TTC Unveils 'Next Train' Signs To End Suspense Over When Subway Is Coming
Thursday September 4, 2008
CityNews.ca Staff
If you've ever taken the subway, you've likely done it - craned your neck around the corner, peering into the darkness of the tunnel as you waited what seemed like an eternity for your train to arrive.
There are few things more frustrating than standing there looking at your watch as the station remains empty.
The TTC knows that and now they've taken steps to alleviate your pain. Their answer - a simple sign that tells you when the next set of cars are coming and how long you'll have to wait for them.
The concept was unveiled in a test effort at busy Dundas station Thursday. A notice at the bottom of those electronic screens that carry headlines and ads will simply say 'next train coming in' followed by a minute-by-minute countdown clock.
If there's a delay caused by switching problems, a car breakdown or passenger illness, the information about the delay and the length of time you can expect to wait before the next train roars in will be instantly displayed.
TTC chair Adam Giambrone admits it will really help those who travel off peak hours the most. "During rush hour when we're running a train every two minutes - not really too important. [But] possibly to know when we're having problems ... it allows us to communicate this directly to people on the platform."
Giambrone hopes it will also stop people from charging crowded cars, knowing another train is only a minute away.
And that's just the start. The TTC plans to expand the concept and offer an email update on service delays in the near future. And it's also setting up an e-commerce service to buy fares and an Internet planner that can let you set up your entire route before you leave home.
The current experiment looks simple but cost $300,000 to implement. There's no word on when the other advancements will be on line.
What do riders who've seen the countdown clock think? "Hopefully it's accurate," ventures Will Lee, a university student who depends on the subway to get to classes on time. "I think it's great for people who are in a hurry."
Which is most of Toronto.
Amanda Paterson thinks it will have another effect. "Hopefully people will be in a better mood because of it," she laughs.
The test phase will be only at Dundas for the next three months, while the Red Rocket gets feedback and works out any bugs. But it will be in all 69 stations by next year.
