arrival schedules boost metro rail experience
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Six months after the Metropolitan Transit Authority first teased riders with overhead train schedules, the long-awaited system is finally in place!
New monitors installed in all red/purple line stations last year — which have since only been used to remind passengers of Metro “Dos and Do Nots” — now conveniently display anticipated arrival times for trains in all directions.
The system marks a major advancement in the Metro user experience, particularly during non-peak hours where the gap in service can span twenty minutes or more.
Unfortunately, as one early report points out, the “Train to” blocks display fixed schedules only, leaving no flexibility for late and early arrivals — a problem that may be minor since most Metro trains (unlike their bus counterparts) run on reliable timetables. Still, expect inconsistencies as MTA adapts to the changes.
Another change expected to take place this year in local rail stations is the installation of entrance turnstiles, a controversial follow-up to the TAP pass program introduced in February to phase out MTA’s antiquated honor system, which officials say is to blame for $5.5 million of lost annual fare revenue.
This “overhaul” to our rail network — all part of a grand vision to play catch up with the transportation systems of other major cities — could not be better timed. Outrageous gas prices continue to drive some thrifty commuters to explore Metro rail alternatives, many of which are reluctant first-time riders. As passenger amenities and modernization efforts improve convenience and safety, the stigma of a “dangerous” public transit system to nowhere may be overcome.
In fact, the Chicago Tribune published an opinion piece today on LA’s rail transit progress since the early-1990s, comparing its non-existence then to workable situation today:
…I had failed to realize that since 1993, the Red, Green and Gold rail lines were running throughout Los Angeles County. I flew into Los Angeles International Airport and took the $3 shuttle bus downtown to Union Station. I spent the next week alternating among buses, subways and light rails without once relying on a car. This would have been unthinkable 15 years ago.
The article advises the Chicago Transit Authority to look to Los Angeles for inspiration on fixing critical rail issues in light of the city’s bid to hold the 2016 Olympics.
Yes, you read that right — Los Angeles a model for public transportation. (Queue the nay-sayers!)
Also worth mentioning, Metro Rapid riders may appreciate a new website built for mobile devices: rapidbus.net. Get real-time arrival information for the next Rapid bus as you wait — just key in your route, direction and cross street to get estimated arrival times minute-by-minute. Go ahead, click and give it a whirl!
-Those old transit blues (Chicago Tribune)
-Metro Rail Subway Arrival Displays Now Operational! (Militant Angeleno)
-gas prices drive commuters to metro rail
-new metro station monitors to show train schedules
-los angeles subway turnstiles? yes, please!
27 comments
The comments from a Chicagoan makes me think of a blog journal owned by a woman who relocated to Los Angeles from Chicago. She gives some first-hand descriptions of her walks through downtown LA and doesn’t shy away from noting the area’s appeal often is put to the test by a lack of various things. Since I’m a native of LA, the viewpoints of transplants like her interest me.
One of her entries mentions her taking an elevator from her apartment down to Ralphs, so she must reside in the Market Lofts building and therefore can be considered a resident of downtown.
I’d recommend adding her blog to your “Angelenosphere”:
http://cartersblog.wordpress.com
^ Disregard my post above. I just noticed the blog I was describing already has a link listed to the right.
DUH and my bad!
I just noticed this while riding the subway today, and it’s amazing how much of a difference it makes.
As for Rapid buses, the phrase “real-time arrival information for the next Rapid bus” should read “for the next Rapid BUSES” since two or three of them always arrive at once, 40 minutes after the last one. I’ve never seen more unreliable drivers, especially the ones for the 704 on Santa Monica Blvd.
What are you calling antiquated? The honor system has proven itself to be cost effective in systems are far and wide as Portland and Berlin! I can’t believe that you have bought into MTA’s hype for pushing through the turnstyles when they know very well that the amount of lost revenue each year will not be recouped when you factor in the cost of retrofitting the stations. And let’s not even forget that the whole public transit system is subsidized to begin with. We need to remove barriers wherever possible. But yes kudo to MTA for their work in greatly improving and expanding the system.
Guillermo:
The general consensus by local politicos is that the current system is antiquated, otherwise they wouldn’t be changing it. It’s not really my opinion at all.
As a matter of fact, I was trying to keep those statements in this post neutral to keep the focus on the new arrival schedules. (I’ve very aware of the turnstiles implications and the effectiveness of honor systems in the world - I’ve ridden public transit in many major cities in many countries.)
This topic of discussion was very lively back in December when the turnstile announcement was made. I was very opinionated on the subject. Instead of rehashing that debate here, I’ll forward you to these:
-mta turnstiles may have a hidden agenda
-los angeles subway turnstiles? yes, please!
I noticed it this weekend but thought it had been in place for a while now. It really does help. Knowing how long you will wait makes it more tolerable.
I love Metro’s effort, but whats up with the military time?
