Have LED boards at Disney Bus Stops been considered?

[ValpoCory]

In several major cities, at some of their bus stops they have LED information boards, telling the riders the bus name/number and estimated time until arrival for the next couple buses. This type of information seems perfectly suited for Disney World. You could easily tell what is coming and whether you have time to go back to your room for something or go shop for a minute.

Also, many cities have a Smart Phone app which accesses the same server, which would let families in their room know if they need to hustle or take their time in order to make the next Magic Kingdom bus, for example.

Does anyone know if Disney is considering or has ever considered such a system?

Thanks in advance.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

City buses are on published schedules. Therefore, you can use technology like that. There is no published schedule that Disney drivers keep. They go by demand.

There was a transportation rep at our bus stop at Saratoga Springs every morning. I think it was there job to monitor the frequency of the buses.

 

[goofy4tink]

Way too many variables at WDW. As already noted, large cities have buses/trains that have published schedules, so it's not nearly as hard to post arrival times. But, with Disney buses, they could add one at the last minute, or one could be detoured to a different resort before heading to what was supposed to be the next one. Like I said, too many variables.

You seldom have enough time to go back to your room and then return to the bus stop without missing a bus. The buses seldom arrive more than 20 mins apart....and usually it's a shorter period than that.

 

[chartle]

I would say probably yes but I doubt anyone here is privy to that info.

It would be possible only if all the buses have gps that works and a system that knows where they are going.

 

[Lewisc]

I read it was being considered. PP is correct. It was part of a system which included GPS units in the buses.

Buses are dispatched. Once a bus is dispatched GPS can keep track of it's location and approximately how many minutes until it arrives at its pick up location.

Alternately the system can display approximately how many minutes until a bus which is anticipated being dispatched should arrive at it's pick up location. The times would be continuously updated.

 

[dizct]

The NYC subway does not run on a published schedule but every station now has a sign that tells you how long until the next train. So it probably could be done without a published schedule so long as a dispatcher knows where a bus is and where it is going. Sounds like a great idea!

 

[KGK]

The NYC subway does not run on a published schedule but every station now has a sign that tells you how long until the next train. So it probably could be done without a published schedule so long as a dispatcher knows where a bus is and where it is going. Sounds like a great idea!

NYC subways do indeed run on schedules. http://www.mta.info/nyct/service/schemain.htm

But I agree with you that a dispatcher might be able to update an electronic board. Would seem to be a large investment however. I just assume a 20-30 minute wait when I arrive at a bus stop in WDW. Having the time posted wouldn't change my waiting.

On the subway, bus etc the schedule allows me to arrive at the station to be in time for a specific train, bus etc. Unless WDW transportation published a specific schedule, I would still have to go the the bus stop and wait. Knowing how long just doesn't matter at that point.

 

[Lewisc]

Unless WDW transportation published a specific schedule, I would still have to go the the bus stop and wait. Knowing how long just doesn't matter at that point.

Assume the board shows a 30 minute wait, you just missed a bus. Some people might pay the few dollars for a taxi. Others might decide they have a few minutes to grab a drink or visit the resort gift shop. Bathroom. Some might change their plans. Skip going to DTD for lunch. Not worth the wait. Eat in the resort then go to a theme park.

 

[seashoreCM]

I would like to see the LED* board at the park entrance, several feet before the turnstiles.

This way, upon leaving the park I can know whether ...

... if (I) need to hustle or take (my) time in order to make the next (snip) bus ...

Disney has created state of the art mechanical, electrical, and electronic equipment of many kinds, and is certainly capable of creating LED boards for this purpose.

* "Bulletin" board with arrays of light emitting diodes to construct dot-matrix illuminated letters and words and numbers.