Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
No Subway Countdown Clocks For A Bit, But Hey! Giant iPads!
By
Garth Johnston
Published Oct 25, 2012
Modified Oct 25, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Garth Johnston
Published Oct 25, 2012
Modified Oct 25, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
While the subways will be getting a bit chattier next year, don't expect to see more countdown clocks in your stations anytime soon. And don't even dream of seeing a countdown clock at your local bus stop—city contract-related red tape make those highly unlikely. But don't worry, the MTA is going to install more than of a hundred more of those pretty useless On The Go! machines!
“It will take substantial time," MTA senior official Craig Stewart testified during a City Council hearing on transportation technology yesterday, according to DNAinfo. What will? Installing countdown clocks on the city's lettered subway lines. They're older and harder to wire out, apparently. Though the MTA has tried! "Those efforts have fallen short in yielding the level and type of information we are seeking to provide our customers," Stewart explained.
On the plus side, the city is working hard to expand its BusTime cell phone alert service to all five boroughs. But it can't put that information up on actual bus stops because doing that would interfere with the city's street furniture contract with CEMUSA—y'know, the company who likes to blame subcontractors for your filthy bus stops.
Still! More cell service! And 100 to 150 of those giant iPad-like On The Go! machines. Don't you think the MTA has earned a little fare hike?
Tagged
bustime
countdown clocks
MTA
on the go!
subway
Garth Johnston
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Bronx man indicted for murder in fatal bodega shooting
Prosecutors say Jesus Acosta shot and killed Tayvon Shuler, then robbed the East 149th Street store last month.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Sep 29, 2026 at 7:44 p.m. ET
Mamdani must redo his pied-à-terre tax rollout, NY judge orders
A Staten Island judge ruled against the city in a lawsuit challenging the rollout of the new tax, a day after a billionaire casino mogul sued to invalidate it.
By
David Brand
News
Mamdani must redo his pied-à-terre tax rollout, NY judge orders
A Staten Island judge ruled against the city in a lawsuit challenging the rollout of the new tax, a day after a billionaire casino mogul sued to invalidate it.
By
David Brand
NYC eyes higher fines for owners of dirty vacant lots, abandoned construction sites
By
Liam Quigley
NJ Gov. Sherrill vetoes 2 bills meant to give strapped Jersey City more revenue tools
By
Michael Sol Warren
Brooklyn residents displaced after facade falls off neighboring building amid nor'easter
By
Catalina Gonella
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .