Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

18 Bus Countdown Clocks Headed to the North Shore of Staten Island

By Nicholas Rizzi | December 18, 2014 1:47pm
 State Sen. Diane Savino allocated $350,000 to install at least 18 new bus countdown clocks at stops in the North Shore.
State Sen. Diane Savino allocated $350,000 to install at least 18 new bus countdown clocks at stops in the North Shore.
View Full Caption
DNAinfo/Nicholas Rizzi

STAPLETON — North Shore commuters will soon have a better idea how long they need to wait for a bus.

State Sen. Diane Savino has allocated $350,000 to the Department of Transportation for bus countdown clocks at least 18 stops in her district. 

The signs use MTA's Bus Time to display the number of stops until the bus arrives and can be a big help for seniors without access to smartphones to plan their rides, Savino said.

"Some people are not in the digital age, especially our seniors," Savino said.

"This real-time passenger information is going to make a big difference. When it's cold or inclement weather, it may give them the opportunity to go inside, go shopping, maybe get a cup of coffee."

Last year, the DOT started a pilot program for the solar powered signs and installed two on Staten Island one at Bay and Prospect streets and the other at Hylan Boulevard and Reno Avenue. 

In July, Councilman Steven Matteo allocated $200,000 to bring more of the clocks to his district.

Staten Island DOT Commissioner Tom Cocola said they did not have specific spots in the North Shore to install the newly funded clocks where the new countdown clocks would go, but the agency would start to study the best places in the next few months.