Comments on: New Metro-North ‘Train Time’ Not Helpful http://www.stationstops.com/2010/01/20/new-metro-north-train-time-not-helpful/ Metro-North Train Schedules and NYC Commuting Blog Fri, 20 Jan 2012 23:39:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: Chris http://www.stationstops.com/2010/01/20/new-metro-north-train-time-not-helpful/comment-page-1/#comment-5146 Chris Thu, 16 Sep 2010 12:17:27 +0000 http://www.stationstops.com/?p=3558#comment-5146 The reason a train doesn't show "late" when running 1 or 2 minutes behind is that Metro North does not consider a train late until it is 6 minutes or more behind. They consider any train arriving withing 5 minutes and 59 seconds of its scheduled departure or arrival as "on time". This is how they can say that 98 percent of the time they are "on time". They define "on time" a little differently than the real world does. It helps them fudge the numbers. The reason a train doesn’t show “late” when running 1 or 2 minutes behind is that Metro North does not consider a train late until it is 6 minutes or more behind. They consider any train arriving withing 5 minutes and 59 seconds of its scheduled departure or arrival as “on time”. This is how they can say that 98 percent of the time they are “on time”. They define “on time” a little differently than the real world does. It helps them fudge the numbers.

]]> By: Nick http://www.stationstops.com/2010/01/20/new-metro-north-train-time-not-helpful/comment-page-1/#comment-4601 Nick Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:14:16 +0000 http://www.stationstops.com/?p=3558#comment-4601 I was waiting on the platform in Greenwich for the 9am train (your 8:57 out of Cos Cob). It told us it was canceled on the board, but no reason why. Then the 9:25 train was 10 mins late, again, no reason why, and stopped several times during the trip for a few minutes each. We had 2 train-loads of passengers on one train, and no explanation of what happened. Adding to the frustration of not knowing anything was the "Train Time" on my PDA telling me everything is hunky dory. Seriously, we live in the real world. Stuff happens and I get it. Tell me the train broke down, or track work, hell, even budget cuts. Not knowing why I'm 40 minutes late for work just makes me angry. I was waiting on the platform in Greenwich for the 9am train (your 8:57 out of Cos Cob). It told us it was canceled on the board, but no reason why.

Then the 9:25 train was 10 mins late, again, no reason why, and stopped several times during the trip for a few minutes each.

We had 2 train-loads of passengers on one train, and no explanation of what happened.

Adding to the frustration of not knowing anything was the “Train Time” on my PDA telling me everything is hunky dory.

Seriously, we live in the real world. Stuff happens and I get it. Tell me the train broke down, or track work, hell, even budget cuts. Not knowing why I’m 40 minutes late for work just makes me angry.

]]> By: Chris (Admin) http://www.stationstops.com/2010/01/20/new-metro-north-train-time-not-helpful/comment-page-1/#comment-4600 Chris (Admin) Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:50:36 +0000 http://www.stationstops.com/?p=3558#comment-4600 I spoke with the person in charge of the app at MTA several weeks ago... I believe he said that it relies on sensors located at certain stations. I also recall him saying something about certain sensors having a limited amount of time to register a train, and those sensors are a bit prone to error. This is all to the best of my recollection - I contacted Metro-North for a quote. I spoke with the person in charge of the app at MTA several weeks ago… I believe he said that it relies on sensors located at certain stations.

I also recall him saying something about certain sensors having a limited amount of time to register a train, and those sensors are a bit prone to error.

This is all to the best of my recollection – I contacted Metro-North for a quote.

]]> By: David Marcus http://www.stationstops.com/2010/01/20/new-metro-north-train-time-not-helpful/comment-page-1/#comment-4599 David Marcus Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:35:18 +0000 http://www.stationstops.com/?p=3558#comment-4599 I haven't had a chance to validate the train time site, but I have noticed that almost all trains are listed "on time", despite many trains running 1 or 2 minutes late. I'm wondering if the system is automatic or manually inputted at the discretion of a dispatcher. I'm developing a departure board to be displayed in South Norwalk station (http://routefriend.com/travelboard/southnorwalk). The 'Train Time' system is a great service concept, and if its precision can be improved and rolled out for South Norwalk, hopefully I can incorporate it into the display. I haven’t had a chance to validate the train time site, but I have noticed that almost all trains are listed “on time”, despite many trains running 1 or 2 minutes late. I’m wondering if the system is automatic or manually inputted at the discretion of a dispatcher.

I’m developing a departure board to be displayed in South Norwalk station (http://routefriend.com/travelboard/southnorwalk). The ‘Train Time’ system is a great service concept, and if its precision can be improved and rolled out for South Norwalk, hopefully I can incorporate it into the display.

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