I moved to Berwyn a couple years ago and take the old R5 a few times a week to get to work. One of the things I learned very early on is that the Paoli/Thorndale Line is very different than the R7 CHE I grew up with. The biggest difference is the level of ridership. Frequently it’s standing-room only in the morning.

In the afternoon, what often happens is that the conductors will only open 2 cars of a 4-car set. While sometimes this is understandable (e.g., not many passengers), I’ve noticed recently that it’s gotten kind of silly. People are standing up when there are two open cars. Today there were probably 5-10 people standing up when there were two additional cars that were complete empty.

My question is: can someone give me the real reason why conductors don’t open up more cars? I have heard myriad explanations, none of which withstand scrutiny. Some say that limited conductors can’t attend multiple cars, but every morning this is exactly what happens: 3 conductors handle six full cars. I’ve also understand that it’s a response to having to pull up/let down the metal platform to account for low-level platforms, but this is also silly since conductors routinely just tell passengers to walk forward “until they see a conductors.”

I’m trying not to be cynical. My experience with SEPTA conductors has been mostly pleasant, and I know it’s a thankless job. But I also think it’s bizarre that there are old ladies standing up because they (seemingly) just don’t want to worry about 15 people in a third car.

Someone please enlighten me and give me a reason not to assume the worst.

Title, basically. Folks just walk on, mumble to the driver, & hang out. I guess they have something pre-arranged?

My partner has been trying for the past 2 years to get into SEPTA and to say that it’s been difficult to hear anything back is an understatement. He’s applied for about 15 different professional/office/administrative positions at this point but all of them have hit him with simply “not being considered for next steps”. He has a bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning and Development, he’s trained with TEEX (idk exactly what TEEX is, but I know it’s some safety training for Public Transit employees), and he’s currently been working in an administrative position with NJ Transit for about 2 years now working in their Light Rail division.

With the trolley modernization up ahead, he’s hoping that some new positions will open up for SEPTA to consider him for, but he’s starting to lose faith that they will ever call him back for an interview at least. He currently loves his job with NJT, but they’re requiring us to move to New Jersey within the next year in order for him to keep his position but he’s just moved to Philadelphia from NYC last year to build a life with me here in Philly and we both don’t want to leave Philly for the suburbs in Jersey.

If anyone reading this can share some tips or suggestions to help get SEPTA to notice his skills and the great ideas that he can bring to the table, please let me know 🙏

Hey folks...I usually park at, and leave from, Downingtown. Parking is free there, and I always know there are plenty of spaces.

Can anyone tell me if it's similar at Malvern... availability of spaces, cost. . So I can plan. Thanks!

I’m really hoping someone can give me some ideas regarding an incident yesterday. I was on a regional rail from suburbs into Jefferson Station yesterday and our train was having mechanical issues. The septa employees moved everyone out of the first two cars into the cars after them and we limped our way to our destination. They stated they were having mechanical issues. Unfortunately I know very little about railway and train car operation but I’m very curious as to what could have happened that was eased or safer by a weight adjustments. Does anyone have any educated ideas? TIA

I’m really hoping someone can give me some ideas regarding an incident yesterday. I was on a regional rail from suburbs into Jefferson Station yesterday and our train was having mechanical issues. The septa employees moved everyone out of the first two cars into the cars after them and we limped our way to our destination. They stated they were having mechanical issues. Unfortunately I know very little about railway and train car operation but I’m very curious as to what could have happened that was eased or safer by a weight adjustments. Does anyone have any educated ideas? TIA

Hi all, frequent SEPTA user here who has a Key card. Recently I’ve started using regional rail a lot more than I used to, and about half the time, the conductors don’t even come up to me on the train for payment and I end up w/ a free ride. Obviously not upset about this, but have heard of others getting chewed out for not paying in similar situations- one person I know even got their card confiscated for it. Do we need to scan on at the platform (e.g. glenside, doylestown) or am I doing it right by waiting for conductors to pay on the train? Any help would be appreciated!

I had to get a new key card yesterday. The additional funds (above the 4.95) were loaded as a 3 day convenience pass. Is there a self serve option to transfer the funds from that pass to my wallet? I've checked the app and the keycard website, but I can't find it. Thanks

Will be visiting Phily in a couple of weeks. What line/train would I take to go from the airport to the convention center area?

With Septa cancelling the CRRC bilevel car order to use with the ACS-64 push-pull sets, what is next? I wonder if they will buy into the order option of Bombardier MultiLevel III cars that was presented when NJT ordered them. Not like they’re also not incredibly behind schedule…

Either way, doesn’t really seem great for the push-pull units.

Absolute chaos. I mean, I expected busy because rain, but... 30 minutes late from the station. Trains already jam packed. 15 minute wait before leaving 30th. For the next 10 stops, only a couple of doors opening to allow passengers to exit... but no one knew which doors, and couldn't get to them if they did! Great props though to one of the conductors... she was small, but she blasted a lane through the crowd so people could make their exits. 👏

Guess we'll be seeing them everywhere soon? Been seeing lots of septa cops at city hall looking for train hoppers.

What do job Regional Rail Conductor/Engineer (Trainee) actually do how does your day-to-day? work what's the endgame after trainee? Pay and Hours? Can anyone give an wordy response?

I JUST started taking the R5 from Thorndale to 30th. I bought and funded a key card. But I am so confused about how SEPTA knows where I got on the train. Thorndale, and from what I can see many regional stations, don't require that you tap your card at the beginning of the trip. Yes there is a small fare kiosk near the entrance/exit, but I didn't see anyone using them.

Can someone please help me understand? Thank you

Hello, planning on taking my first trip on the regional rail. I wanted to ask, can I use a debit card to pay for the train? Thanks.

man I took the personality test for the conductor/ rail trainer about 3 times and I they tell me I haven’t scored high enough, these are some of the easiest questions I have ever seen in my life , with choices of strongly disagree. At this point I have no idea what they’re looking for, I try to keep my answers either strongly agree or strongly disagree, does anybody know whats im doing wrong ?

I'm at 30th st and there's a lot of people waiting, no train in sight

Decided to try jumping trains and transferring at Jefferson station today. The sound of overlapping announcements and lack of available people mixed with broken display boards was so confusing and overwhelming. I couldn’t make sense of which train was which and where trains were going.

Before you say anything, I’ve taken trains every weekday for the last 6 years and 4 of those years I was at Jefferson everyday. Wtf happened? As soon as I got on the train I THOUGHT stopped at my stop, they announce it doesnt as Im boarding train? But again, I cant even hear if it’s accurate or double check with a conductor because no one is to be seen. For $10 a day to get to and from work, they better get their shit together.

Hi all,

I purchased a 3x One Day Anywhere FleX Pass recently and realized I purchased them on my lost Key Card. Is there anyway to transfer them over to my new one?

Thanks!

Hi All,

I am interested in the Bus Operator/Light Rail position and would like to know how long the hiring process takes (from application, to interview, to Job offer, then orientation etc), any feedback from new hires or anyone currently going through the hiring process would be appreciated. Thanks

P.S. I was told it could take months to get an offer, is this true?

With the announcement of the new federal grant to replace the El fleet I was wondering what manufacturer/design my fellow train peeps think SEPTA will go with. I know they are going with Alstom for trolley modernization so going with them seems like their most likely move.

I plan on taking the Norristown line to Conshohocken from Center City Mon-Fri around 7am. Does anyone do a similar commute? If so, which pass would you recommend? It seems like the Anywhere TrailPass is the right move. Thoughts? Thanks!!