I love Metro’s effort, but can they do away with the military time.
You know, sometimes it’s the little things that make the big difference.
Little Thing #1: The arrival sign boards are great. How many of us have arrived at a Red/Purple Line station just as we heard a train below departing? We wonder if we’ve just missed the N. Hollywood-bound train or the Wilshire/Western-bound train. Sure, it’s a little thing but it’s nice to know how long we’ll have to wait. Now we’ll know. So kudos for the signs.
Little Thing #2: As others above have pointed out, what’s with the 24-hour time (on a sign board that also shows current time in 12-hour format)? Personally, I’ve always liked the 24-hour system but most riders are way more familiar with the 12-hour clock. Either way, let’s at least be consistent, fellas! And (picky, picky), instead of showing the TIME the next train will arrive, wouldn’t it be better to show how many more MINUTES until the next train? Even if that information is still based on the schedule rather than real time it’s a better way to present the information.
One step ahead, a half step backward. And so it goes with the Little Things in life!
I think the signs with arrival and departure times are a great idea, but what good are they if not in real time? It is my understanding the trains are usually on time but why implement a system not based on real time information? In not doing so they are posting fancy timetable schedules already posted in stations.
As for the Tribune article … Just moved from Chicago and our family took the El every day. The author is making quite a few leaps when saying the Chicago system needs to learn some things from LA. The system map here in LA is not well laid out, whereas you can get all over the place, within a few blocks in Chicago. The Brown line rehab is taking a long time and lots of money, but they are replacing what were essentially wooden shacks with new platforms to accommodate long trains.
The system here looks great, I just don’t think it practical.
As for the turnstile debate - letting people use the honor system in 2008 in the second largest city in the country just doesn’t make sense.
I noticed today that in both North Hollywood (where I boarded) and Pershing Square (where I disembarked), the next train time signs were blank.
Stephen, is it REALLY confirmed that the “Train to” is from a schedule and not the actual expected arrivival time? I read other boards around the ‘net (Streetsblog & MetroRiderLA) and everybody is speculating that it’s either from a schedule or real time. I’ve been riding the Metro since Saturday, and so far, the train has arrived within a minute of the time on the screen. I think we need to get that cleared from the MTA.
Train arrival data was blank for me as well today at Pershing Square and Wilshire / Vermont.
Neel:
When I rode yesterday in Downtown, the train’s arrival was about 3-4 minutes off the actual displayed time, both boardings. It cannot be real time. I’ll check with the MTA.
is there any word on the subway finally going 24 hours? People would be a lot more apt to take the subweay downtown and other places of attraction if they knew they woul;dnt get stuck out here when the subway shuts down at midnight. Its kinda hard to come downtown for a night out when you have to constantly look at your watch to make sure you dont miss the last rain.
tim - if DC, Chicago, SF, Boston, Philly, etc… don’t do it; I don’t see LA moving forward with it. Even the London underground shuts down at 3 am for a couple of hours (it use to be 1 am just 3 years ago!). It’s not common for Metro systems to be 24 hours outside of the buses. LACMTA does not have the resources for this. However, I do wish they would set up a night bus schedule mimicking the rail lines during the night hours.
I’ve only seen New York with a 24 hour schedule and I cannot confirm outside of the other cities I mentioned above. I strongly believe NY is the only 24 hour system in North America, so I can’t see LA being too eager to follow suite yet.
Adding to that list: the subways of Paris, Moscow, Mexico City and Tokyo (yes, even Tokyo) close at night. LA actually does alright in that respect - think the last train runs arrives in Union Station 1:30am.
That’s true Stephen. I was in Boston, Philly, and DC just last month, and trains there stop around midnight. At least LA’s goes until 1 am.
I’d like to see some 2:00, 2:30 or 3:00am service on Metro trains at least on Fridays and Saturdays, if only to cut down on the number of people driving home drunk
Chicago actually has two lines (the Blue and the Red I think) that run 24 hours right? And I thought Copenhagen’s subway is 24 hours too. I could totally be bullshitting though.
berlins subway system also runs 24 hours.
As of June 24th, the time information is not on the boards, and in fact tonight the entire display at Union Station was frozen and displaying a Microsoft Windows error message!
Nice work MTA!
Brigham: You are correct, the Red and Blue lines operate 24/7 in Chicago. The other lines operate well into the night, I want to say until 2 or 3 am if I am not mistaken.
I’m hoping Metro is just tweaking the system right now to see what works (obviously their first trial run) and what does.
I agree with a lot of you that Metro should ditch the military time format and switch to either the 12-hour format or just plain tell me when the hell the next train is going to come in MINUTES REMAINING.
Someone please tell someone you know that works at Metro to get it right!
* and what doesn’t.
No they are not working. I rode the subway yesterday (July 9, 2008) and those signs are not working. The MTA sucks big enchiladas.
These were working this morning at Union Station and they were no longer in military time!