News

GS Planet reports increased use at transportation kiosks

August 12, 2002

NEW YORK -- New York commuters are increasingly seeking out kiosks to keep up to date with transportation information, according to a report from Public Access Network Services (PANS).

PANS, owner of the GS Planet Network, reports nearly 104 million visitors used GS Planet kiosks in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut during the last year. Millions of those used the eight kiosks in Manhattan's Port Authority bus terminal, according to a PANS news release.

The survey indicated the top 10 consumer Web sites visited from the GS Planet kiosks in June offered transportation information, directions, traffic updates, travel advisories and local travel schedules.

Statistics and traffic patterns for the public access Internet kiosks were gathered from Manhattan's Port Authority bus terminal, Newark and LaGuardia airports, Journal Square train station in New Jersey, Liberty State Park and various other high-traffic transportation hubs. Kiosks at train stations and highway service areas in Stamford, New Haven and Fairfield, Conn., also were included.

PANS updated its technology platform in March, using Netkey Manager and Creator software for overall system management, operations and reporting. In July, PANS upgraded to version 6 of the Netkey suite, according to the release.

Each GS Planet kiosk features a 19-inch touchscreen, a DSL Internet connection, a printer, and is capable of displaying full motion video with sound. Scrolling advertising messages can be placed on a separate monitor.

PANS is developing a kiosk program for New York City government agencies, including the Department of Finance, the Department of Buildings and the Port Authority corporate offices. The deployments will use Netkey software, according to the release.