All CTA rail stations now feature electronic screens displaying CTA’s popular Train Tracker service, a plan intended to improve the customer experience and was completed ahead of schedule, the CTA announced today.
Last week, CTA installed the screens at the Madison/Wabash Loop elevated station, completing an installation program announced last year and scheduled for completion by Labor Day 2013.
The new display screens are the latest generation of CTA digital signs, showing estimated train-arrival times from CTA Train Tracker, as well as time and temperature. With this recent installation, the rail system now features 475 display screens offering CTA Train Tracker information.
“Over the last year, CTA crews have been working diligently to bring this useful customer tool to all our rail stations,” said CTA President Forrest Claypool. “CTA Train Tracker signs take the guesswork out of commuting and let customers know how long they need to wait for their trains.”
Efforts are under way to equip all CTA stations with multiple displays, with work expected to continue through 2014 for a total of at least 1,000 new CTA Train Tracker displays. Installation of the displays is occurring as the CTA upgrades station and platform technology capabilities that can support a new and improved public address system and newer security cameras.
Some stations have already received network upgrades and are fully equipped with multiple displays, including the 10 stations along the South branch of the Green Line, which was done in preparation for the Red Line South Reconstruction Project that began in May 2013; Loop elevated stations Adams/Wabash and Randolph/Wabash; Merchandise Mart and Western on the Brown Line; the Pink Line’s Polk station and the Morgan/Lake Green Line station.
The exceptions include nine stations on the Red Line South that are temporarily closed for renovation as part of the Red Line South Reconstruction project, which began in May. Upon the reopening of the Red Line South in mid-October, those nine stations from 95th to Cermak-Chinatown will be fully equipped with multiple CTA Train Tracker displays. Installation of CTA Train Tracker displays at the Clark/Division and Wilson Red Line stations will occur as part of each station’s reconstruction projects.
CTA Train Tracker provides estimated trains serving all stations across its eight rail lines. Estimated times are generated through a combination of scheduling information and data generated by software that monitors the signal system to indicate when a portion of track is occupied by a train.
In addition to displays at rail stations, customers can also access CTA Train Tracker information online at transitchicago.com or on their mobile devices via CTA’s mobile website, by text or by the numerous third party apps available for iOS, Android and Windows devices.
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