NYC Hopes to Launch Subway Text Message Alert System
The New York State Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is looking for a vendor to put together what may end up being the largest text message and e-mail alert system in the country. The MTA said that, following massive flooding of the NYC subway tunnels on August 8th, the need for such a system became clear. The alerts will inform passengers about construction, train re-routing, and unplanned disruptions such as those from fire and flooding. The system is expected to draw up to a million subscribers.
Commuter rail lines, such as Metro North, have an alert system, but it can take as much as an hour for the messages to be sent out. The MTA plans to fold the commuter lines into the new system which they say will be much more timely.
Currently, subway passengers can subscribe to an e-mail list for planned disruptions, but are forced to rely on announcements made over station and train PA systems for up-to-the-minute updates regarding unexpected interruptions. As any subway passenger knows, such announcement are usually completely incomprehensible.
From Textually.org
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Bob @ Nov 9th 2007 12:25PM
Hi,
My company will actually start providing the emergency school communication system free to schools. I would have to believe that the MTA would value the money savings. In fact any school should like free. Let me know what schools need our system and we will set it up.
Regards,
Bob
jack smith @ Nov 19th 2007 10:11PM
TO AUTHOR OF ARTICLE: Your description of NYC subway announcements is OUT OF DATE -- ride the rails recently????? The messages are quite clear and totally understandable, with the new systems. Check your facts b4 dishing in writing.
DGeyer7647 @ Nov 24th 2007 1:00PM
New york city in the same way as washington DC. That way it would be under federal control.That way it would take the financial pressure off the rest of the state and the state woud not be under the dems control and give the republicans a chance at the booth.
Kim @ Dec 13th 2007 8:50AM
ACTUALLY, Jack...
It was not at all clear what was going on when the flooding happened; not clear when there was the explosion at Grand Central -- 311 didn't know what was going on, the MTA operators were no help; the website for "constant updates" was useless.
I was taking the 1 train up to 116th street, then all of the sudden, without telling anyone, we were taken express starting at 96th st -- this was before announcements were posted. The conductor did not tell us anything until it was too late to get off the tain. We ended up at 145th, making so many people on the train late.
Train changes are not well advertised.
On another note, no messages are NOT clear. Have you rode on the ACE or NRQ lately? I can never understand what the conductors are saying because they mumble and the speakers are terrible quality.
So, the one who is not updated is you.