Even the most disgruntled of subway riders might have to concede Monday is a good day for straphangers.

At the Bowling Green subway station in lower Manhattan, transit officials on Monday morning will unveil the first “On the Go! Travel Station.” It’s an interactive, 47-inch touchscreen providing a wide array of information about what’s happening below – and aboveground. In addition to travel directions, riders can learn about planned and unplanned service changes – and if the elevators and escalators at their destination station are working.

With the tap of a finger, a rider can summon a map of the neighborhood above and scroll in any direction to see the streets of adjacent neighborhoods. The high-definition screen also features third-party applications for riders to review shopping and dining options in the area – and even get walking directions and distances. The time and weather are displayed at the top of the screen while a news ticker tape runs across the bottom. “This puts at our customers’ fingertips an enormous amount of information they have not had access to before,” said Paul Fleuranges, an NYC Transit division vice president.

I usually don’t post about things in the local news.  But this is just stupid.  Personally I think its a waste of money, if you can’t read the maps that are provided for you there is a serious problem.  How about instead of wasting money on things that aren’t really helpful, MTA you spend money on things like better service to customers and less fare hikes.  I’m just saying.

[via NY Daily News]