MTA New York City Transit Brings Countdown Clocks to SIR

MTA New York City Transit President Carmen Bianco joined City Council Minority Leader Vincent M. Ignizio at the Staten Island Railway’s Eltingville Station to unveil new real-time train-tracking screens, commonly known as countdown clocks that will offer SIR customers real-time train arrival information. 

Eltingville is one of four SIR stations equipped with the new customer information signs that also provide riders with additional service information and notifications.  The displays are part of a three-phase tracking system project funded with $675,000 from Councilman Ignizio’s capital budget that also includes a web dashboard that will soon allow Staten Island commuters to get real-time information for every SIR train on their computers, smartphones, and other mobile devices.

"Providing real time arrival information and additional service information is part of our ongoing efforts to bring new technology and convenience to all of our customers," said Bianco. "Furthermore, later this year, a web desktop interface will allow SIR customers to access train arrival information from their home/work computer as well as through our Subway Time app and other third-party applications.”

Ignizio, who grew up in Eltingville, said he recalls hearing the train approaching and starting to run for it or being there on off hours wondering when it would arrive, or what schedule was the train operating on.  When he saw the technology being used successfully in the subways he said he was determined to make this technology available to his fellow Staten Island commuters.

“As a frequent Staten Island Railway rider, a frustrating part of my trip is not knowing when my train is going to arrive or whether I just missed it, whether I’ll make the next scheduled ferry, and whether I’ll need to adjust my plans accordingly. These signs and this technology will provide that critical information,” said Ignizio.

The customer information screens have already been installed on the St. George-bound side of the Great Kills, Eltingville, Annadale and Huguenot SIR stations.  Screens will soon go up on the  Tottenville-bound platforms of the four stations.