TriMet (OR) has stopped testing an audible pedestrian-warning system in its buses, saying that the system is not effective. The warnings, which said “Pedestrians, bus is turning” in English and Spanish, did not deploy correctly. In a statement, TriMet said that the timing for the automated announcements was off. During a turn, the message cameRead… Read more »
The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (OH) has acquired a Segway to help its service quality supervisors monitor bus and trolley service. “Rather than having someone on foot patrolling 20 blocks, or in a car that would be stuck in traffic most of the time, the Segway is giving our staff more speed and mobility,”Read… Read more »
After losing up to $15 million a year from missing, stolen, and resold U-Passes, TransLink (BC) is threatening to cancel the student pass program. This year the agency provided about 80,000 U-Passes to students at six Vancouver-area colleges and universities at a discounted rate of $30 per month; the non-transferable passes are good for travelRead… Read more »
A Los Angeles Superior Court judge wants more time to consider whether a lawsuit by Metrolink (CA) engineers should go to trial. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen object to video cameras placed in locomotives and cab cars, saying that the surveillance infringes on their due process rights and their privacy. Judge Luis LavinRead… Read more »
Hack for Change will bring together 50 engineers and designers for 24 hours to build applications to generate positive change. Change.org is sponsoring the June 18-19 hackathon in partnership with Mashable and Code for America. “The smartest people in the world are focused on problems that don’t really matter,” said Change.org founder Ben Rattray. “WhatRead… Read more »
Chennai Metro Rail, under construction in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, will accept rechargeable smart cards when it starts operation in 2014-15. Officials are modeling the system on Hong Kong’s octopus card. “The plastic smart card will be sold in shops like mobile recharge coupons,” an official said. ”Passengers can recharge their octopus cardsRead… Read more »
As the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (NY) looks to a contactless future, an agency report estimates that MetroCards fail 20% of the time, requiring passengers to swipe their cards more than once to get through the turnstile. MTA officials chalk up the failure rate to multiple factors. Sometimes the card is defective, expired, or damaged; otherRead… Read more »
Funding cuts have forced federal officials to cancel plans for two new open government websites. One was intended to allow federal workers to share information and work tips with one another and the other was designed to provide the public with information on the quality of federal services. Existing open government sites will continue —Read… Read more »
To help give transit a competitive advantage, EMBARQ released a report on transit marketing and branding. From Here to There is designed to help transit agencies achieve three goals: Attract new users from private transportation modes, including automobiles Retain existing public transport users Secure political and financial support The report offers sensible advice for agenciesRead… Read more »
Comparing the tweets of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (DC) with those of other agencies, Greater Greater Washington says that Metro has a lot to learn. The blog praised the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (NY) for keeping riders in the loop after a recent derailment, and wrote: “Social media engagement isn’t simply about one’s successes;Read… Read more »