It's amazing that it took one of the top cities in the world to finally get a system in place to tell passengers when the next subway will be coming along. The long wait might just be over. Here's the latest from the MTA:A and C Line customers headed downtown from six stations in Washington Heights and Harlem will benefit from a new pilot project testing the delivery of next train arrival information similar to that now in service along the L line and recently deployed in several Bronx stations on the 6.
While plans are in place to activate customer information signs at all of the stations on the numbered subway lines by next year, the same technology does not exist on the lettered lines, requiring innovative solutions to provide the same information to customers. The PA/CIS (Public Address/Customer Information Screen) pilot in operation along a northern segment of the Eighth Avenue Line utilizes previously installed electronic signs in four stations, tying them in with existing infrastructure. The initial phase of the pilot will provide next train arrival information at 181st, 175th, 168th, 163rd, 155th, and 145th Street Stations. While audio announcements will be available at all six stations, Customer Information Screens will be up and running at the four southernmost stations only.
This was one of my favorite things about the Tube in London. That and the huge maps painted on the walls. Our system may be advanced but it has a long way to go.
ReplyDeleteGood news. You would also think someone at the local cell providers would provide access underground. I would definitely pay extra to be able to keep in touch. Right now, taking the subway is a communications "black hole".
ReplyDeleteI would pay to prevent you from getting access to your cell on the train. I really don't want to hear a bunch of people on their cells phones in the subway.
ReplyDeleteYou'll change your tune the first time there's an emergency and you're stuck underground.
ReplyDeleteThose signs are much less useful than the ones on the L train. The L train signs need only a quick glance to see WHEN the train is arriving. These cycle through two line messages so you end up not bothering waiting for the sign
ReplyDeleteTrain arriving - Local Track
Approximately 4 minutes.
should read
Downtown C - 4 min
Downtown A - X min
I agree with the poster above me. And why they can't let you know when a D or and A is coming - it would help so we don't have to straddle the staircase all the time.
ReplyDeleteYes, is it the A or D? Typical can't-get-it- right MTA. If they want a brief message, just cut off the part at the end about staying away from the edge and tell us if it's an A or D. Also, they'll skip announcing a local if the express is on its way, so you have to scramble for the tiny C while you're expecting an A. Why is the C so short, for heaven's sake?
ReplyDelete