SkyTrain announcements now include which side doors open on
SkyTrain announcements now include which side doors open on
When riding SkyTrain’s Expo and Millennium Lines, you might have noticed that our “next station” announcements are a little different now — they now announce whether doors will open to the left or right when the train arrives at the station.
It will make an announcement, voiced by Laureen Regan, that’s a variation of, “The next station is … Edmonds. Doors will open on the right,” depending on the station the train’s at.
It’s all part of our effort to make transit more accessible for everyone, and a little bit easier for customers with sight loss as well as those who are new to riding SkyTrain.
These accessibility improvements were the result of advice and feedback from TransLink’s Access Transit Users’ Advisory Committee (UAC) and other stakeholders. The UAC provides ongoing advice on TransLink plans, programs, and initiatives, making sure that accessibility issues are always considered.
But, that’s not all — we’ve also shortened our boarding announcements on the Expo Line to make it simpler and more succinct. Now, at most stations, you’ll no longer hear, “This is an Expo Line Train to King George,” but rather a simple “Train to King George.”
Have you heard the new announcements? If so, let us know what you think!
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These announcements are improved. Especially the shortened versions of “Train to King George.”
However, the “Train to King George” is not played after doors have opened at various times at various station.
I also noticed during the nightly track work hours, at Main Street and Commercial-Broadway stations, the announcements for which side the doors open are inaccurate. For instance, at Main Street when trains entering Platform 1 going eastbound, the announcements state that doors open on the left when doors open on the right. Another example is at Commercial-Broadway when trains entering Platform 3/5 going eastbound, it only stated that doors open on the left when door actually open on both sides.
apparently Canada Line is not skytrain.
The vocal emphasis in the notifications is a bit strange: “The doors WILL open on the right”. As opposed to “WON’T? Why not “The doors will open on the RIGHT”? (vs LEFT).
Maybe it’s just me, but with the new door opening announcements, announcements before each station just feel too long and I began to pay less attention to them in general, and it made it harder for me to follow at which station I am when riding skytrain.
It also reminded me of Canberra light rail excessive announcements – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zypJkkM7DlY
The shortened version of “Train to King George / Train to Production Way – University” is really nice, however “Train to Waterfront” is probably unnecessary.
I think trains are getting too talky. Do we really need this? I supposed for someone with vision impairment it is a good thing. Please keep it short. I get so annoyed with all of the train announcements on north american metro systems.
One that I find annoying the most is the “This train is for Waterfront” after departure. Why? It’s too late, the train has left the station. Get rid of that and just announce the next station as the train approaches.
Would be a great improvement too if these changes could be made to the Canada Line announcements too, which always seems to be forgotten when it comes to stuff like this.
The wording in the Canada Line announcements (which David alludes to) is poor, too. Due to a mumbled enunciation, “this train is for Waterfront” sounds more like “This train is from Waterfront”, which makes no sense.
Clearer would be “this is a train to Waterfront”. The preposition “to” is unambiguous. “For” is a little less decisive (it sort of implies a political position on part of the train).
I think this is a great addition, especially in terms of accessibility. Would it be possible, on trains with door indicator lights, to program them to flash on the side the doors will open in sync with the “Next station is” announcement? A small but useful addition for hearing impaired riders.
Good idea but it’s incorrect every day. I often hear “doors will open on the ____” only to see them open on the opposite side. If we’re truly trying to help make it more accessible then accuracy is essential.