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Los Angeles' subway is getting cellphone service and WiFi
A few cities in the US have wireless service in their subway systems, but not Los Angeles. Take a trip to Wilshire Boulevard, for example, and you'll stay incommunicado until you're back above ground. You won't be out of touch for too much longer, though. The city and InSite Wireless have started deploying both cellular service and WiFi at subway stations, beginning with the Red Line. The launch will be modest early on, with four stations getting WiFi by May and cellular service coming in August. LA's plans are much more ambitious in the next couple of years, however. A second wave should get both the Purple Line and more of the Red Line up and running by June 2016, while the Gold Line railway's tunnels should be connected by March 2017.
NYC brings carrier and WiFi coverage to more subway stations
For the most part, New York City's underground transportation system is solid and reliable. It gets locals from point A to point B with ease, and that's the only thing which should matter -- never mind the strange things that occasionally transpire while commuting. Having said this, a large number of subway stations still lack any sort of network coverage, making it nearly impossible for people to do basic tasks on their mobile devices, like getting on a phone call or browsing the web. Thankfully, it's about to get better for residents of The Big Apple, plus the more than 50 million people who visit the city every year. Earlier today, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said wireless connectivity is now available at 40 additional underground platforms, including 11 in Manhattan and 29 in Queens.
Cities use online ticket tracking to save you time on the subway
Many commuters know the agony of mass transit at rush hour; it's no fun to skip packed buses and subway cars when you're already desperate to get home. Urban Engines clearly shares in that pain as well, as it's rolling out an internet service that uses commuting patterns to spot choke points in public transportation. Ticket purchases, pass card swipes and similar behavior create an activity map that reveals just where and when the delays are; it's easy to tell that there need to be more buses at 6PM, or that the lines are too long at the subway turnstiles.
AT&T expanding coverage to 40 more NYC subway stations (updated)
It's a crapshoot: if you're descending into one of New York City's underground subway stations, you're probably going to drop a call. It's frustrating, but it'll be a little less likely soon. AT&T has expanded its contract with Transit Wireless to bring voice and data services to "as many as 242" additional NYC subway stations, though only about 40 are going to be ready this summer. Don't get too excited about the proposed total, either -- Transit Wireless is only in phase two of a seven phase rollout, and won't reach it's promised potential for several years. Still, the latest additions will more than double AT&T's presence, with 11 more stations in mid-town Manhattan and 29 in Queens. With 30 already in mid-town and six at Chelsea, that'll make 76 stations total with AT&T connectivity by the end of the summer. There's still a long way to go before the entire city is covered, but it's a good start. Update: AT&T reminded us that there are 36 stations in operation now in mid-town Manhattan and Chelsea. The post has been updated to reflect that.
LCD Soundsystem frontman wants to make New York's subway more musical
Musician and self-described "subway geek" James Murphy has had a bit of time on his hands since LCD Soundsystem's curtain call, but he hasn't been idle. Inspired by the sounds of Tokyo's train system, Murphy has proposed that the turnstiles of New York's 468 subway stations each play a unique melody when someone passes through them. He thinks the project, dubbed Subway Symphony, could be part of the city's plan to overhaul the existing MetroCard system and replace it with NFC-based readers, according to an interview with The Wall Street Journal. There is, however, something standing in the way of his 15-year old plan: the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA). An MTA representative said that it's a cool idea but one that would likely require a lot of labor, money and potential downtime for the subway's 5.5-million passengers -- and that isn't feasible (unlike in-terminal WiFi). If you're inclined to disagree, Muphy's set up a petition on the Subway Symphony website. [Image credit: Kent, J/Flickr]
NYC's subway wireless will soon reach Grand Central Terminal and Queens
New Yorkers won't have to wait long to get internet access at some of the biggest commuting hubs in their fair city -- Transit Wireless has started the second phase of its subway wireless rollout. The initial construction will bring cellular and WiFi access to 11 subway stations in midtown Manhattan, including the all-important Grand Central Terminal. Those in the borough of Queens, meanwhile, should start seeing underground coverage in March. When the current phase wraps up in June, the expanded service should give internet access to about 250 million riders per year. That's no mean feat when even some of the bigger public WiFi projects have much smaller potential audiences.
