Tag Archives | transit

overthinking transit and change

The inspiration for writing about transit began when I made a point to notice this sign as I descended the stairs at the Tasker-Morris stop on the Broad Street Line last week: Exact fare only. The cashier has no change.

exact fare only

This is not a very friendly message. Since I have a monthly unlimited transpass, I can ignore that sign and keep moving. A few years ago, when I wasn't on the monthly plan, that sign used to anger me every day. Not only did this station require exact change, they did not have token machines either. Unless you're a seasoned rider, you would not know until you get to the cashier that the fare is $2. And if you had a $5 or a $20 bill, it didn't matter. $2 in bills or coins was all that would get you through that turnstile.

As I was pondering this frustration the other day, I realized (to SEPTA's credit) that in the years since I used to visit this stop regularly, they have gotten token machines! Yes, I have seen them many times, but it dawned on me that they did solve one part of the problem. Technically you don't need exact change anymore. If you have a $5 bill, you can put it in the machine and get a few tokens to be used for future trips.

But if you want to buy some tokens with all those quarters you've stashed for a rainy day, forget it! This machine does not accept coins.

this machine does not accept coins

Well SEPTA, you are trying.

I'm still holding out for NYC's MTA plan: MetroCards with declining balances that can be filled up at any station at any time, with cash or credit. Now that's convenient.

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in transit

This is just a tiny post to test out the typepad iPhone app. So far so good!

I am also riding the bus, hence the photo. in transit

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interactions in your environment

During a presentation on user-centered design at my place of employment last week, I found myself gripped by one concept that I had not previously considered in detail when thinking about interactions:  ENVIRONMENT.  Steve Kuhn, our effervescent speaker, gave a few examples of how environment is a crucial part of creating products for your users.  For example, will the user be interrupted frequently, will they be in a hurry, is their environment safe?

Since I am a fan of mass transit interactions, I brought these ideas with me as I got a new MetroCard in NYC this past weekend.  I am already comfortable with the interface, so it’s easy for me to fly right through it.  However, it’s pretty easy for most people, I would think, because the interface is broken into manageable pieces and involves simple, clear instructions and graphics. 

More importantly, the subway is often populated with people from all over the country and the world who are unfamiliar with their surroundings, so the interaction needs to be easy.  These users may also feel a little unsafe or out of sorts in this new and foreign environment.  They seem to catch on quickly, so that must be a good sign.

Next on deck: Automatic Teller Machines, so close, yet so far away…

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interfaces are everywhere

I have been traveling more than usual lately, and by doing so interacting with many different interfaces with regards to printing tickets, finding transportation, etc.  The catalyst for this post happened when I was printing out my airline ticket at Boston’s Logan Airport earlier this week.  I had a confirmation number and I needed to use a touchscreen to enter in the number.  Using my index finger, I started tapping at the screen, but something didn’t feel right.  It was really hard to find the letters I was looking for.  And then I realized that this was because the letters were displayed in a QWERTY keyboard format. 

It seemed very unnatural for me to use one finger to find the letters in that type of format, which was designed to be used with 2 hands, and ideally without even setting eyes on the keyboard.  I think part of this realization was based on the fact that during the last 2 days, I was pecking away on my cellphone keys with my thumb, sending text messages to friends.  The keyboard on a phone is set up in alphabetical order, which is logically, much easier to deal with when using one finger.

My good friends over at Amtrak also use a confirmation number system to print out tickets at the station.  However, their confirmation numbers contain a limited number of letters, so when it comes time to enter in your info, you are presented with a screen of numbers 0-9 and the 6 or so possible letters.  If you’re anything like me, usually you need to bust a move on these machines to catch the train, and the faster/easier the experience, the better.

Finally, back at the Philadelphia Airport*,  I was happy to see how easy it was to access mass transit via the terminal.  If you are following the signs to exit, you have no choice but to pass the clearly marked stairwell to the well-lit train platform.  Pleasantly surprised, indeed, but I still took a cab.  Anyway, they have an LCD screen at the top of the stairwell that indicates what time the trains run — which is :12 and :42 after the hour.  Great!  That makes sense to me, but, hmm… well.. what time is it now?  Sure, I could check my phone or find another source of time, but it seems to me like displaying the current time in the LCD screen along with the train times would be trés helpful.

In the meanwhile, I am going to start taking pictures of more of these interactions so you know what I am talking about.

* If you visit the Philadelphia Airport website, it makes Philadelphia look like Miami. Or Hawaii.  I am curious to know who’s in that white limo.

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get on the bus!

This is the first I heard of it, but Google provides their employees with a fleet of buses to get them to work every day. It doesn’t seem shocking coming from a company like Google, but what’s awesome is that these buses run on biodiesel fuels and alert riders via cellphones and computers if the buses are running late. And they can bring their dogs on the bus! Read the blurb on Treehugger or the original article on the NY Times.

I ride buses all the time here in Philadelphia. I love to walk, too, but when I am in a hurry and the bus is coming and I have the convenience of a monthly transpass, I will hop right on. Generally, I would rather move than stand still, which means that I sort of despise waiting for the bus. If I have no time constraints, I will walk all the way to anywhere, but when I do have to get somewhere in a hurry, walking is not always the best option, which is why I would adore having some knowledge of when the bus is coming via my cellphone. This does not seem like such an impossibility to me technologically speaking, but then again this is Septa that we are dealing with. I wouldn’t exactly say that they instill a lot of confidence, considering their most central hub of transportation, City Hall station, is dark, smelly, and confusing as hell. You need to be a seasoned rider to know your stairwell, which way to turn, etc., because Septa sure hasn’t bothered to properly utilize the simple tool of good signage.

Perhaps Philly can learn a lesson from the recently upgraded Los Angeles transit system, featured in February’s Fast Company. One of the earliest steps that the LA Metro took was to consolidate their public art program and in-house design studio. While environmental concerns and ease of use are of utmost importance, let’s face it, good design is inviting to the public, and increasing ridership is half the battle.

With condos going up all over this city, and with the projected influx of new residents (that might be up for debate), it would be great to have a state of the art transit system to handle the increase in population. I won’t hold my breath, but I will hop on the bus when it comes my way.

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