz report specifics when you see dirty stations/vehciles. I will make sure issues are addressed. Met last week with Center City District staff to plan for Market East banners to make entrances more visible. Emanol: Can we get better? Absolutely! Bus/trolley On-time-performance is about 77% systemwide; Railroad/Subway in mid 90's. Our fares are about middle of the pack, nationwide. Our New Payment Technology project will replace the antiquated system now in place, and improve upon MetroCard which the MTA realizes has serious limitations. TomH: Our snow plan does call for some lines to convert from articulated buses (accordian) to 40 footers, as well as detorus from neighborhoods where streets are narrow, tight turns and low-priority for plowing. However, there are very few extra 40s just sitting around, and taking them from other customers isn't fair. PhillyResident19146: Busview is getting closer. We are validating data and presntation formats. I hope by next month! Jogetzoff: Your observations are valid and will be checked. All of October we are diverting trolleys on weekends. Non-regular riders often are unaware. We need to do better here, especially with the World Series coming back to town! MrsNewless: Drivers can only turn the air/heat on and off, they cannot regulate it. That is a shop function so when there is a problem..call 580-7800 with the vehicle number. The drivers should also report the problem, but honestly, what he/she feels in the front is not always the same as what you feel in the back. Spirited: We are trying to address obnoxious cell phone behavior as part of our Passenger Etiquette Campaign. I'm afraid its a long, up hill. battle. Everyone else: Thanks for your postive comments and ideas! KSH AGM-customer service & advocacy

spotty service, terrible customer service
Why does SEPTA cry that it doesn't have money but it pays people (high paying union jobs no less) to sit behind a counter and NOT give out change - especially in stations without machines. Speaking of, why are there not machines in every station? Why can't you buy a train ticket at a machine - and are then forced to pay an absurd surcharge for buying on the train? How annoying and inconvenient is that? SEPTA regional trains are also a total rip off. $3.50 to the city from Manayunk? That's obscene. And the buses? How about better communication so the bus driver knows what alternate routes to take. I was on a bus yesterday that instead of taking the highway, decided to take an alternate route, which would have been ok had the bus driver thought to confirm that the alt route was actually better. Instead, it took about an hour to go from Roxborough to 34th/Market b/c we were in bumper-to-bumper no-moving-at-all traffic on Ridge Ave/33rd Street to the Girard St. Bridge. And the subways? They are filthy and the subway stations all smell like urine. plain and simple: SEPTA sucks. I use it (and I have a car), but SEPTA sucks. And if you've ever spent significant time using mass trans in NYC or in Europe, SEPTA is even worse.

Accordion Buses Part 2
From Phila Business Journal 10/19/09: >The 40 hybrid buses that SEPTA is buying with $17.8 million in federal stimulus funds will be delivered through next year by New Flyer of America Inc., SEPTA said Monday< Constructice Criticism stated that there are very few 40 foot buses sitting around. Well, here you go - you'll soon have 40 more freed up by the hybrids. Problem solved! (?)

Always something
I ride the El, the 42 and 21 and other buses regularly. The 42 is frequently late, causing 2 and 3 buses to arrive at once, with them deciding which one should stop and pick up waiting patrons. The drivers often carry the traditional bad attitude Septa is known for but to make matters worse is the crowd on the bus - why do they have seats and then assume everyone can "move to the back"? Standing up holding on to small straps above our heads or other ppls seats while the drivers whip their wheels and slam on their brakes to express their frustrations? I can't tell you how many times I've seen someone fall - I've had my finger jerked out of place trying to hang on as the driver sped around the corner taking it like a gangster and my finger was ripped out of place. I've also suffered many bangings and aches and pains and am appalled this is allowed. Can septa balance between riders right to a comfortable and timely ride and the drivers need to express their anger w/traffic and bus crowds? Why do they have the right to assume youj're in good enough physical health to stand for your ride? And please, before addressing anything with cell phone calls - please address funky, dirty passengers, drivers with attitudes, late buses, drivers who have the temperature on blast (either cold or hot) because they are riding w/no coat and we're coming from the street or they ride w/a sweater and we're freezing to death because we just jumped on in street clothes. Cell phones? That's a city wide problem that septa shouldn't even be concerned with. How about the beggars that wanna either preach or ask you for money or sell their incense and oils, cds or dvds? how about ppl who think the bus patrons are their babysitters and it's their turn to take a break while their kids scream, cry and whine? how about getting us to stops on time especially during rush hours and on weekends when scheduled buses just don't arrive?

Try doing without
I'm not from Philadelphia but I've lived here for over 25 years now & I don't have a car. So many people have complaints about having to wait or some trash or rude passengers. Just think what it would be like if there was no transportation system. You wouldn't be able to get to work, school, sporting events, shopping, church, or anywhere if you didn't live within walking distance or own a car. So the system's not perfect - what is? Be thankful for knowing that almost every time you need to get somewhere, SEPTA will be there for you.

