Different style of platform PIDS display on the same platform

[miklcct]

The pictures show 2 different passenger information display system (PIDS) boards on the same platform. One shows schedule time and on time / expected time and the other only shows countdown.

Why are there both style happening on the same platform? I personally prefer the one without times and countdown only on all local train line like this, with the one showing times only used on mainlines where there are multiple lines with multiple calling patterns operating together.

Moreover, are there any National Rail boards which don't show the calling patterns as well? I think it's just a waste of space here as all trains just call at all stations on this line. The announcement can also just say calling at all stations instead of speaking out every station, which I think it happens at some Underground-managed stations.

 

[D365]

A colleague recently remarked that he prefers with times and without countdowns. Interesting to hear different opinions

 

[NSE]

I think people would be more inclined to run if they see ‘1 Minute’. As opposed to a time. Might be wrong, but that’s what I’d imagine people are more likely to do. I personally have no preference.

One thing that does annoy me is when they use these boards for announcements. I don’t know if LO use theirs for this (more of a general moan) but when I’m on the platform and there’s a minute till departure and the calling pattern has been replaced with ‘please take care with the weather today’. I find it very frustrating.

 

[The exile]

A colleague recently remarked that he prefers with times and without countdowns. Interesting to hear different opinions

Definitely concur with that - though accept it’s less of a problem when the service pattern (ie stops) remains the same all day. Also agree that departure screens should be just that - except in evacuation scale emergencies all other other information belongs elsewhere.

 

[skyhigh]

Why are there both style happening on the same platform?

One is an old one, one is a new one and presumably they didn't have the budget to replace the old one so it matched.

 

[louis97]

One is an old one, one is a new one and presumably they didn't have the budget to replace the old one so it matched.

They could both display the same thing, no need to replace the hardware. Someone clearly ordered the new one and didn't check the configuration of the existing screen. No doubt ordered by someone who never visits stations, and has no idea that screens can be configured differently.

 

[Timmyd]

a more extreme example is Blackfriars platforms 2 and 3 - 2 is the vertical style, 3 is horizontal. Yet both used entirely by Thameslink services (SE tends to run into 4 and has the same style screen as 3). Anyone know why this would be, seeing as the platforms were built and opened at the same time?

 

[Agent_Squash]

a more extreme example is Blackfriars platforms 2 and 3 - 2 is the vertical style, 3 is horizontal. Yet both used entirely by Thameslink services (SE tends to run into 4 and has the same style screen as 3). Anyone know why this would be, seeing as the platforms were built and opened at the same time?

Is platform 3 the same as the original ones, as seen at STP still?

 

[swt_passenger]

a more extreme example is Blackfriars platforms 2 and 3 - 2 is the vertical style, 3 is horizontal. Yet both used entirely by Thameslink services (SE tends to run into 4 and has the same style screen as 3). Anyone know why this would be, seeing as the platforms were built and opened at the same time?

Only the Thameslink core through platforms got the posh new displays, basically. IIRC if you go to London Bridge it’s only platforms 4 and 5 that got them. It’s to provide room for all the carriage loading information etc. I suspect they weren’t provided as part of the station rebuild, they were provided later than that.

 

[Davester50]

A station with a service every 5 minutes, with a regular destination/stopping pattern the countdown works.
A much less frequent service with multiple destinations and calling patterns needs times.

 

[JohnRegular]

Notably, Reading mixes and matches; platforms 10 and 11 (from which fast Paddington trains usually depart) have a countdown in minutes, whereas the rest of the station (I think) shows departure times.

 

[OscarH]

They could both display the same thing, no need to replace the hardware. Someone clearly ordered the new one and didn't check the configuration of the existing screen. No doubt ordered by someone who never visits stations, and has no idea that screens can be configured differently.

At Chichester they replaced the screens at the same time, both the same model (at least to the untrained eye), and one is countdown, one isn't, so it's not just not replacing some without checking. I don't know if it's intentional or not. Personally I don't mind the differing ones because you can look at which you prefer

 

[louis97]

At Chichester they replaced the screens at the same time, both the same model (at least to the untrained eye), and one is countdown, one isn't, so it's not just not replacing some without checking. I don't know if it's intentional or not. Personally I don't mind the differing ones because you can look at which you prefer

I assume the countdown is on the Barnham bound platform? Sounds intentional if that's the case. Otherwise it's possible one of the screens was destined for elsewhere but got diverted there as the original new hardware was faulty.

 

[miklcct]

I have also seen a hybrid as well. At Wembley Central (or some other Underground / Overground stations where both share tracks, but not Willesden Junction), the Underground services don't have a time listed but the Overground services have a time (which is meaningless due to the reason stated above) listed.

 

[Parallel]

I assume the countdown is on the Barnham bound platform? Sounds intentional if that's the case. Otherwise it's possible one of the screens was destined for elsewhere but got diverted there as the original new hardware was faulty.

There are two screens on the Barnham bound platform at Chichester - one does a countdown and one does not - I assume one hasn't been configured correctly!

 

[louis97]

At Chichester they replaced the screens at the same time, both the same model (at least to the untrained eye), and one is countdown, one isn't, so it's not just not replacing some without checking. I don't know if it's intentional or not. Personally I don't mind the differing ones because you can look at which you prefer

In the OPs case the screen in non countdown mode would have been installed years after the one in countdown mode. So not the same as Chichester.

There are two screens on the Barnham bound platform at Chichester - one does a countdown and one does not - I assume one hasn't been configured correctly!

Sounds like incorrect configurations then.