TTC Rejects Video Screens on Subway Cars

***hkskyline*** · September 2nd, 2005, 03:40 AM

TTC quashes plan to install video screens on subway cars
James Cowan
1 September 2005
National Post

The Toronto Transit Commission yesterday rejected a plan to install video screens on subway cars, quashing the proposal before a three-month pilot project could begin.

Built the same size as the overhead advertisements currently displayed on subway cars, the silent screens would have displayed the time, weather forecast and news along with ads. Plans called for the TTC to be able to override the system to show information during transit delays or emergencies. Similar devices have been installed on buses in Orlando and Milwaukee and Atlanta's subway system.

Rick Ducharme, the TTC's general manager, called the system a "tremendous tool."

But TTC commissioners voted 4-3 against the plan.

Councillor Joe Mihevc said the screens were too intrusive. "If you do a study of TTC riders, they do one of three activities: They read, they talk or they enjoy their quiet time," Mr. Mihevc said. "Moving images are a distraction from the culture we have on the TTC."

Earlier this year, the TTC approved the installation of video screens on station platforms, but Mr. Mihevc argued introducing the devices in subway cars "was just pushing it a little too far."

Howard Moscoe, TTC chairman, said the economic benefit of installing the screens was "peanuts." OneStop Communications, the company responsible for the screens, had committed to giving 10% of its revenues to the TTC or a minimum sum of $775,000 over a seven-year term.

Mr. Ducharme was angry the project died before it could be reviewed by the public. "I thought we wanted to know what the public wants. That's all we're trying to find out," he said.

Homer J. Simpson · September 2nd, 2005, 04:11 AM

I don't really agree with the ruling. Normally I am against advertising on transit but the ability of the screens to display information like stoppages could be very valuable as well as generating revinue.

KGB · September 2nd, 2005, 04:30 AM

"Councillor Joe Mihevc said the screens were too intrusive. "If you do a study of TTC riders, they do one of three activities: They read, they talk or they enjoy their quiet time," Mr. Mihevc said. "Moving images are a distraction from the culture we have on the TTC."

Wow...someone who actually uses their brain a little. Most people simply have some knee-jerk reaction like..."hey cool...plasma screens...how high-tech and advanced we must be"

If there were huge revenue benifits to it, ya might compromise...but obviously there's not even any money in it.

Cheers to the TTC for a little common sense.

KGB

katatonic · September 2nd, 2005, 05:46 AM

awww..dame!

York Transit · September 2nd, 2005, 07:17 AM

What culture? If you don't have a book, you're screwed. You have no where else to stare except the floor like everyone else.

DonQui · September 2nd, 2005, 07:18 AM

Madrid has them and it is not all advertising. They give a quick run down of the news and events happening in the city. It is shame that New York does not have them eiter

Byron · September 2nd, 2005, 07:33 AM

Thank God. Let's hope they make the same decision concerning those "animated ads" along the walls of the tunnels we heard about a while ago.

SD · September 2nd, 2005, 08:13 AM

Assuming they would've made significant revenue, this proposal wouldn't have bothered me at all.

Byron · September 2nd, 2005, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SD

Assuming they would've made significant revenue, this proposal wouldn't have bothered me at all.

"OneStop Communications, the company responsible for the screens, had committed to giving 10% of its revenues to the TTC or a minimum sum of $775,000 over a seven-year term. "

The TTC would be making $77,000 per year. Honestly, who negotiates these things?

SD · September 2nd, 2005, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Byron

"OneStop Communications, the company responsible for the screens, had committed to giving 10% of its revenues to the TTC or a minimum sum of $775,000 over a seven-year term. "

The TTC would be making $77,000 per year. Honestly, who negotiates these things?

Yea...pretty sad. Kind of pointless this being the case.

officedweller · September 2nd, 2005, 11:06 AM

Quote:

"They read, they talk or they enjoy their quiet time,"

He forgot "they stare at their feet to avoid looking at other people" and "they stare at people's armpits"

I think the screens would have been the same as the screens in office building elevators flicking through the news.

Are Be · September 2nd, 2005, 02:57 PM

IDIOTS! Typical Toronto- turn down free money and then wonder why you don't have enough.

salvius · September 2nd, 2005, 07:56 PM

There's no money coming from the deal... We get them installed, they display mostly advertisments, and this is supposed to be a 'donation' somehow?

Jaye101 · September 3rd, 2005, 01:35 AM

C'mon video screens on the subway, it's cool

mckarisma · September 4th, 2005, 05:02 AM

yeah its cool and all, but the ROI just isn't there!!

