Also, I know the display signs in LA are starting to fail because the hardwired telephone system that fails them is being poorly maintained. They will be switching to cellular based system. So, don't go thinking NYC is that far behind.

How is it today? Anyway, happy to be getting these timers on the bus stops here in nyc.

The MTA has been trying to implement this for buses for that long. Contractors have failed because they were unable to get their GPS systems to work between the tall buildings of Manhattan. A recent contractor was defaulted, and the MTA got its money back. The MTA could have just implemented an existing system in the outer boroughs, but it wanted one system that worked. I know this because I used to work there, but it was also in the newspapers at the time the more recent contractor defaulted.

Similarly, the MTA could have used existing technology and identified when trains were coming using track signals. But track signals can't tell if that 6th Avenue express is a B going to the Brighton Line or a D going to the West End. Most systems don't have routes that merge and diverge. The MTA wanted to be able to identify how far away a train was on each route.

Spending billions twice, once with the easy tech and replacing it with more complicated stuff later? Not under federal rules, which require infrastrucutre funded in part by federal money to remain in place some number of years.

It isn't that easy. But it would be cheaper if the entire system could be closed overnight for maintenance, and if entire lines were shut down long term for construction projects, as in London. My daughter was just their and complained about this, but it sure is cheaper.

Just hope the pilot project works this time.

There I saw similar signs in all Tube stations and at major bus stops telling you exactly when the next train or bus was arriving.

So here we are, SIXTEEN years later and our MTA has just discovered this. How incredibly pathetic.

Welcome to America

I my cab right up from there to 91st, I didn't see a single bus. So yeah -- I'd say the sign is working okay for now. I want more of them!

There I saw similar signs in all Tube stations and at major bus stops telling you exactly when the next train or bus was arriving.

So here we are, SIXTEEN years later and our MTA has just discovered this. How incredibly pathetic.

My cat could do a better job of running the MTA and she died almost eight years ago!

http://www.siemensvdo.com/products_solutions/public-transport-solutions/news/news05/20050905.htm

It says that eventually the system can be accessed on buses and on cell phones. Pretty cool.

I had hoped after looking at some of the new shelters that the space on the inward-facing side at the top of the solid part of the shelter (the one with the ads) could be used for such a status display system. It looks like this sign was affixed to an old shelter, however. I look forward to seeing if this display or other formats are used in the new shelters.

I actually found it most useful to figure out whether it was worth waiting for the *second* bus. Often, the first bus to come by would be packed to the gills, but there'd often be a second bus only one or two minutes behind that was half empty - but you wouldn't know that there was any second bus without the signs.