Gothamist: MTA is Really Good With Money and More Subway News

Matt

Sat, 21 Oct 2006 02:02:09 -0500

or if you are at a station with multiple lines you can alter the trip you are taking (i.e., Atlantic Ave, Union Square, etc.) to get somewhere faster

Why not

Fri, 20 Oct 2006 22:48:16 -0500

it's technological progress.... it can help passengers who are choosing between local and express. it eases the mind of people waiting. if you know a train is coming in 8 minutes, it is a lot easier when you are on the platform than standing there in agony wondering whether it could be 5 or it could be 25 minutes until your train arrives. it's not a matter of doing it because everyone else is doing it... it's a matter of doing it because it is a good idea - one which has been implemented in smaller systems with success.

lame

Fri, 20 Oct 2006 17:13:22 -0500

almost every other major metro station in the world has automated signs that tell you when the next train is coming. shouldnt the self-proclaiemd "capital of the world" do the same? What kind of logic is that? Everyone else is doing it?

mg

Fri, 20 Oct 2006 16:52:54 -0500

It is well known people are willing to wait at least twice as long if they know how long they will be waiting. It takes a lot of stress away from customers when they know how long to expect. I for one cannot WAIT for this system, which pretty much every system has, to come online. These signs will be accompanied by clear, computer-generated automated announcements and text scrolls showing delays and service interruptions as well, helping customers if they need to take a different route.

Mollie

Fri, 20 Oct 2006 16:52:32 -0500

Here's one time signs that tell you when the next train is coming would be helpful: when you're deciding whether to take the local or wait for the express.

ride me

Fri, 20 Oct 2006 16:45:38 -0500

most every other major metro station in the world has automated signs that tell you when the next train is coming. shouldnt the self-proclaiemd "capital of the world" do the same?

Rick

Fri, 20 Oct 2006 15:46:37 -0500

A lot of the stations do have signs posted where you can see them before you swipe through the turnstile.

DogFriedRice

Fri, 20 Oct 2006 15:15:38 -0500

Contract it to me, I will have it done before Chrismas...

question

Fri, 20 Oct 2006 15:11:15 -0500

Can somebody please explain how these signs will improve riding the subway? Once these signs are installed and you are standing on a subway platform, why will it be useful to know if the next train is coming in 2 minutes, 5 minutes, or 10 minutes? You are already down there waiting. How will knowing the time really help? The vast majority of people take the subway when trains run fairly frequently and minimal waiting is involved anyway. I would argue that if the MTA put the signs at the entrance to the station it would be much more useful. If it were late at night and the train was coming in 30 minutes, you could go do something else before entering the station. Once you are on the platform, it is already too late to change your actions based upon when the train is coming. It seems like this specific situation would not apply to most subway riders, so why all the fuss?

Astoriette

Fri, 20 Oct 2006 14:58:25 -0500

OMG. Where did you find that stuffed dog? I want one!