The Simon Tonekham Statesman

I was reading an article on the National Post this morning and I was very impressed that the TTC has (slowly, but surely) implementing the new automated stop announcement system. The transit authority cost them $6.6 million CDN dollars to implement. This was necessary for the TTC because of a recent Human Rights Commission complaint about announcing automated stops as a recommendation.

The person (or persons) behind the new automated system is Ms. Cheryl Bome, a single mother who is hard-working and recently provided the voices for the new automated system. It was a big challenge for her, recording all the streets in the City of Toronto. Now she has finally shown and heard her “Famous” status. Most recently, she is hired by the Chinese City of Chongqing to provide the automated announcements in English and at this time, preparations are now underway.

This is what the console of the automated system looks like (the console is at the left):

With the announcement system in Toronto in place, I was wondering, could Durham Region Transit and/or GO transit could follow suit as well? If they were, I would be impressed. What’s more both transit authorities must choose either an automated Text-To-Speech system (TTS) or must be recording by a person. In my case, I wish that either MuchMusic VJs Devon Soltendieck, Matte Babel, Leah Miller, Sarah Taylor, Hannah Simone or maybe Tim Deegan should voice either the automated announcements for either DRT or GO. This is my impression if Devon Soltendieck voiced the DRT automated stop system:

“Next stop: Sandy Beach Rd. “Next Stop: Brock Road.” “Next Stop: Squires Beach Rd. “Next Stop: Church Street.” “Next Stop: Westney Road.” “Next Stop: Ajax GO Station.” “Next Stop: Richie Avenue/Bramwell Drive.” “Next Stop: Kingston Road.” “Next Stop: Ravenscroft Road.” “Next Stop Magill/Delaney.”, “Next Stop: Coughlen/Sullivan.” “Next Stop: Rossland Road.” “Next Stop: Williamson Drive.”, “Next Stop: Taunton Rd.”, “Next Stop: Salem Rd.”, “Next Stop: Audley Road.”, “Next Stop: Country Lane. Connection to the 301 West Lynde/Otter Creek bus route.”, “Next stop:  Cochrane Street.”, “Next stop: Brock Street. Connection to the 302 Brock/Brooklin/Whitby GO Station route and the GO bus service to Port Perry.” “Next Stop: Garden Street.”, “Next Stop: Anderson Rd.”, “Next Stop: Thickson Rd.”, “Next Stop: Garrard Rd”, “Next Stop: Thornton Road.” “Next Stop: Oshawa Airport”, “Next Stop: Simcoe Street”, “Next Stop: Glover’s Road.”, “Next Stop: Durham College/UOIT. Connection the 1 Simcoe, 916 Rossland, York University Hwy 407 GO bus service and the 950 Port Perry/Uxbridge route.”.

This is just an example if Devon Soltentick voiced the 915 Taunton bus route. As for the GO Transit bus and train system, Stu Holloway (the guy is known for the Old Hide House commercials and provided the voices for Pearson Airport’s Link Train System in English) announce the GO train stops in English. As for the French portion, Monique can voice that (to listen to her voice, go here: http://www.greatvoices.ca/greatvoices/Monique)

With all due respect, here are the automated voices for the TTC – in action:

Video #1:

Video #2:

It is expected that the new system will be full implemented for both bus, streetcar and subway system this February. I can’t wait to see everything is coming together, just like Hannibal and B.A. Baracus says, “I love it, when a plan comes together.“.

Reference:

http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/toronto/archive/2007/12/06/ttc-pair-tell-riders-where-to-get-off.aspx