New service allows riders to text the TTC to learn how late streetcars will be

The service’s stickers went up in May, but those texting for TTC schedules via the new streetcar notification system have been disappointed every time (see frustration, left). That is, until now.

Starting late last week, transit users can get a text message sent to their phone telling them how long they have to stand in the blazing sun or bitter cold before the next streetcar arrives. The new system will use a GPS tracking system to draw up the times of when the next six streetcars are scheduled to arrive. The location number and phone number to text for the schedule are posted at 600 streetcar stops around the city. The idea has been a long time coming, and has been ushered into being by TTC chair Adam Giambrone.

The system is pretty much a carbon copy of the one used for buses in Ottawa—the city that happens to have the highest per capita user costs in Ontario, according to a CTV report from last month. The TTC has also announced plans to have cellphone reception in subway stations by mid-2012—a mobile partner will be chosen by the end of the year—which means that while the subway or streetcar ride may not be faster, at least we’ll have more things to play with while we wait.

• Text system gives streetcar arrival times [CBC]
• TTC resurrects plan to wire subways for cellphone service [Globe and Mail]