NYC's first touchscreen subway maps are ready to guide you through the boroughs
It's been a long, long time since New York City revealed its plans to implement a smart maps solution across its subway system. But despite a few delays here and there, it looks as if the project, lead by design firm Control Group and the MTA, is finally beginning to bear fruit. As Gizmodo reports, the first batch of touchscreen subway maps are now ready to be used in some parts of The Big Apple. So far, MTA has installed 18 of these 47-inch panels within Grand Central Terminal, but the idea is to bring them to more underground platforms in the next few months. After spending time using one, Gizmodo describes the maps software as "sluggish" and "choppy," but that's not to say the kiosks don't do what they're expected to -- which is to be a helpful tool for commuters. For example, you can easily find how to get from point A to point B, as well as see when the next subway train is due to arrive at the station, among other things. And hey, even though this won't be for everyone, we have no doubt it'll come in handy for quite a few people.
Verizon LTE now available in 35 NYC subway stations
Many commuters around the world take underground connectivity for granted at this point, but New Yorkers are still disconnected more often than not while riding the subway, or even just waiting for a train. Now, thanks to Transit Wireless, Verizon customers can surf the web via LTE in 35 Manhattan subway stations. Platforms for select trains are now online, with most of the participating stations located on the city's west side, including Times Square and Columbus Circle. Service is notably absent at Penn Station and Grand Central, though that latter hub is slated to get LTE soon, when 40 additional stations come online as part of the next installation phase. Click through to the source link for the full list of 35 stations that offer LTE today. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Google Glass update brings mass transit directions
Google Glass owners have long had walking directions; as of an update rolling out today, they're getting mass transit directions as well. Commuters who've paired Glass with an Android phone can now see both the stops they'll need and the time it will take to reach their destination. While mass transit navigation is the only major addition this month, it represents one of the practical updates in recent memory -- we know at least one subway-hopping Google executive who would approve.
Verizon service coming to 36 NYC subway stations later this year
When it rains it pours -- and pouring rain only stops New York City's 100-year-old mass transit system some of the time. Following its fellow carriers underground, Verizon this morning let it be know that it has inked a deal with Transit Wireless (which has already announced similar partnerships with Sprint, AT&T and the like) that'll bring 3G and LTE voice and data to those 36 Manhattan stations that are already online, later this year. Phase two, meanwhile, will bring 40 additional stations throughout Manhattan and Queens. That part is expected to be completed early next year.
Sprint set to bring coverage to 277 NYC subway stations
When it rains, it pours. As anyone who takes Big Apple public transit can tell you, the days of the brief underground reprieve from wireless are mostly behind us -- in many parts of Manhattan, at least. But if you doubted that the rest of the 100-year-old transit system would be getting some love, let Sprint lay those concerns to rest. The carrier announced this morning plans to bring service to the whole map -- that's 277 underground stations in all, bringing coverage to Sprint, Boost and Virgin Mobile subscribers. Folks on those networks will be getting service in 36 Manhattan stations early next year, followed by 40 more in that borough and Queens.
Subway UK restaurant app adds Passbook support
Things have been on a roll lately for Passbook-supported apps outside of North America. First it was easyJet, then British Airways and then iTunes Festival London. Now the Subway UK app has finally gained Passbook support. The new Subway UK app, Subcard, lets customers scan their iPhones at checkout to earn points towards free sandwiches. Additionally, users can browse their Subcard ID number and the total of number of points they've earned right in Passbook. Currently Subway does not offer Passbook support in the US, nor does it have a countrywide Subway app. Subcard is a free download from the UK App Store.
NYC subway wireless goes live in 30 stations, Sprint and Verizon signing on soon (updated)
Wireless access in New York City's subway system has so far been limited, at best: two GSM carriers, one WiFi provider and six stations does not a full network make. Coverage is getting much wider, however, as Transit Wireless just flicked on access in 30 extra stations. While cellular service with this batch is still limited to AT&T and T-Mobile for now, it reaches a much wider swath of Manhattan that includes Times Square, Rockefeller Center and the Museum of Natural History. Those on CDMA carriers also won't be left hanging for long -- both Sprint and Verizon have nearly finished making deals to join the project, with Sprint aiming for service later this year. Although the deployment still leaves big holes in carrier support and geographic reach, it's a big leap for travelers with an urge to stay online while underground. [Image credit: Retromoderns, Flickr] Update: Verizon now tells us that it's also aiming for service by the end of the year.
