Once upon a time, SEPTA announced it would be installing screens showing up-to-the-minute arrival times on station platforms, so that passengers could know how long they could expect to wait before the next train.
Nearly four years later, the technology is finally installed — but not fully running — at over four dozen stations.
Originally, the regional transit agency expected the technology to be installed on the Broad Street Line by November 2020 and on the Market-Frankford Line and trolleys in 2022. But, “a variety of circumstances” presented challenges in meeting that goal, SEPTA spokesperson John Golden told Hey Philly, including software issues and having to work with SEPTA’s older technology.
Flash forward: Testing along the MFL started last year, per The Inquirer, and people started to notice some working clocks in stations earlier this month.
“We have received feedback from our riders requesting this type of information and are moving in a positive direction in the testing phase,” Golden said. “We have also received positive feedback from riders who have noticed the clocks, and we share in their excitement with the forthcoming implementation of this technology.”
Which Stations Have Real-Time Arrival Clocks?
As of now, the physical signs for displaying arrival times have been installed in all BSL and MFL stations, Golden told Hey Philly. But in BSL stations, the clocks aren’t online yet.
Do They Work?
Right now, the MFL countdown clocks are still in a testing phase, so their functionality is still being worked out.
“For the most part the testing is progressing and working technically as intended, however more testing is needed with the software so the clocks can be as accurate as possible,” Golden said. “A key challenge is that different modes have different technology meaning different lines run on a different system to track vehicles.”
Since the subways run underground, he added, signal interference can also be an issue.
When Will the Signs Be Fully Up and Running in All the Stations?
Right now, SEPTA is focusing on testing the clocks at El stations, since the MFL is the most-used line across the transit system. BSL arrival times are slated to come online later this year.
Per Golden, the transit agency is hoping to be through the current testing phase “by the end of this year.”
After that, SEPTA will “look into countdown clocks on other modes,” he said.
