Red Line Will Be First to Have Automated Train Arrival Info

I can get more information off this screen in Shanghai than I can at Wilshire/Vermont

Earlier this week, Curbed LA reported that LCD screens in subway stations will soon feature train arrival information. Curbed Reader Brighan Yen reported:

After speaking to a Metro spokesperson, LA Streetsblog has some good news and some bad news.

Metro was unable to confirm or deny the timetable for bringing"next train" information to the LCD monitors. Metro did confirm that they are working on this upgrade for all Red and Purple Line stations and expect it to be online soon. While there is currently no time line of any sort to get this information on screens at other heavy and light rail stations, Metro also plans to bring these stations "next train" capability at some point in the future.

Until the train is close to the station, the screens will update information based off the schedule. Once the train is five minutes away, there will be a regularly updated countdown clock until train arrival. The monitors will also say whether the inbound train is a Red or Purple Line train.

On top of the benefit for commuters, this is good news for Metro, who has taken criticism from riders on the current state of the LCD screens. Currently, the screens are running a mini-slide show with reminders not to eat food or take a scooter onto the train.

(Update: Metro staff is now confirming that the LCD upgrades will be in place by "the end of June at the latest.")

Photo: Missybe/Flickr