The manager of Guelph Transit says they have heard the public loud and clear and will return the bus schedules that had previously been posted at every stop in the city.
Guelph Transit recently removed the static bus schedules that had previously been posted on every bus stop and replaced it with an ID number so users could check on bus arrival times in real time.
In a Jan. 5 news release, the city of Guelph said all bus stops in the city were now outfitted with a bus stop ID to track real-time bus arrival information by smart phone.
Some members of the public reacted negatively to the fact the new signage replaced the static schedule that had previously been printed at every bus stop.
In dozens of posts, users on social media opposed changes to the signage.
On Jan. 8, Twitter user Kaley McDermott posted “Guelph Transit is purposely making the transit system less accessible by taking down bus schedules. This is a truly shameful action making the system even more confusing than it was before for those who are not fortunate enough to have cell phones, and it is disgusting.”
Reached by phone Tuesday, Guelph Transit GM Mike Spicer said many users enjoyed the real-time information but they also heard from many who did not.
As a result of the feedback, Spicer said Guelph Transit will replace the newly-installed signs with one that shows the static schedule as well as the bus stop ID.
“We saw the real-time information as being something that would be more exciting, but we heard a little differently. We decided it’s in our best interest to go back to that, if that’s what they use. We want to be able to provide our customers with the tools they use and we heard loud and clear that is one of them,” said Spicer.
Some users enjoyed using the real-time information, Spicer noted.
The change is going to require Guelph Transit to reprint the schedules and repost them at every stop — something Spicer said will take between 30 and 60 days.
The new signs will begin to be installed early next week, he said.
Spicer said he still believes the real-time information is a great tool for transit users.
“To know when the bus will arrive on real time — I still see that as a great benefit,” he said.
The following are a selection of social media posts about the previous removal of static schedules from the bus stops:
Not everyone has a cell phone so how can u tell what time the bus will come
— april (@BBall10) January 6, 2018
This new system sounds disadvantaging: it assumes that everyone who takes public transit has access to a phone &can afford a phone plan.
— Abi Lemak (@AbiLemak) January 5, 2018
People don't want to have to take out their phone (assuming they have one in the first place) in freezing weather/snowstorms/rainfalls. Feels like an effort to stop people from complaining about late buses by stopping them from seeing when it's supposed to come. Counterproductive
— Insy Pinsy (@insy_pinsy) January 5, 2018
@guelphtransit is purposely making the transit system less accessible by taking down bus schedules. This is a truly shameful action making the system even more confusing than it was before for those who are not fortunate enough to have cellphones, and it is disgusting
— Kaley McDermott✌️ (@KalesMcD) January 9, 2018
