Most commuter rail stations in the United States have ticket vending machines on the station platforms (or in the waiting rooms/concourses) for convenience, because not every station has the amenity of a ticket office with a human ticket agent, and for those that do, the ticket office is usually only open on weekdays during peak hours, hence the reason for the ticket vending machines, or TVMs for short.

But that's not the case with SEPTA Regional Rail.

Apart from the stations in Center City, Philadelphia, almost none of SEPTA's Regional Rail stations have ticket vending machines on the platform (or in the waiting room, for that matter). Literally every other commuter rail network in the United States has ticket vending machines on the station platform, but for whatever reason SEPTA doesn't have the foresight to do that or even provide fare information or anything. 

Not every SEPTA user uses the system on a daily basis, and as for those people who do use it on a daily basis, not all of them have access to a SEPTA Key Card.

In this day and age, that makes absolutely no sense at all. This is unacceptable. Paper tickets should be an option on commuter rail forever and always. Electronic fares cards are not meant for commuter rail. They are meant for buses, trams, and subways.

On a number of occaisions, I have had the honor of riding NJ Transit's commuter rail network, and I love it so much better than SEPTA Regional Rail, the reason being because NJ Transit has ticket vending machines in every single one of their commuter rail stations. This way, passenger can easily purchase a ticket even if the ticket office is closed.

Therefore, it is in my personal opinion that federal law should require all commuter rail stations to put ticket vending machines on the platforms or in the station waiting rooms/concourses. The law should require said ticket machines to dispense both one-way and round trip-tickets with separate fares for children, adults, and senior citizens.

Also, none of SEPTA's stations have waiting rooms that are open during off peak hours. That's not acceptable. Every commuter rail station should have an enclosed waiting room that is open off-peak hours and seven days a week regardless of ridership on the line/system. This way, passengers will be able to stay warm during the winter season and cool during the summer season. And that's another reason why I love NJ Transit's commuter rail network so much. All station waiting rooms are open 7 days a week including off-peak hours.

Sign this petition today if you care about improving public transportation for the greater good!