September 14, 2007
MUNI - Inscrutable, or Just Wasteful?
If you're like us, you noticed that MUNI put up these little paintings in several stations a few weeks ago. The one pictured above is at the Church Street station, right when you come down the escalator.
We started wondering what exactly these little paintings were supposed to do. Are we supposed to comment about them? Is MUNI asking us if there's a better place in the station to put an LCD display? We can't tell you, because there's absolutely no material around these things to explain, or tell you if comments are welcome. A quick look at MUNI online reveals nothing. We tried looking at 511, but the stupid scrolling information bar broke our browser.
Here's an idea. Since there are already LED displays on the platform telling us when the next train is coming, and there's a little LCD display in the booth where the MUNI employee sits all day, why not put the new display near the top of the stairs? That way we could get to the station, see that the M line will be delayed at least 45 minutes before having to go down the stairs, and then go for a beer at Lucky 13 and sit around and bitch with the other stranded MUNI riders?
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Their grammar could use some work, too. Then again the first draft was probably "This is Proposed Location. For NextMuni - LCD Display !!!"
and the litte "(Screen Shot)" is also nice. No kidding?
I would rather have MUNI spend the money on fixing NEXTBUS. Those LED signs are all lies. Absolutely no baring on reality.
or maybe it's a friggin reminder for MUNI folk that they will eventually need to do something in regards to those LCD displays. By having those models up they're constantly reminded that they need to spend our tax dollars for this project some day when they eventually get around to thinking about doing something about it
I'm just speculating, but I'll bet these absurd decisions by MUNI are probably a result of a flawed "decision-making by compromise" process.
For example, one committee member suggests listing proposed LCD display locations on MUNI's website (with a place for comments). Another suggests a beta test, with actual LCDs in a few station locations. Both of these committee members are important, so the committee must try to keep them happy. Thus, the above "solution" is proposed as a compromise, even though it makes no sense.
What?? Are they going to hook up a PC and show us the (crappy) NextMUNI website? That'll do me a lot of good.
First, I think a better use of fixed signage space would be to post the information that never changes on the walls to make more space for scrolling info on the current LED signs. There should be static signs telling passengers about POP and safety issues. The scrolling LEDs on the platform can then show only time and arrival info.
Second, the basic arrival info should be available upstairs. It can get information from the same system that updates the current LED signs. Are old fashioned airport-style signs too passé?
I suspect it's a reminder to Muni to post the displays.
You want more opportunities to sit around and bitch? I thought that's why you guys blogged!
I'm going to guess that there's a bunch of pseudo-scientific MBAs in Marketing wandering the stations analyzing how people are reacting to the signs. Do they stop and stare? Do they crane their neck from the platform? Do they stare at the ground and completely never notice the sign? Do they give the sign the finger and then run off to the nearest computer to post on sfist?
I'm hoping there's some sort of study involved with the signs and MUNI is not trying to go, "Gee! Aren't we swell? Look what we'll provide you! (in the next 4 years)"
I'm with SFist_Dan on this one, screw the Muni, let's go to the Lucky 13! 2.50 beers before 8PM :)
Yes! That goes for BART, too. How many times do I need to steamroll those people STANDING on the left side of the escalator (this is the passing lane, you jerks! Get out of the way!) before I make it to the platform just in time only to realize I made an ass of myself over the wrong train?
Just another sign of wasting money on useless crap.
I agree with Akit, putting up LCDs is a waste of money. After all, public transportation has worked all these years without such technology.
Like any good business, MUNI should be focusing on its core mission: making the trains run on time.
Giving us info doesn't help them do that.
Has anyone thought that these might be used for advertising, though?
There is a LCD in the Embarcadero Station of all the trains in the metro. I think this is a nice addition but I'm sure this revenue driven to sell ad space as well. Several other metros I've been on have TV screens with news and weather information along with the usual PSAs.
There are a few NextBus LCD screens at the station booths. Well, there's one at Powell anyhow.
the advertising idea sounds like something that would appeal to MUNI, unfortunately. is there any movement afoot to limit advertising in public spaces? i'd love to join such a movement.
There is a great way to limit advertising in public spaces, simply buy up all the ad space and leave it empty, or put up art. You could start a not for profit which takes tax deductible donations. Buy up all the ad space and names arenas after public figures. And on top of it the desperately needed revenue that the ads provide to needed city services will still flow, without raising ticket prices (in the case of muni) or taxes. This way you can put an exact value on what that ad free space is worth to you.
I think that the Muni just wants another opportunity for the non-transit using public to tell them what a shitty job they are doing.
In my not so humble opinion, the information display signs are a good thing as the LED overhead ones are old and mangy. I just hope that Muni doesn't put too much information on the signs. We all know how stupid the public is. Too much information will torture their "litte" minds.
As it is now, the riders are so bored that they stare at the embarcadero display like it is a frigging aquarium. little rectangles represent trains... THAT'S FASCINATING!!! No one can understand it, though. They just stare and drool.
The information on the new displays should be big and loud and dumbed down. I personally would have no problem with occasional advertising between arrival times and positive mind control via PSA announcements. Anyone who has ridden the MARTA knows that they loves their advertising dollars. No surprises if NPF picks up the ad pace, ok?
Those who are against advertising, should think twice when they moan about how crowded, late and broke as fuck teh Muni is.
In NYC they don't put real time train info at the top of the stations, because people will stampede frantically down to the platforms crushing all in their way.
MUNI pays out enough in lawsuits as it is.
Every time I see those all I can I think of how much they'll cost (in terms of the panel and the inevitable 30 man hours per sign it will take to install them). Thanks Muni, give us signs to tell us how you're even later this morning.
If Muni were doing its job we wouldn't need Nextbus (especially for trains!). I would simply know that, at say 8:32 my KK arrives at Castro or whatever.
But you can't just throw money at that, I guess...