Suburban — Local services in Philadelphia

Had a run in w/ a septa cop. I work across the street from the entrance on the corner of 18th st. Which is closed. Normally I wouldn't take it cause I'm not a rule breaker. But I watch people use it all day everyday. Well today it was raining, I don't have an umbrella, and as I was standing outside the awning of my building smoking a cigarette, preparing myself to brave the elements, I see some ppl use the entrance in question so decide I too will use the entrance in question to avoid the rain. I was the only one who got accosted by this over zealous police. He approached me very loud and rude. Asking me why I used that entrance. Let me partially answer the question before cutting me off with a sarcastic question. So I went to turn around to leave that exit and use another, he stopped me again and told me it was unnecessary. And then I watched as a gentleman walked past me to leave the same way I entered. Did he get yelled at or stopped? Not at all. The officer did inform me that he would be locking the door, which I told him was a really good idea and it probably should've been done. So I'm not sure if it was because I'm a woman, or because I'm a white woman, or maybe he was having a bad day bc again, he certainly did not approach or scold any of the brown skinned gentlemen I also saw using that...

The underground network of corridors with dozens of exits (way too often closed seemingly without any signs/logic) can be a little intimidating to navigate and eerie on slow days and early on weekends, especially for tourists. I've literally ran into a girl desperate to get out of it once on a weekend, which was a bit humorous. Homeless are ever present (especially in the winter), there are some lower price range restaurants, cafes and retail businesses down there, which often closed early. It doesn't help that the only building with Suburban Station prominently displayed above the entrance is actually a privately owned commercial building (across from the Love Park) that is closed to visitors on weekends, when hapless tourists in a rush to catch a train try to storm it. If all else fails, the entrance in front of the city hall is usually open, but it is a bit of a walk to get back to the regional rail section from subway. There is a ticket office, that closes for the late hours, as well as automated kiosks. Turnstiles have been introduced by Septa more than a few years ago now, in a bit of a clumsy fashion, leading to them looking as an out-of-place afterthought. You'll need a ticket to get inside the regional rail boarding platform, and depending on the destination, you may need it to get out, so don't lose...

It serves its purpose as a train station well enough. However this is a really rundown station. The platforms are very old and dated looking. Not much for aesthetics there. Up the stairs is the area with all the shops, bathrooms and kiosks. The kiosks are such time wasters which is more of a septa issue than a station issues. However not all forms of payment can be used and youll have to start over if you cant use yours. The whole station is in disrepair. The celing leaks. The lights are a dated yellowish color. The bathrooms are badly placed next to a few food stalls. Its gross but I do not want a pretzel or donut while being blasted with the stench of urine. I would never eat anything from there. Not even under the comcast tower where it looks decently clean. I can imagine rats and roaches run around the counters at night. Its sad because this is such an important station and it doesn't look good. Its unsanitary and frankly just depressing to be...