Indicators on the Subway and Bus

Yesterday while riding the E train to Queens I noticed a sign that stated that the MTA is offering a service whereby it wants to send weekend subway closure advisories directly by email to your inbox so that you are always in the know about disruptions. While this is a step in the right direction I cant help but wonder why the MTA can't arrange to equip their subway stations and buses with electronic indicators that inform passengers about the arrival of the next train or bus. I have seen them in other cities like London and Singapore then why not in New York which has one of world's oldest and most extensive subway systems? Sure some of the stations have announcers who make periodic
announcements about the approach of a train but most times those announcements are so muffled that nobody has a clue about the status of the said train. Currently most commuters (including yours truly) track a delayed train by almost hanging over the platform and craning their necks in order to catch sight of the red light which indicates the approach of a train wouldn't an electronic indicator be a civilized solution to this problem?
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hhusted 2yrs+
I know what you are talking about. I experience the same thing. Actually, buses have electronic service boards at bus stops. If you stop to take a bus on 34th St, you will notice the waiting area has an electronic gizmo that announces the next bus time. It really is a handy device they installed there. However, I agree those same gadgets should also be installed in the bus as well. The only difference is those gadgets should announce the next stop on the bus route.
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Uraniumfish 2yrs+
Astonishing how medieval the system is in this city in every way. Dirty, rotten, dripping loud and smelly stations. Backward in every way. There are so many small things they could do to improve the experience of being in the subway, and they haven't for years.

You only notice how totally inadequate it all is when you leave the city. Boston and Philly subways are perfectly respectable. Berlin trains are great. Even Paris, which is fairly dirty underground and features the annoyance that trains stop running after a certain hour at night, is nevertheless somehow a glowing specimen compared to new york's system.

I've got a brewing black ball of discontent on this topic, and, yes uptowngirl, there are so many inexpensive and civilized solutions possible that you have to wonder what in the world the authorities do every day over at the MTA.
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DBlack 2yrs+
I can't find where we were talking about this in another post, but those electronic signals that tell you if the subway is coming? I was very proud that they actually installed them in my hood, Crown Heights, though they never seemed to be in any way accurate. Well, now they're just turned off. So much for that!
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NeverSleeps 2yrs+
I would also like some indicators as to what stop the bus is currently stopping at - I can't tell you how many times I've missed a bus stop because I'm not completely familiar with the terrain. Or it would be cool if the buses were outfitted with those interactive maps like the cabs have... I mean, come on people!
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BroadwayBK 2yrs+
@DBlack They installed them only to turn them off? What a waste!
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DBlack 2yrs+
@BroadwayBK Seriously. Now they're on and off, varies on different days. I wonder how long it will take till they actually get this right. I wonder why a decent engineer can't just get this working within a few days.
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uptowngirl 2yrs+
@DBlack ever since I moved to NYC , I have always wondered why the subway stations were not equipped with electronic indicators, they are pretty common all over the world and you would think a city like NYC which has such an extensive subway system would have been equipped with them ages ago.
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hhusted 2yrs+
@Uptowngirl: That's because in America, unlike other countries in the world, there are a lot of greedy and corrupt leaders, politicians, and high-uppers, who want to control everything and also live a lavish lifestyle, to the detriment of others. That is why the subway in NYC is not near as great as that in other states or countries.
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BroadwayBK 2yrs+
@DBlack Because MTA can't afford one? Ha....ha.
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I agree with all of you guys. Compared to everywhere except London (more sensible line system, but terrible service, and particularly bad service on weekends), the NYC subway system is vastly inferior
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DBlack 2yrs+
@BroadwayBK Yeah, and the sad things is, that probably is the reason. Or they think they can't afford a well paid engineer, and then waste so much money by cutting corners. Oh no, I'm complaining about the MTA again!
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hhusted 2yrs+
@DBlack: Go ahead and complain. You need to vent somewhere. It helps to let off steam once in a while.
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hhusted 2yrs+
@Everybody: What I don't understand about the MTA is that last year they announced they had a 30 billion dollar surplus (I believe that was the amount). How could all that money disappear like that, unless something shady is going on at headquarters.
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uptowngirl 2yrs+
@hhusted I just came across this article in the NYT.it lists the many employees of the MTA who draw six figure salaries.and its just not the head honchos but many ordinary people as well..
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/03/nyregion/03mta.html
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hhusted 2yrs+
@Uptowngirl: Oh, so it isn't always the top brass who are dipping too much into the till. I see. Well, maybe an audit should be done with the MTA and all those people with six figures, who really don't do anything worth making that money, should be cut lose or have their wages slashed.
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uptowngirl 2yrs+
@hhusted the more you dig into the MTA , the more murky it seems ..its not transparent at all is it?
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hhusted 2yrs+
@Uptowngirl: No it isn't. You will find corruption is many major corporations. There will usually be a bad apple somewhere in the company. You can't watch everyone.
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