Lander Calls for 'Bus Clocks' at NYC Stations

With any luck, straphangers across New York may soon be able to stop wondering when, exactly, their bus will show up.

Councilman Brad Lander, D-Park Slope, met on Monday with other elected officials to call on the city to install digital "bus clocks" at all stops, enabling passengers to know when their ride would be arriving.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority already has plans in place to install GPS in all buses, allowing riders to use their phones to determine how many stops away their bus is.

While the plan, called Bus Time, is a move in the right direction, Lander implored city agencies to do more.

“We have the technology to make our buses more accessible and predictable—we just need to put it to use,” Lander said in a statement. “Bus Time is a great resource, but it should be available to all New Yorkers, including seniors and others who are less likely to use cell phones."

Brooklyn's B63 and B61 buses are already equipped Bus Time, as are all Staten Island and Bronx bus routes. Bus clocks should be the next step, said Councilman Stephen Levin, D-Brooklyn.

“Installing countdown clocks in bus shelters is an easy step that the MTA can and should take to ensure that all riders know when to expect the next bus," he said.

"Simple measures like this will make everyone’s commute more convenient.”