Gave up the car
Before I even got the chance to start taking SEPTA on a regular basis I was taking The Tube in London. It was my only means of transportation in that city. You just dont drive in London. So after my second trip there, I wrote an article about how SEPTA "could" be as good as London's transit system. This letter was based off an assumption. Well, I had the unfortunate act of having my license taken away for a year. Bad decision on my part. So there I was, literally at the mercy of SEPTA. So for 12 months, I took buses to work and trains to see friends and family. I loved it. I loved every minute of it. From the 61, 65, 62, & 38 around the city and manayunk. To the R6 to Center City & Market East. And on occassion the bus or train out to Delco to see friends and family. That is literally 365 days a year. I have not had one problem, altercation, rude behavior or bad customer service. Today, I can drive if I want to. I have chosen to sell my vehicle, drop my insurance, and now take SEPTA everywhere. The best thing is, as a driver, the people and buildings living around me were just a blur as I commuted back and forth. Now, I actually stop and try to appreciate the city sunset, the diversity in the city, and all the great architecture that surrounds us. I think SEPTA does a GREAT job. And I've been to the big cities. London, Chicago, NYC. SEPTA does just as good a job as all of those large metros. If you have issues with SEPTA, don't take it. That just leaves more room for the people that have to stand sometimes. Keep up the good work!!!

Rudeness? Not in my experience
What's the story with the consistent complaints of SEPTA employee rudeness? In 3+ years of using SEPTA, I've infrequent experienced passenger rudeness, but never really seen/experienced "rudeness" from a SEPTA employee. I'm mostly a bus rider (17, 33, cross-town all of them, sometimes trolley, sometimes subway). Is this in reference mostly to station agents? Also - I don't usually interact with SEPTA staff other than hi/thanks/have a good day. What necessary interactions are ppl having with SEPTA staff that they even get to experience rude behavior?

Schedule info on phone
SEPTA has an automated phone system for getting schedule info for routes -- yet it's not available all the time. A number of times I've called at night and gotten a message that "customer service is now closed, call back during business hours" -- this shouldn't be an issue with an automated system. It should be placed on a separate phone number and made available 24/7.

Use a Schedule
My experience shows me that typically those who complain about SEPTA don't use a schedule, they simply go to the corner/station and expect service in 5 mins or less. I take, like tons of Philadelphians, a bus to and from work...for me that's a 3:21am bus, the 37, and it is like clockwork-both directions.

Not world class
Just got back from a trip to London. The Tube system (Mind the gap!) and the buses are what make that city truly world class. Fast, frequent, and on time. A little expensive if you don't buy an Oyster pass (smart card) but worth it. And a smart card payment system is one thing that could really make a difference for SEPTA. I know, they're "working on it", but it's been endlessly delayed. They key is to make it usable on connecting transit systems as well, such as regional rail and NJ Transit.

Plan Your Trip
I also gave up driving, and have now gone 2 1/2 years w/ SEPTA for my commute. I've found that no matter where I want to go, I can get there via Mass transit. I use Plan your trip extensively, and it works, but sometimes misses some connections that could reduce travel times. (example, it misses the fact that the 18 stops at Olney Trans Center, and has you transfer to the 26, even though that is not necessary. It also misses that you can transfer between the Broad St. Line, and the Regional lines at N. Broad.) This is not a complaint, as much as a advisory to those who use it. Use it as a guide, but with some experience, you can find "shortcuts" to save you even more time. If you've never used it, give it a try, you may find a quicker ride!

Two other things...
One, re: the Plan Your Trip comment by turkytom -- There's a street and transit map that they sell. It should be on the website. That way you can check out a location and see exactly which lines are nearest. Two: NO STRIKE. For many reasons, public transit is now as essential as police and fire departments, and strikes should not be allowed that would shut down transit systems.

Location as opposed to transportation
I use my bike almost everywhere I go; septa is secondary; last resort is always a taxi. SEPTA is really not to terrible of a public transit system. Sure, we only have two main subway lines (excluding the trolleys), but we have buses galore. Of course, next to SEPTA and biking, walking to work is always nice, but you have to be close enough for it to be feasible. Sometime relocating, therefore, can allay and looming worries about SETPA quality of service, or, as is the case presently, if they're are going to strike. I read a really good article by Al Heavens, the Inquy's real estate columnist (maybe some of you are familiar?) and he's been demarcating the reasons why it's prime time to relocate. Testimonials in this article, too, check it out: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/al_heavens/20091101_On_the_House__First-time_buyers_lift_home_sales.html.

Wrong for taxpayers
Septa union workers, wrong for taxpayers, wrong for Philadelphia. They are at will employees at this point, no contract, they are like everyone else. The State can takeover Septa or Septa can declare bankruptcy and restructure. Why do you need a union in this day and age, OSHA is for work rules and EEOC is for wage/discrimination disputes, you are paying union dues for what. As long as they are paid with State and Federal funds, they can be let go.

Right for taxpayers
Septa union workers, right for taxpayers, right for Philadelphia. They are not at will employees at this point, yes they have a contract, they are like everyone else in a Union. The State runs Septa or Septa can be more transparent about the money since it is a "Quasi-Government Agency". Why do you need a union in this day and age? OSHA is for work rules which are slow at best, and underfunded as well as underhanded and EEOC is for wage/discrimination disputes, you are paying union dues for what? Oh to do more than the usual bare minimum for Americans rights at the Work place. As long as they are paid with State and Federal funds, they can be let go. But thank God they have a Union that protects the safety of the workers and the public. Posted by concerns25 who has no clue.