Tokyo Metro finishes rolling out WiFi at its train stations
Train stations deep indoors and underground rarely make for the best places to hit up a smartphone for data, yet they're where a lot of Tokyo residents have to spend their time. Accordingly, it only makes sense that one of the city's chief mass transit providers, Tokyo Metro, would outfit as many of its stations as possible with free WiFi. Expanding on deployments that started in February, every station that Tokyo Metro directly manages now lets travelers hop on WiFi, 15 minutes at a time; Android and iOS users can load up a Manta app to plan their trips and cram in some reading or video in while waiting for the next ride. Whether or not the current arrangement lasts is another matter. The WiFi grid as it exists will continue until the end of July, at which point the network will evolve depending on real-world use. The rollout still won't cover significant stretches of Tokyo, if it holds, but those who want their Google+ on the Ginza line will be happy. [Thanks, @colm_smyth; image credit: Dick Thomas Johnson, Flickr]
NYC MTA to install 90 futuristic touchscreen kiosks across the subway
Replacing those unused telephones that still dot the streets of NYC with high-tech kiosks is just the start. Control Group, one of the companies looking to Reinvent Payphones, has been hired by the MTA to bring its touchscreen and app-driven vision to the New York City Subway system. All told, 90 of 47-inch panels will be installed in stops from Grand Central to Bedford primarily near booths, but also on the platforms themselves. At least initially the rugged displays will primarily be used to feed information about delays and outages and, of course, serve up ads. Eventually, the stainless steel-encased kiosk will be able to run apps approved by the MTA, but the star of the show will be the navigation system that offers a mastery of New York public transportation that Google could only dream of. Sadly there's no concrete timeline for the rollout, we'll just have to keep an eye on the platform. There's one more image waiting after the break for the truly curious.
Real-time arrivals for some NYC subway lines now accessible on iPhone (Updated)
Update: The capable (not to mention iPhone 5- and Retina-aware) subway scheduler app NextStop has been updated to include the realtime info for the relevant lines. It's a much prettier and effective way to get at this info than the MTA's app, which should be considered a beta at best and a technology demonstration at worst. Pity the overwhelmed iOS-equipped NYC straphanger. Not only are owners of iPhones and iPads uniquely responsible for the increase in New York's property crime count this year (as victims, not perpetrators, we hope), but even if they can keep a grip on their much-prized tech, they have to cope with the increased hurdles to getting accurate transit directions via iOS 6's Maps app. It's not all darkness and grime for subway riders, however. Outgoing MTA Chief / mayoral candidate Joe Lhota, who led the heroic effort to bring the subterranean system back online after Superstorm Sandy, said that today is "the day that generations of dreamers and futurists have waited for" as he announced MTA Subway Time, the first mobile app to deliver real-time train arrival countdowns for subway riders. The WSJ notes that New York's initial effort lags far behind the time-aware apps from other transit systems. The Second Avenue Sagas subway blog has a quick take on the app, pointing out the features and flaws of the MTA's approach. On the plus side, the app and the companion website deliver the same data that appears on platform next-train clocks, giving riders the best possible chance to make their trains. Unfortunately, without cellular or WiFi access, you're stuck with the estimated timetables used by apps like Embark, iTrans and NextStop. Aside from the network access challenge and the rather utilitarian design of the app (not optimized for iPhone 5), other issues are somewhat more deeply knotted into New York's subway infrastructure. Rather than the reasonably modern and automated switching systems used on mass transit networks built out in the 1960s and later, most of New York's subway lines are still controlled via fixed-block signaling that was leading-edge back in the 19th century. That's why only the A Division lines (the legacy IRT lines, with numbered designations, plus the 42nd Street Shuttle) are getting this real-time support now; they have the signal upgrades that provide live train progress. Other lines with upgraded signaling already done (the L train) or planned (the 7 line) will be joining the app's list when ready, but the remainder of the system could be stuck in the data drought for years or decades until the signaling overhauls are complete. The MTA knows that third-party developers are eager to make use of this real-time train schedule data, and indeed those working on their own apps can get access to the live feed. Keep an eye out for updates to NYC transit apps early in 2013 featuring live train schedules. (Remember, if you loved Google's transit info, you can use Google Maps in hybrid mode with iOS 6 Maps now if you want.) [Hat tip Matt Flegenheimer]
