TransLink to open the airwaves
 

TransLink is going to try to hit the right note with commuters by playing music in SkyTrain stations. Spokesman Ken Hardie said the idea of playing music at stations came up in TransLink’s online Buzzer blog.

Hardie said that what was discussed was ‘if we’re waiting for a train, it might be nice to have a little music.’

The online TransLink Listens survey group was polled during the Christmas season and more than 60 per cent of those that responded backed the plan.

Later this year, the transportation authority will have a small pilot program at some stations.

“It’s going to be all Barry Manilow, all the time,” joked Hardie.

Actually, respondents preferred classical music, followed by traditional Christian seasonal music and soft rock.

Other preferred music included rhythm and blues, blues and jazz.

Costs would be minimal because there are already speakers for announcements in stations, but a fee would have to be paid to play music regularly system-wide.

Music would never take precedence over transit service, according to Hardie.

The only reason for music would be as a “value-added” service for customers, he said.

Classical music has been used in the past by some retailers to get rid of loiterers, who don’t appear to be big on Beethoven and the like.

TransLink currently has television monitors in selected stations that display announcements, weather and advertisements, but there is no sound with the displays.
http://www.theprovince.com/Entertain...tml?id=1190264

that would be nice actually

For heavy rush hours, they'll play some System of a Down to get people to push and mosh.

As an everyday transit user, I'm impartial to it. A lot of the people on the platform have some sort of mobile audio device already. And for those that don't, the wait is only about 3-5 minutes?

They should give us wifi instead.

Exactly what I was thinking.

I use in-ear headphones which block out a lot of outside noise. I can't even clearly hear a converstation that is next to me.

eg, they can sell the airwaves with advertising... so more revenue

I'd like Christmas songs during december. other than that, no.

I'd rather bring my own music, it's gonna be hard to satisfy so many people.

This is what I'd be thinking aswell... fast; easy and simple way to make renevue.

Oh boy, skytrain jacking I hear ? :p

lol why would it matter? Most people have their own ipod or whatever. waste of time.

Wifi would be useless...are you actually gonna surf the web at a cramped skytrain station next to a hobo?

wouldnt mind unless they play like elevator music
but i think itll be better just to leave it the way it is

id rather have wifi.

most people are listening to their own music anyway

hell yeah! that'd be fucking awesome haha

agree , why waste money on something thats not a "need". im sure we can spend that money on other things such as better, and more service.

plus, what if they play something that people dislike, it's hard to come to a consensus.

this would actually be a good reason to do this, as long as you don't have the same commercials airing over and over again, which could annoy the fuck out of people. but its always good to increase money in order to improve transit.

i dont know about you guys, but I think listening to a voice while waiting for the skytrain telling me about new promotions is fucking annoying. But i guess everyone is content with the next step in advertising.. over the airwaves.

I'd just rather have them have some kind of timer that will show how long the next skytrain will be.

Hell, if that had that at a bus stop, that would be fantastic. Its not like they don't have GPS on those things anyways.

^skytrains run at 2-3min apart..i don't see a huge need for that.

give us wifi :)