What are your experiences with the subway and other public transportation

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billtron

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Hello everyone.

I'm currently researching the relationship between sound and public space for my PhD. A lot of my work involves talking to people about their experiences in the New York subway, and I would be interested to know the opinions of the members of this forum. If it's not too presumptuous of me, can I ask for your help?

I've been researching the NYC subway for a while, especially the history of the transit authority's compliance with the ADA and earlier complaints from passengers with disabilities. For example, did you know that guide dogs weren't allowed on the subway until 20 years after it was first suggested by visually impaired riders?

I'm curious to know if any of you have experienced moments of frustration or challenges because of the organization and design of public transportation. I know that some subway information, like service changes and delays, are only transmitted over the train loudspeaker. Has this ever been a problem for you?

I'm sure that you have lots of stories and complaints, and I'd appreciate reading anything you wish to share. My goal is to get a better understanding of how people relate to each other in public spaces, and how sound mediates relationships between people, in both good and bad ways.

Feel free to contribute any information that you want, even if it doesn't relate to my questions directly.


Thank you very much!
 
in albany ny ( CDTA) the busses have a computer that says the next stop also a display that shows it ( i'll put up a photo for you latter) even tho I know my stops I believe that the display makes it a little easyer to find ones stop so deffies don't have to only rely on land marks.
 
im been transportation of bus lots of CATS known as Central Arkansas Transit in my hometown
 
I tend to like it when the public transportation keep things that I don't have to ask, but to see the signs so I can be able to know what to do.
 
I use transit system in the metro area:

Metro Transit (largest transit system) about 119 lines.
Southwest Transit (Suburban transit system) about 12 lines.
Maple Grove Transit (Suburban transit system) about 7 lines.
Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (Suburban transit system) about 22 lines.
Woodbury-Cottage Grove Transit (Suburban transit system operated by First Transit) about 8 lines.
Lornez Bus Service (Suburban transit system) about 5 lines,
University of Minnesota Transit and Parking (Campus transit system operated by Laidlaw Transit) 6 lines and Free ride!.
BE-Line (Suburban transit system operated by Transit Team) 2 lines.
Roseville Circulator (Circlator transit system operated by Robinson Coach) 6 lines.

Most buses and trains are fully accessibility for wheelchairs.

That's total of 187 lines!

Casino Buses;

Mystic Lake Casino/Hotel Express buses have about 12 lines it's FREE ride, these are not accessibility, soon will have new buses come up with wheelchair lift (operated by Vogit's Transportation).

Treasure Island Casino Express buses have a fully wheelchair accessibility about 6 lines. (Operated by Lornez Bus Service). FREE Ride!
 
sara1981 said:
im been transportation of bus lots of CATS known as Central Arkansas Transit in my hometown
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CAT sucks, their routes are very small limited to just the River Market District and Alltell. If you want to go outside that small area, you have to call a cab, which can get extremely expensive. There is one CAT route from LR Nat'l AP to downtown though, but it runs only on certain days I believe.

If I could I would suggest to the cities of NLR and LR to go in together and make an area wide public transportation system that suits the needs of all citizens and that includes students at ASD/ASB, as well as visitors from out of town that don't feel comfortable driving in the area, but want to see more of the area.
 
billtron - welcome! I currently commute with NYC subway. The old subways were NOT deaf-friendly at all!!!! However - they do have new trains which is, I believe, limited to only Brooklyn line (E-train). It is very deaf-friendly and I was very pleased with it. It has both audible and visual display of stops and the "Next Stop." The newer Port Authority buses are deaf-friendly as well which included visual display of stops.
 
Oh, I forgot about announcment signs, the Metro Transit trains have a visually and audio announcment signs inside of trains and also station A/V signs for clock and station name, rarely to alert riders about station closure/elevators out of order and special events. also the train have outside audio announcment for "Allboard, the train will leave shortly" at layover stations.

Minnesota Valley Transit Authority buses have outside audio announcments for route number and direction for blind riders.
 
sorry i havent gotten around to upping photos , but I thought I would give you this link CDTA so you can ask them directly a few of your questions. they are my local trasit
 
in here, Bay Area, we called them- BART.

Im only glad that they are well familiar with Deaf culture also, there are many deafies rides BART everyday to their job sites.

My experience with BART is just simply good and no problems at all.
 
The newer subways in NYC are awesome............they have the visual map of where you're going. However the other ones have a PA system which is "HUH?"
 
I have used the Lightrail in Baltimore and the Metro in Washington DC...no problems at all. One time, the line was shut down and the sign said "Next train in 45 mins". I kept hearing announcements over the PA system but couldnt understand it and watching the behavior of the other commuters prompted me to go to a station manager to ask them what was up. If it wasnt for the sign saying that, I would have been standing there clueless but then again, I have learned to observe the behaviors of other commuters to alert me of anything different.

Whenever I rode on the Metro, I did have thoughts of what would happen if we got stuck underground or had to evacuate and how I would be notified.
 
I don't take public transit. Afterall--I paid for my car, I am not going to let it sit in my driveway.
 
Byrdie714 said:
I don't take public transit. Afterall--I paid for my car, I am not going to let it sit in my driveway.
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What about going green? :lol:

I would love to get rid of my vehicle and just use public transportation.
 
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