Subway Countdown Clocks Live For G, E Trains, MTA Says

NEW YORK, NY — Countdown clocks are now live along the G and E lines, the MTA said Thursday, giving riders real-time arrival information at subway stations where those trains run.

The G and E lines join C and R trains with the technology. The MTA said it plans to have countdown clocks servicing all lettered trains by the end of 2017.

"The days when customers on our lettered lines are forced to peer down a subway platform looking for headlights will soon be over," MTA Chairman Joe Lhota said in a statement. "Bringing real-time train arrival information to all stations is part of our aggressive and immediate efforts to improve the customer experience through increased reliability and capacity, enhanced stations and safety, and clear and accurate communication."

The lettered lines use a "beacon technology" to give arrival information. That includes placing Bluetooth receivers throughout the trains and on station platforms.

The arrival times are then beamed to LCD screens that have been installed on platforms across the system.

"Beacon technology does not involve invasive modifications to station infrastructure and can be deployed at a fraction of the costs associated with the countdown clocks already in the system," MTA Managing Director Veronique Hakim said in a statement. "More importantly, it’s part of an Action Plan that puts our customers first."

Countdown clocks are now in 296 stations, including 156 stations on numbered lines and 24 on the L, the only line to use the modern, communications-based signaling system.

That system is currently being installed on the 7 line, too.

Lead image by Marc Torrence/Patch.com