Like many of you, I spend a significant part of my day commuting on trains. In major cities like Philadelphia, and I am sure in many of yours as well, many commuter rail stations use automated announcements to signal the arrival of trains. While some stations adroitly combine these automated announcements with human announcers during the rushes hour, it is my firm belief that all train stations should uniformly use human announcers irrespective of the time.

The prime reason being that automated announcements are not always accurate. This lack of accuracy often leads to confusion and unnecessary stress among commuters. The solution I propose - employing human announcers 24/7 - won't just resolve this issue, it'd also contribute positively to our economy.

Having human announcers throughout the operational hours doesn't require any specific set of skills, making it an ideal source of employment for the less fortunate among us, including the homeless. In 2020, it was estimated that more than 567,000 people experience homelessness on any given night in the U.S (National Alliance to End Homelessness). Providing employment to these individuals as train announcers would be a step in the right direction in solving this problem.

Last time I was at SEPTA's Jefferson Station, three passengers missed an Airport Line train to the Philadelphia International Airport because the automated announcement inaccurately reported that the train was coming in on Track 3, when in reality, it came in on Track 4. I was incredibly infuriated upon witnessing this, and I called SEPTA customer service desk to complain. But, they did squat. Unbelievable.

Therefore, I implore you to join me in pushing for a mandate for human announcers in all train stations. This change would not only enhance the experience of millions of commuters but also contribute significantly towards reducing homelessness and unemployment. Please, sign this petition, and let's improve our commuting experience together.