MTA app for iPhone offers New Yorkers real-time subway arrivals, a small dose of relief
Despite New York City virtually revolving around its mass transit system, local subway riders haven't had a way to check the next arrival in real-time, even though some smaller cities already take live transit details for granted. At least some harried commuters can assuage their minds now that the MTA has posted its Subway Time app for iOS users. The title does exactly what it says on the tin, taking advantage of MTA's signalling installations on the 1 through 6 lines (and the 42nd Street Shuttle) to determine train arrival times down to the minute. Subway Time won't satisfy certain travelers as-is: it doesn't provide directions, and the earliest expansion to additional routes won't happen until the L line's information is linked up in six to 12 months. Passengers running Android and Windows Phone will likewise have to wait for outside developers to finish their own projects. For those of us living in the right areas, however, Subway Time might take away some uncertainty -- even if it's just to confirm that we'll be late.
AT&T, Boingo, T-Mobile agree to back wireless in 30 more New York City subway stations
As welcome as Transit Wireless' strategy for wireless in New York City subways has been, having access in just six stations around one Manhattan district has been limiting for locals who want to stay online underground. Thankfully, there's plans afoot to cover a much wider base. AT&T, Boingo and T-Mobile have offered to back a next wave of expansion that will cover 30 extra stations with cellular and WiFi access, in places we're more likely to recognize: Columbus Circle, Rockefeller Center and Times Square are all part of the rollout. While the tragedy of Hurricane Sandy has pushed back completion to early 2013, it shouldn't be too long before some of the city's most important hubs (and tourist traps) are covered -- and Transit Wireless' ambitions to eventually put wireless in all of New York City's subways could keep every borough online during the daily commute. [Image credit: Retromoderns, Flickr]
Microsoft backs free Boingo WiFi in NYC and San Francisco, hopes you'll see Metro on the metro
Microsoft is about to launch a giant media blitz for Windows 8, and it wants to guarantee that even those of us heads-down in our laptops and smartphones take notice. It's sponsoring Boingo's WiFi, making it free at popular locations in New York City and San Francisco through the holidays to pitch both its new OS and the Windows Store. The San Francisco locations are already active and mostly cover signature locations such as Fisherman's Wharf and Union Square, but Microsoft is going all-out for the New York City campaign starting November 1st: the free WiFi will reach over 200 locations in Manhattan as well as the six NYC subway stations offering underground wireless. While some might not enjoy the hard sell on Windows 8 while they're checking into Foursquare, we'd say it's at least relevant that Microsoft pushes its urban sign UI in the city that was arguably the software's major inspiration. [Image credit: pspyro2009, Flickr]
Hitachi boarding gate can sniff explosives on passes, keep the transport queues flowing (video)
Anyone who's hopped on a flight at a major airport, or even some land-based transit, knows the agonizing wait that certain agencies demand while they scan for explosives and check boarding passes. Hitachi is working with Nippon Signal and the University of Yamanachi to build a new boarding gate that hopefully kills those two security birds with one stone. As you're swiping your boarding pass (or smartphone), the machine also scans it for particle-sized traces of explosive materials and sends the all-clear or no-go in less than two seconds. If all goes well, the system could check up to 1,200 passengers every hour at a single gate -- a rate quick enough to prevent a logjam at even the busiest terminals. Our chief reservations surround its scope. Hitachi has earned enough trust to get trial installations at Narita International Airport and a Tokyo subway station this coming spring, but we have a hunch that some airport officials would demand a more thorough screening, no matter how much it's actually needed.
