OMFG: MTA Starts Real-Time Email, Text Messages

At a press conference this morning, MTA executive Elliot Sander announced a "major initiative" that will enable the authority to let riders know how hard their commutes are going to suck with text messaging and email alerts in real time. The MTA has been working toward a real-time update system for several years now, starting out with weekly email updates and sporadic advisories on their website. In a statement, Sander said, "This is a revolutionary step that has the potential to transform the experience our customers have with us."

Starting today, riders can sign up to receive emails and text messages about "planned and unplanned service changes about any combination of subway lines, bus routes, rail lines, bridges or tunnels. They can choose to receive them 24/7, or only during a particular time of day or week. The system will use an email transmission technology called Distributed Processing, giving it the capability of sending out up to a million messages every five minutes."

The MTA says the new service costs them $10,000 per month under a partnership with MIS Sciences Corporation, and includes an unlimited volume of emails and text messages. So expect these updates to come as frequently as messages from a trigger-happy texting tween pecking, "U UP? LMFAO @ G Trane MOFOS!!!" Sign up here to join the fun.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By John Del Signore in News on November 25, 2008 2:51 PM

Comments [rss]

Mac1405

I signed up this week for alerts on the N & W lines. I have only gotten updates for LIRR so far...awesome! Also, the time periods you can select are rather large. I don't need updates at 4 am, if I just want morning rush hour alerts. USELESS.

dwburns

This is helpful so that I can reroute if there are problems on one of the lines I use. However, they need to keep the text messages to 160 chars. I received several long alerts this morning that were split up between 2 or 3 texts. I have a limited number each month and at this rate I'll go over.

Also, the actual sign up link is here: http://www.mymtaalerts.com

Art Vandelay

It worked for me this morning. I got one message saying there was a stalled L train, then another about 30 minutes later saying trains were moving again. Both messages were correct and matched what was happening underground.

I'm as skeptical as anyone of the MTA and its ability to do things right, but so far, so good.

noktulo

I proposed something like this for the DC system a while back. I'm glad to see someone had the same idea.

http://www.insomniapocalypse.com/web-design/metro-automatic-delay-notifier

Think2wice

I should feel reassured, and yet I'm not. Is my confidence gap with the MTA that wide?

cucarachita

there's no sign up on that site. Just help signups, for people who already signed up.

babyhitler

how the hell will this help? all the texts will be "service out. you are screwed. oh well". I mean, before you were screwed but now you'll just get a heads up when they sodomize you.

Snoopy

They can't get their trains to run on time and now they want to get into the telecommunications business? They can't even get their speakers to work properly on the platforms. Here's a typical message as I last heard waiting for the local at the 14th street station. "The ne% train is appro#*&() the 3"+@ &*%^tion. Please stand $#l& as the train #$%!@.

peanut100

the less interaction i have with the mta the better. why the hell would i want these f'ers texting me???

less service, higher fares, but ooooh we have text messages!!!!

goodcow

So I signed up and within the past five minutes, it's sent me this message, five times:

DISABLED VEHICLE WHITESTONE BRIDGE SOUTHBOUND CENTER LANE BLOCKED

1) It's sending duplicate messages

2) I don't even have alerts activated for "Bridges and Tunnels"

3) They need to hire an editor so IT ISN'T YELLING AT ME

Inept fucks can't launch anything properly.

mihow

I hate how cynical that last comment was. I am all for helping people and business if they are in need. All for tax dollars going to the areas that need it, but I get so annoyed when things aren't run well and that's why we're being forced to throw money at it.

The MTA has some issues that need to be worked out internally. If they do that and they still need money, so be it. But I can't help but think that they are failing miserably because they direly need an internal overhaul.

That is all.

Snoopy

It's all those metal framed bikes with spinning spoked wheels that are causing this problem. Call the DOT and complain.

mihow

Good thing they're thinking of charging car owners in order to pay for nifty things like this.

abzme

if they put an advertisement on the bottom, maybe they can get some extra cash....

Tgirl

thanks but no thanks...

teenseagull

HONESTLY.

mrmagoo

this is unbelievable! its such a waste of money!!!!

Wza

this text will cost you down the rd

peace out,

mta

:)

blablanyc

Now if they could only get cell phone service in the subway they will be on the right track.

Councilman Simcha "Bright Eyes" Felder:

“Why does there have to be cell service to the end of the platform?” he asked. “At least this way it would automatically stop people from walking into the trains or walking off the platform.”

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/11/the-pros-and-cons-of-underground-cellphone-technology/?scp=2&sq=colin%20moynihan%20subway%20cell%20phone&st=cse

nomnomnom

Yeah, I also had issues to set up my notifications. It runs just like their subway service!

JH4285

I take service delays as a given anyway. I'd prefer that that money go toward improving existing service (no matter how minimally) instead of informing us of how bad it is.

duanereade

$10,000 a month? That's enough to pay 8 workers (each making $60K/year) for a week to FIX THE PROBLEM INSTEAD OF FUCKING TELLING US ABOUT IT.

r1b2

Tried to sign up but...

Access to our email notification system sign up and options designation is temporarily unavailable until Tuesday Nov. 25th at 11:00 AM. This will allow us to migrate to a more robust email and text messaging alert system.

Email Alert Notifications for existing customers will continue to be sent during this time period.

It's 3 PM, well after 11 AM, but still offline. Way to start on the right foot.

Dirk

Only in the eyes of an MTA executive would text messaging be "revolutionary".

Gregoire

If they're as reliable as their audio 'real time' service announcements, then I would expect these to give your computer or blackberry a virus.