MTA misinformation abounds, readers say
Recently, some Getting There readers have begun acting as self-appointed, free-lance editors of MTA signage, and they appear to have caught some conspicuous boo-boos.
Ricardo Barriera of Halethorpe took the picture at right at the Convention Center light rail station and questioned whether that's the right place to tell people to get off for the M&T Bank (Ravens) Stadium. Hmmm, shouldn't that sign be at Hamburg Street?
Meanwhile, Alan E. Povey of Bolton Hill made the following observations:
Last week, the MTA posted at the Cultural Center light rail stop signs that read, "Penn Station -- At This Stop." Obviously, the stop for Penn Station is Penn Station, not the Cultural Center.
They also posted signs at the Baltimore Street stop reading, "Inner Harbor -- At This Stop." Again, the stop for the Inner Harbor is the Convention Center, not Baltimore Street.
Further, last weekend the MTA's web site informed readers that bus service would be diverted on Charles Street on Sunday, June 20th because of the Gay Pride block party. That event was actually held on Saturday, June 19th.
These bits of misinformation all concerned the small portion of downtown that I frequent. I can only imagine how much misinformation is being spread through the rest of the MTA system. Who is responsible for all of this misinformation? And how much are the taxpayers paying this person each year?
One other thing. On Howard Street northbound, between Lombard and Baltimore, a box is affixed to a pole showing the schedule for the #10 bus to State Center. The number #10 bus has not run up Howard Street to the State Center for several years. Seasoned Baltimore residents probably know enough to ignore all of this misinformation, but it must be very confusing to visitors.
Getting There would love to hear from the MTA on whether the agency wants to stand by any of this signage.
Comments
This is all quite pathetic, the person that installed the Ravens Stadium signed should be fired immediately, there is simply no excuse for that one whatsoever (not that there is much excuse for the others.
I could see a Penn Station sign at Mt. Royal/UB since its usually faster walking from there rather than waiting for the shuttle train, but not at Cultural Center. I could also see the Inner Harbor sign at Camden Yards, but not at Baltimore street.
It makes me wonder if the Baltimore Arena sign is at Lexington Market and the Lexington Market sign at Centre St.
This would be funny if it weren't so pathetic.
Does the MTA care at all? These signs certainly make me think that they don't.
Posted by: Richard | June 23, 2010 9:45 PM
These are all very good points, and others are needed too.
Why do they add the "Camden Yards at this stop" at the Convention Center when they didn't put one at Camden Yards.
I really think that the MTA just does not pay attention. These are great signs, but in horrible places.
Posted by: Chris | June 23, 2010 11:33 PM
Rest assured, MTA agrees that some of the attractions signs recently installed at Light Rail stops are out of place. The incorrect signs will be removed today.
The attractions signs are part of a project to update and standardize signs at five Light Rail stops along Howard Street. In addition to providing more clarity for regular riders, the new signage includes standard international symbols to help visitors. The attractions signs highlight some of the great destinations that are accessible by Light Rail, and were meant to be installed at the stop closest to the destination. Due to a mix-up in the design process the contractor was given incorrect instructions for a few of them.
MTA maintains thousands of signs at bus stops, rail stations, and park and ride lots throughout the region. For bus stops in particular, our goal is to update route numbers within a few weeks of a schedule change, but we do a miss a sign from time to time so we appreciate hearing from sharp-eyed riders. We can usually make the correction within a day or two of hearing about it.
Posted by: Henry Kay | June 24, 2010 10:26 AM
Some of the attraction signs are out of place? Did the people installing the M&T Bank Stadium sign not bother to notice where the giant stadium was and where they were putting in the sign? Are the people the MTA hires this incompetent?
Its one thing to put the wrong bus schedule on the wrong bus stop, its another thing to tell people there is a stadium at that stop when there isn't. That is just simply unacceptable!
Will anyone get off at that stop be puzzled looking for a football stadium? I hope not, but it makes the MTA, the city of Baltimore and the State of Maryland look stupid.
Rather than the fluff statement MTA had above they should have said that the obvious mistake was unacceptable and that this contractor will never be considered by MTA again.
Posted by: Richard | June 24, 2010 5:56 PM
Regarding Penn Station sign. You have to remember that the Penn station light rail train does not come as often as the regular light rail train. The ratio is about 1 Penn Station train for every 2-3 Timonium trains.
So if you do end up on a Timonium train and are headed over to Penn Station, you can get off at the Cultural Center stop and walk down Oliver Street to get to Penn Station.
Many times if there is a major Penn line backup or delay in Washington, MARC commuters will take a Camden line train to Camden Yards and then the Light Rail over to Penn Station using the Cultural Center Stop
Posted by: Courtney | June 24, 2010 9:53 PM
The OIiver Street walk is actually from the Mount Royal stop, not Cultural Center.
I like the idea of these signs, now they just need to be placed at the correct station!
Posted by: Steve | June 25, 2010 9:57 AM