Bringing our trains into the late 20th century
As the crown jewel of southern Ontario’s GO Transit/ Metrolinx transit empire, the Union-to-Pearson UP Express, prepares to finally rumble into existence, one’s mind turns to the question of when Ontario’s passenger rail provider will begin implementing features common among more advanced rail systems elsewhere in the world. A seeming lack of vision at Metrolinx, and creakingly slow adoption of modern rail technologies, realistically, and unfortunately, puts the answer at a decade or three in the future. Until then, Ontario’s commuters will, as always, have to make do with dated technology for the foreseeable future.
The bellwether in terms of advanced rail technology is the extensive, ultra-modern and truly impressive transportation system enjoyed in Japan; unsurprising given their 22 billion annual passenger trips, and being home to 44 of the world’s 50 busiest train stations. A solid 15 years ahead of Ontario in that regard, their rail system provides a number of conveniences only dreamt of by GO Transit passengers, and sets the benchmark to which Metrolinx et al should aspire.
Micro-transactions
Long day at work? Need a quick drink or snack from a station vending machine or café? If you’re in Ontario, you had better dig out the wallet and start counting change, or have a credit card ready. In Japan, however, the Tokyo’s Suica Card, the Japanese equivalent of Metrolinx’s Presto Pass, is fully integrated with surrounding businesses, restaurants, kiosks and vending machines for instant, cashless micro-transactions. Think Tap-and-Go payments, but made with your train card.
Platform-mounted vending machines at Japanese train stations are as technologically advanced as they are ubiquitous. Apart from the ability to accept cashless payments, many are equipped with LCD touchscreens, motion activated lighting and smart energy consumption; a stark contrast to the machines common in Ontario that look as though they were purchased from a Soviet surplus shop.
When will such marvels, which have been in place in Tokyo since 2003, come to Ontario? According to a Metrolinx spokesperson, not any time soon. At present, Metrolinx’s focus is on “the successful roll out of PRESTO fare payment technology on UP Express, TTC and third-party para-transit services.” Translation: We still need to make sure our fare cards can be used to pay train and bus fares before expanding their usage.
Mobile fare payments
Japan’s Suica system is not only limited to a physical card. Mobile Suica, a cellphone enabled app that links a user’s train card and utilizes NearField Communication (NFC) technology, allows for tap-and-go payments, including train fares, direct from one’s phone. With Apple finally joining the NFC bandwagon, and with Android phones having long underutilized NFC capabilities, phonebased fare and micro-transactions would seem to be a natural next step for the Presto Card.
As for Metrolinx, mobile payments are said to be high on their priority list, behind the aforementioned UP Express and TTC rollouts. While one is best advised not to hold their breath, it is at least heartening that Metrolinx has expressed greater enthusiasm for mobile payments than it has towards expanding Presto’s micro-transaction capabilities.
Machine-based card charging
Few GO Transit experiences are more disheartening than arriving at Union Station and discovering an online Presto pass top-up has yet to transfer, for then it is time to abandon all hope of catching one’s train home as the prospect of standing in line to manually add funds at an understaffed kiosk looms. The alternative is to bite the bullet and pay for a fullprice paper fare at a ticket machine, entirely undermining the point of having a Presto card.
The technology for ticket machines that charge Presto-style cards — cards that do not utilize traditional credit card-style chips or magnetic stripes — has been around for over a decade and are well-used in Japan. Experienced Tokyo commuters can add funds and be on their way in seconds, which, combined with plentiful machine charging stations, makes lineups all but unheard of, even in some of the world’s busiest train stations.
Will Ontario commuters be given such convenience? To Metrolinx’s credit, yes, and soon. According to Metrolinx, Self-Serve Reload Stations are slated for rollout next month; a long overdue addition, but better late than never.
Apps
While Metrolinx has a serviceable, if basic, app for displaying train schedules, track departure information for Union Station and delay information, much can be added. JR East, one of Japan’s largest rail conglomerates, recently launched an app that includes features such as real-time updates on train location, and even train cars’ arrival location relative to the station platform (handy for those needing to make a tight connection).
Where the app really distinguishes itself, however, is its car-by-car information. By utilizing cars’ built-in wireless Access Points, real-time updates are provided on individual cars’ interior temperature and even passenger volume. For the office worker hoping to score a seat on a relatively uncrowded train, the app is a lifesaver.
Metrolinx has a tough row to hoe ahead of it in terms of catching up to more technologically advanced transit systems. As public transit becomes more popular in the province, however, with luck and forward-thinking on the part of Metrolinx brass, there is hope Ontario’s rail system no longer lags so far behind.
Why does rail service in and around our largest city ignore all the hugely convenient technological strides of recent years?