September 2nd, 2005, 03:40 AM	#1
*hkskyline* Hong Kong Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 71,050 Likes (Received): 825	TTC Rejects Video Screens on Subway Cars TTC quashes plan to install video screens on subway cars James Cowan 1 September 2005 National Post The Toronto Transit Commission yesterday rejected a plan to install video screens on subway cars, quashing the proposal before a three-month pilot project could begin. Built the same size as the overhead advertisements currently displayed on subway cars, the silent screens would have displayed the time, weather forecast and news along with ads. Plans called for the TTC to be able to override the system to show information during transit delays or emergencies. Similar devices have been installed on buses in Orlando and Milwaukee and Atlanta's subway system. Rick Ducharme, the TTC's general manager, called the system a "tremendous tool." But TTC commissioners voted 4-3 against the plan. Councillor Joe Mihevc said the screens were too intrusive. "If you do a study of TTC riders, they do one of three activities: They read, they talk or they enjoy their quiet time," Mr. Mihevc said. "Moving images are a distraction from the culture we have on the TTC." Earlier this year, the TTC approved the installation of video screens on station platforms, but Mr. Mihevc argued introducing the devices in subway cars "was just pushing it a little too far." Howard Moscoe, TTC chairman, said the economic benefit of installing the screens was "peanuts." OneStop Communications, the company responsible for the screens, had committed to giving 10% of its revenues to the TTC or a minimum sum of $775,000 over a seven-year term. Mr. Ducharme was angry the project died before it could be reviewed by the public. "I thought we wanted to know what the public wants. That's all we're trying to find out," he said. __________________ Hong Kong Photo Gallery - Click Here for the Hong Kong Galleries World Photo Gallery - \| New York \| London \| Egypt \| Dubai \| Shanghai \| Xian \| Tokyo \| Kyoto \| Prague Beijing, Seoul, Taipei, Mumbai, Iceland, Sydney, Rocky Mountains, Toronto, and much more!

September 2nd, 2005, 04:11 AM	#2
Homer J. Simpson Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Sector 7-G Posts: 2,467 Likes (Received): 0	I don't really agree with the ruling. Normally I am against advertising on transit but the ability of the screens to display information like stoppages could be very valuable as well as generating revinue. __________________ "Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives." --John Stuart Mill Special thanks to Ttownfeen for giving me the author of the quote above To quote some wise men whos names I can not remember: "Conservative politics is like masterbation, it takes a lot of jerking things around and only pays off for those who do it."

September 2nd, 2005, 07:33 AM	#7
Byron Never Nude Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Toronto Posts: 676 Likes (Received): 0	Thank God. Let's hope they make the same decision concerning those "animated ads" along the walls of the tunnels we heard about a while ago. __________________ Harvard's Memory Loss Clinic, established in 1952, 1967, and for the first time in 1981.

September 3rd, 2005, 01:35 AM	#14
Jaye101 Midtown Fella Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: █♣█ Toronto Posts: 5,361 Likes (Received): 0	C'mon video screens on the subway, it's cool __________________ Jaye's Rant 5: Take Back Your Future! Jaye's Rant 6: Tomorrow's Too Late Jaye's Rant 7: An Afro-centric Solution Jaye's Rant 8: The G-Word

September 4th, 2005, 05:02 AM	#15
mckarisma Yonge and Eglinton-Midtwn Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Toronto/ NYC/ Boston Posts: 250 Likes (Received): 0	yeah its cool and all, but the ROI just isn't there!! __________________ Toronto. Good livin...

September 2nd, 2005, 04:30 AM	#3
KGB Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: TO Posts: 5,820 Likes (Received): 1	"Councillor Joe Mihevc said the screens were too intrusive. "If you do a study of TTC riders, they do one of three activities: They read, they talk or they enjoy their quiet time," Mr. Mihevc said. "Moving images are a distraction from the culture we have on the TTC." Wow...someone who actually uses their brain a little. Most people simply have some knee-jerk reaction like..."hey cool...plasma screens...how high-tech and advanced we must be" If there were huge revenue benifits to it, ya might compromise...but obviously there's not even any money in it. Cheers to the TTC for a little common sense. KGB

September 2nd, 2005, 05:46 AM	#4
katatonic BANNED Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Toronto Posts: 156 Likes (Received): 0	awww..dame!

September 2nd, 2005, 07:17 AM	#5
York Transit Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Toronto Posts: 252 Likes (Received): 0	What culture? If you don't have a book, you're screwed. You have no where else to stare except the floor like everyone else.

September 2nd, 2005, 07:18 AM	#6
DonQui BANNED Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Free City-State of New York Posts: 6,208 Likes (Received): 0	Madrid has them and it is not all advertising. They give a quick run down of the news and events happening in the city. It is shame that New York does not have them eiter

September 2nd, 2005, 08:13 AM	#8
SD Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 975 Likes (Received): 0	Assuming they would've made significant revenue, this proposal wouldn't have bothered me at all.

September 2nd, 2005, 02:57 PM	#12
Are Be BANNED Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,304 Likes (Received): 0	IDIOTS! Typical Toronto- turn down free money and then wonder why you don't have enough.

September 2nd, 2005, 07:56 PM	#13
salvius Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 3,516 Likes (Received): 0	There's no money coming from the deal... We get them installed, they display mostly advertisments, and this is supposed to be a 'donation' somehow?

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