Historicist: Life in Wartime
Elsewhere in the Ist-a-Verse
The TTC installed the first "Next Train Arrival" display at Dundas Station yesterday, with TTC Chair Adam Giambrone unveiling the addition to the OneStop screens. At the southbound platform, the text sat humbly along the bottom of the screen, as if it didn't dare disturb the advertisements above. While Giambrone fully admitted that the TTC is often "one step behind" other transit systems, he said that they make up for it by giving "one hundred and twenty percent" when they do get around to improvements. He especially emphasized new exciting areas of TTC-related "e-commerce, e-mail alerts," and other words beginning with "E."
This is among the first improvements that may make the TTC begin to resemble North York's well-liked VIVA transit. Giambrone also announced that similar displays would be installed at bus and streetcar stops beginning in 2009, with real-time information on the TTC (e-)website as well. While we still want the soothing blue seats of the VIVA and more time-based transfers like along St. Clair West, this is nevertheless a step towards making the TTC the Less Harrowing Way. And for the next ninety days, you have the pleasure of deciding whether to wait the five minutes or walk four blocks to St. Patrick Station.
Photo by Laura Sutula
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I'm happy to see this feature implemented onto subway platforms. There have been many times waiting at St. George for the eastbound train when I've wondered if walking to Yonge would make more sense than waiting around.
Just a small observation though: VIVA doesn't operate in North York (which is part of the TTC's area); it's York Region's bus system.
the TTC is a sad, sad company.
their motto should be: "We're trying! Honest!"
to be honest, i blame Mr Moscove on the lack for foresite the company has.
so many things frustrate me about the TTC, that i would need 30 minutes to type it out. but some of the things that need to be fixed:
-misappropriation of property. they whine they are bloody broke, yet they have prime real estate in areas like Yonge and Eglinton that are sitting empty. want a few million dollars? sell your old bus depos!
-the disgusting condition of the stations. St Patrick's with its mystery mold on the walls. missing ceiling fixtures. most stations look like they've survived earthquakes.
-apathetic employees. TTC: "The Better Way"...to make money hand over fist and have a wicked benefit package. yet, ticket collectors seem to loathe their jobs and the public. why?
North York's well-liked VIVA transit?
For some reason North America (toronto being among the first) got this feature, like, 15 years after europe.
Anyway, it's really nice. I wish Chicago would catch on.
atomeyes:
the TTC will actually be revamping their property development department in the fall. Three new positions will be created and the TTC will specifically look at which properties they need and which they can sell/market to developers. Old bus depots, parking lots and other properties will be considered, specifically because many of them are prime real estate. Who wouldn't love to build an office building on top of a TTC parking lot next to a station?
"often" is an understatement.
I gotta say, this is pretty useless for the subway. They could just as easily put up a hand-written sign that says, "Next train: Less than 6 minutes."
Next train times are really only useful when there is a variation between when the next train is, and in systems where you have to wait longer than 4 minutes for the next train.
Looking forward to the surface vehicle info, though.
I saw this 'next train coming in X" thing in the London subway in '98.
Contest! Who can outdo these "I saw this in [city] in [year]"? Did you see train alerts in New York in 1972? In Paris in 1988? Or ancient Sumer in 3500BC? Please share, because ... we care.
I'm happy they got around to these sooner rather than later. Like others, I'll be even happier once they have these for streetcar stops.
that thing is going to work accurately for about 3 seconds
People are going to shit bricks when this thing doesn't work properly and chances are it won't. In Montreal at McGill metro station the times are inaccurate more often than not and on Vancouver's B-Line the next bus technology is pretty suspect.
and the only thing these signs do is actually calm people down. nothing is more stressful than the great unknown.
so knowing that a train is coming in 5-7 minutes does indeed relieve that stressful feeling
^agreed.
Adam Giambrone is such a shameless self-promoter. He really gets under my skin whenever he speaks, or whenever i see him!
^^I'd rather have a shameless self-promoter who actually gets things done (Giambrone) instead of someone who is simply shameless (Moscoe)
What a waste of money! Unless there's an announcement over the P.A. describing a prolonged delay you can pretty much be certain that a train will come within 10 minutes. People ought to learn to be a little more patient. I'm not sure how much this cost but maybe the money for this project could have been used to clean up the grimy trains and stations or put into a fund dedicated to paying for the purchase of more vehicles. But I do agree with Kevin Bracken, this would be a good idea for surface routes.
Honestly, when the city spends money on such decadent things I find it impossible to believe that its as cash strapped as council claims.
VIVA does go into Toronto, in the area close to its northern border. However, it does not "belong" to the North York area; as Miller said, it's York Region.
Wow, Miller actually said that Viva was North York's transit system? Sad. Not even those in power are honest enough to admit that a suburban region is doing better than them in the transit front.
I was happy to see this addition. Washington has had them for as long as I can recall and only recently did New York put up its first set on the L line (which was a poor decision but you can see who they cater too). Both cities have accurate timing and never have those time-telling signs slighted me, but the general operation of the subway has. Whoever said that they have a calming effect is right.
What I'd really, really like to see is heated bus and streetcar stops. And more elevators.
Anyway, thanks TTC for not spending your money horrifically. Props.
excellent.. next step: use this info towards a comprehensive online trip planner
These are awesome!
I'm willing to bet atomeyes99 campaigned for Mayor Miller the second time around.