With last week’s launch of the Merseytravel (UK) Walrus card, both Creative Review and The Guardian got to wondering: What is the “watery trail” that seems to link so many smart cards? Hong Kong has the Octopus, London has the Oyster, Seattle has ORCA, Wellington has Snapper, and San Francisco has the Clipper card. TheRead… Read more »
Dublin Bus passengers can now receive real-time arrival information by text message, iPhone application, or on the new Transport for Ireland website. The new services complement an ongoing program to install 500 real-time electronic signs at key locations; 270 are already in place and others are planned for Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. “This isRead… Read more »
Golden Gate Transit will install wireless connections on 150 buses after a successful pilot project. The transit district will pay for the hardware and expects to outfit all 150 vehicles by early 2012. FreeFi Networks will provide the service free of charge but expects to cover costs with advertising revenues. The district will use aRead… Read more »
Bay Area Rapid Transit (CA) directors held a special meeting last week to hear proposals for a cell-phone shutdown policy from a newly appointed citizens review panel. The action was in response to BART’s shutdown of cell-phone access at several stations in anticipation of a planned protest in August. One proposal called for requiring threeRead… Read more »
Cell phone service continues to improve throughout the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (DC) Metrorail system. Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile are working to meet the agency’s deadline of wiring the rail system by October 16, 2012 — a date mandated by Congress four years ago as part of a federal funding agreement. “On anyRead… Read more »
Metro-North Railroad (NY) will test quiet cars on select peak hour trains on the Hudson and Harlem lines starting on October 17. The last car on certain morning peak trains and the first car on selected evening peak trains will be set aside for customers seeking a peaceful commute. The MTA expects the voluntary programRead… Read more »
Anticipating a spike in phone calls when it launches its new ConnectCard electronic fare system next year, the Port Authority of Allegheny County (PA) plans to add customer service representatives and is considering an interactive phone system. “When people become too frustrated for any reason, they’ll stop using public transportation,” said spokesman Jim Ritchie. “We’reRead… Read more »
Next Tuesday, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (NY) is inaugurating wireless service at four subway stations in the Chelsea section of Manhattan. Riders with AT&T and T-Mobile devices will have access throughout the stations , but subscribers on other networks (including Verizon) are out of luck for now. Service will not be provided on trains orRead… Read more »
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (DC) customers now have the option to add value to their SmarTrip cards online. The launch follows a successful trial with about 150,000 riders. “Customers can now go online rather than getting in line,” said general manager and CEO Richard Sarles in a statement. “This is the latest — butRead… Read more »
New digital tools are making travel easier and more informative, but they are raising questions about the use of public space. Many of these applications are funded through partnerships with private entities which, presumably, are not getting something for nothing. New York City Transit’s new information kiosks, for example, will carry advertisements and also allowRead… Read more »