I agree septa is terribly confusing. I grew up outside Chicago and was able to navigate that system very easily during my first time going downtown on my own. I've travelled to many cities in the US and abroad, and was able to navigate pretty well...with some hiccups, but generally able to get where I was going. Philly transit is mega confusing. RR by itself is fine, although it takes some getting used to, BSL on its own is fine, although buying a fare is a PITA. Trolleys on their own are fine. Busses are a nightmare and I have never felt confident going anywhere if a bus is involved. Septa is very disjointed, and there is no good system map IMO. I hate riding it unless it's single mode or a very simple single transfer trip. E.g. RR to suburban station and hop on the BSL. There is also no good single hub. Even 30th doesn't really connect to anything.

Here is a good example of the differences.

Septa maps (most detailed I could find, which I don't think I've ever seen posted at a station)

https://www5.septa.org/wp-content/uploads/travel/map-transit-network.pdf

https://www5.septa.org/wp-content/uploads/travel/map-philadelphia-transit-street.pdf

CTA map (this is posted at every station and major bus stops )

https://www.transitchicago.com/maps/system/