Bus envy
I was recently in Chicago and found something delightful about riding that city's buses — something I haven't found here in King County riding Metro Transit. Buses there clearly and consistently let you know where you're going. What a concept.
Here's how it works. There is a very friendly audio recording announcing each stop ("This bus is arriving Clark Avenue and North Street") along with some local landmarks ("The Chicago History Museum is on your right"). And it reinforces that message with a scrolling digital sign for all to see.
You won't find either of those services on Metro. Instead, it's left to drivers to announce where they are and where they are going. The results are pretty uneven, to say the least.
Take the bus I ride each morning. The drivers vary, and so does the "commentary." Some announce what stop is next, some announce landmarks, but I would say that most do neither. Even the ones who do make an attempt are, in my experience, often difficult to understand. What is it about Metro's microphone system that makes announcements so muffled?
On my regular bus, I don't really need to know what stop is next. But when I ride a different line, a clear audio and visual message sure would help. And with Metro buses getting ever more crowded because of gas prices, such user-friendly services might just help turn temporary riders into permanent ones. Tourists and out-of-towners would be obvious beneficiaries as well.
Chicago also uses the in-bus audio system for important transportation announcements. I was there for the Fourth of July, and on the handful of buses I rode you could hear which streets were going to be closed for the festivities, which alternate routes to take, etc.
A Metro spokesperson says our buses are scheduled to look and sound more like Chicago's in the next couple of years. Automated audio and digital readerboards will begin showing up in 2010.
I'm glad all that's coming, but it's a shame we're so behind the curve on this one. It can't be that hard to implement, can it? Aren't we like the tech capital of the world?
Comments:
Posted Sat, Jul 12, 9:25 a.m. inappropriate
So a priest, a rabbi, and lawyer walk into the space needle...: Anyone else remember a driver from about 10 years ago, a young black guy, who would do a whole comedy schtick while driving his route? His material was perhaps a little cheesy, but it was always fun and put the whole bus in a friendly mood.
Posted Sun, Jul 13, 1:35 p.m. inappropriate
Automated stop announcements a good idea: C.R. Douglas' observations on the effectiveness and appeal of automated location announcements on buses is spot on.
The buses in both Austin and Houston Texas have this kind of information system installed, as do some of the buses in Vancouver, BC.
If there isn't enough money to do this in our Puget Sound region, the State Legislature should redirect some of Sound Transit's revenue/spending authority to county transit agencies.
Posted Mon, Jul 14, 10:55 a.m. inappropriate
Uh, no: Contrary to local boosterism, we are not the tech capital of the world.
Posted Mon, Jul 14, 2:31 p.m. inappropriate
Clark Avenue: I think you mean Clark Street and North Avenue.
Posted Tue, Jul 15, 5:58 a.m. inappropriate
A bigger problem is the riders: Absolutely it was one of my frustrations when first riding Metro buses that the drivers either didn't call out the stops or were incomprehensible when they did. A pre-recorded announcement would be a big improvement.
My chief complaint with the buses however is the ignorance of the the riders, specifically when the buses are near capacity. Chicago riders know that when you get on a standing room bus, you move back--all the way back--yes even up the step and onto that little platform in back.
Another thing Seattle riders don't seem to understand is the concept of stepping off the bus so other riders can exit. Don't just stand there in mute silence, pretending the other riders don't exist: get off so others can make their stop, then climb right back on. It's not hard. This is probably exacerbated by Metro's schizophrenic "sometimes you pay when you enter, sometimes when you exit, and sometimes the back door won't open" policies, but still there's plenty of room for improvement.
And yes, it is Clark Street and North Avenue--riding the 22 possibly?