From the rail perspective only (not a bus rider) - SEPTA is a lot less user friendly than the NYC system. I’ve lived in both places and I’ve found the public transportation in NYC to actually be convenient at times. Understood there is more people, but Philly lacks train stops in general and especially transit hubs. If you live in the extremities of the city, you always have to take the rail into the center and then back out. When I lived on the outskirts of queens, sure I’d have to transfer, but I could go in multiple directions, instead of just into the center, and then out again.