Toronto Transit Commission Spends $5.2 Million On SMS Alert System

December 16, 2008 11:39 a.m. EST

Toronto, Ontario (AHN) - The Toronto Transit Commission invested $5.2 million into a global positioning system technology which will provide riders by early 2010 text alerts what time will the next bus or train arrive.

Aside from sending SMS alerts on the cellphones of TTC riders if a bus or train will arrive on schedule or will be delayed, the same information will be available on LCD displays inside stations. By 2009, 350 outdoor transit shelters across Toronto will have LED screens which will display the arrival information.

The information will help riders determine if they will have sufficient time to grab a bite until the next r train arrives or if they have to take a cab to reach their destination on time, said TTC chair Adam Giambrone, who gave on Monday riders a peek at the new LED screen found at the 510 Spadina streetcar platform.

Initially the information available will be for TTC trains, by 2010 the data on bus schedules and streetcar stops will also be received as text messages by Toronto commuters.

Meanwhile, on New Year's Eve, Toronto commuters will enjoy a free ride on the TTC which will be shouldered by brewers Molson and Labatt. TTC's sponsor last year for the free ride was Capital One.

The free service will be available from midnight until 4 a.m. of Jan. 1. The $2.75 free fare will cost the two sponsors about $85,000. The gratis ride home is TTC's way of ensuring that road accidents due to drunken driving will be prevented by offering intoxicated New Year revelers an alternative way of going home without them sitting behind the wheel and risking the lives of other travelers.