MTA expands beyond the “L” Line.
By Frank Dutan
New York City commuters no longer have to strain their necks and bodies or do the “platform lean,” to see if their train is approaching the station.
As promised, the MTA installed countdown clocks in five stations along the 6. train line. These countdown clocks will tell commuters exactly how many minutes until the next train arrives. The MTA will test the effectiveness of the clocks with hopes to release the technology and make it available to all 152-subway stations by mid 2011. Riders on the 6. line aren’t the only commuters to receive this luxury. The MTA has also installed countdown clocks on the L line. Bronx straphangers like Ms. Kennedy, a mother of two, greatly appreciate this service, “It’s pretty cool, and it lets the customers know what is actually working… They need to put them in all stations” and young Alton Thomas, son of Ms. Kennedy, finds the clocks fun and useful, “It tells me six minutes sometimes four maybe 11 and its fun”.
Rose, another Bronx commuter, grateful for now being able to use her time more productively and no longer being in harm’s way while performing the “platform lean,” “It gives me enough time to take out my stuff and go into the train. I don’t have to be glancing for the train, which is very dangerous you might lose you balance and end up in the middle of the tracks. I think it’s a great idea and I agree with it”.
MTA’s officials said in a statement to HarlemLIVE , “the testing period [on the 6. Line] is open-ended” when asked about plans for clocks on other lines they responded, “Clocks will not come to lines, but to stations who are located next to the right [electronic] equipment” and that “it is based on areas where the stations are located”. The clocks will be placed in the outer boroughs first. The timers will move on to the rest of the Bronx, and then Brooklyn for now. In a city where commuters move at such a rapid pace, countdown clocks will be able to improve proficiency among riders.
