It will take
time before commuters can get all their travel information from one,
easy to use source -- but we’re on our way. If a transit rider or
motorist wants to know of any delays on their route to work or home,
they must rely on a variety of media and government agencies. While
most slowdowns are either short or unavoidable, there are times when
collisions or construction can double or triple commute time.
In greater
Toronto, commuters may travel over roads or highways administered by
two or more distinct governments, using a transit service run by
another separate agency. TTC subway and surface vehicles may be
overseen by dispatchers at the centralized Transit Control or at one
of several TTC bus or streetcar divisions across the city. TV and
radio stations do broadcast some information, but currently there is
no consistent way to know if your particular route is likely to have
delays.
While it might
well be considered overdue, local transport officials will gather in
Toronto this week to discuss traveller information at a meeting
sponsored in part by Transport Canada. I’m pleasantly surprised to
see the federal government make a move. Americans are well ahead of
us, having already started a nationally-coordinated traffic and
transit update service known as 511.
In some U.S.
cities, commuters can call one number or visit one website to check
on congestion, get help plotting a route, or even notify the
authorities of a bad pothole. I’ve used 511 in San Francisco, where
thousands rely on the service daily, and was able to connect easily
with local transit agencies. Because the U.S. government oversees
the 511 program, users in different cities can access information in
much the same way.
While the
traffic and transit hotline is not available everywhere down south,
every week seems to bring an expansion of the 511 network.
Eventually, travellers may be able to visit any state and get
instant road, rail or even air travel updates. In Canada, I hear
that Vancouver leads in offering enhanced commuter assistance. The
amount of publicly available information is also increasing in
greater Toronto, just not in a coordinated way.
GO Transit
riders can check on their favourite train or bus routes by computer
before they leave, but the information can be sketchier while en
route. TTC riders can hear about delays once they are in the subway
system, but must tune into private media for advance warning. If
there is a major problem on a surface route, you won’t hear about it
on the subway. While there is a possibility that the proposed new
digital message signs will offer delay updates, it is unclear
whether this will indeed happen.
Toronto is far
from launching its own 511 service, but there is a potential to
align a future system with that available in the U.S. and eventually
around the world. In the not-too-distant future, one could possibly
navigate any city using a consistently-designed information source,
available in a multitude of languages. I’ll keep you posted.
Send e-mail to
transit@eddrass.com.
Include address and phone number.