On Wednesday, the
TTC board will debate whether to place new video screens above
subway platforms across the system. Test devices were installed at a
few stations, and more would replace the existing "Metron"
electronic signs. Many of these older displays are not working, as
Judy Silverberg of Markham writes. "Have you noticed most are either
out of order, or have inaccurate times?"
The TTC
commissioned a study to see if riders liked the new style screens
more than the failing Metrons. Those polled said that the
information they would like to see are, in order; the weather, news,
the date/time, TTC service updates and advertising.
Darius Masalas of
Toronto writes, "The proposed display is completely useless unless
it shows the time of arrival of the next train. Everything else is
just ... window dressing. What kind of railroad station are you
running when neither the clock works, nor the train schedule is
posted?"
Eli Jakeman of
Toronto writes, "I'm wondering if anyone has bothered to point out
what a waste of money the new flat screens in the subway are. Unlike
the (previous) dot-matrix screens, you cannot see the time clearly
five feet away, thus making them a poor addition to the subway."
TTC chair Howard
Moscoe tells In Transit that the screens are being installed at no
cost to the TTC, but some have complained about how hard the signs
are to read. He wants the company responsible, OneStop
Communications, to install more two signs on each platform. Moscoe
planned to meet with company officials Monday afternoon at Bloor
station. The TTC report on the subject states that OneStop can't pay
to install more than two screens per platform, but some could be
switched from lesser-used stations.
Dave Meslin of The
Toronto Public Space Committee, a group opposed to the new monitors,
says that of riders who were polled, "only 22 per cent said they
wanted to see advertising, and then when asked 'what is most
important', one per cent said advertising." He says that the TTC
will be paid enough for the signs to save riders only a tiny
fraction of one cent per ride, calling it a "worthless" amount. "The
really big concern is about who's driving the process," he says. "If
were going to end up with a product that is in the interest of
riders, then the TTC has to be driving the process."
Moscoe replies that
the TTC cannot afford to install such signs out of its own budget.
"We just couldn't afford to replace the (Metron) screens. The
advertising is paying for the replacement of the screens." He says
he will look into specific issues, like how much it would cost the
TTC to provide the information telling riders when the next train
would arrive, as well as special alerts regarding delays on the
system. "I want to make sure we get it right, because these screens
are going to be with us for a very long time."