By Sophia Chang
The Audio Visual Paging System, which was launched in late July, features schedule updates on LED screens that incorporate an audio component.
“It's a state-of-the-art public address system, compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act,” said Sam Zambuto, spokesman for the LIRR. “In addition to providing an improved public address system, it also provides monitors with LED displays and information about trains for that station, specific information for the train on the track where that monitor is located as well as the next few trains that are coming to the station,”
“Upon successful completion, we're looking to expand the system to 35 other stations,” he said. The five other stations currently equipped with the new system are Freeport, Great Neck, Hicksville, Patchogue, and Ronkonkoma. The testing has no projected time frame for completion, according to Zambuto.
The complete program cost is $12 million, with funding earmarked in the Metropolitan Transit Authority-LIRR capital improvement program, Zambuto said. It was too early in the testing to gauge public reaction, he said, but added, “this provides a greater level of train service for our customers.”
