Kudos to Metrolink for testing out sending system status alerts using bleeding-edge SMS text messages. According to Metrolink's post on Twitter,
We've been sending ‘tweets’ to our ‘followers’ since mid-August 2008 as a pilot program and we plan to continue to test Twitter's effectiveness over the next few months but we need your feedback. But first you have to subscribe. Visit twitter.com to learn how to set up your free account. Next, use your cell phone or computer and send the following message to 40404: follow Metrolink. You should get a confirmation that you are now following Metrolink.
What kind of messages does Metrolink send out? Take a look at their web feed at http://twitter.com/metrolink and you'll find nuggets such as "Antel. Vall. Line Train 222 is 28 min. late out of Lancaster". This is the kind of quality up-to-the-minute information commuters have been craving for when they've found out their train has been delayed for an ambiguous amount of time, and information that should be on every LED display at every station!
(By the way, this initiative is similar to the Caltrain twitter feed that Ravi Pina, a Tellme, set up, except his feed is user-powered and includes bits of train commentary like alerts for crotchety train conductors: http://twitter.com/caltrain )
hey steve! your webpage
Submitted by Tim Minh (not verified) on 13 Sep 2008 • 11:16am.
hey steve! your webpage looks pretty nifty. good job. how do you manage to update so many websites with school and all?
Using a content management system
Submitted by Steven on 13 Sep 2008 • 1:20pm.
Hey Tim, I use content management systems (CMS), which are programs that let other people edit the same site content. :) For my own personal site I write all my own material, but for other community sites, the software helps distribute the workload among other managers. *whew*
I spent this past summer in
Submitted by Stephen (not verified) on 20 Oct 2008 • 2:05pm.
I spent this past summer in DC, able to ride MTA Maryland's MARC commuter train service. They have a MARC Tracker that is accessible by internet and phone that gives real time arrival info for their commuter train. I'm not sure of any other commuter rail service that provides that, but would sure be helpful for routes (such as OC, OC/IE lines) that have trackage rights with freight RRs.
very nice
Submitted by Voos Baratos (not verified) on 15 Nov 2008 • 9:28am.
Hello Stephen! This looks like a very interesting service, very useful! Is this a free service or do we have to pay for it?
reply
Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 12 Mar 2009 • 7:51am.
It's a shame there's no programs through Metrolink, UP or BNSF for these young rail fans to become involved in. The railroads could sponsor trips to learn about operations, promote civic involvement, and generally give these people outlets to rail fan safely without. I agree that banning everyone is a knee jerk reaction, but with the sue them all mentality of American law, it's unlikely any of these groups would be interested in what could be a positive program, which is sad.
marire penis
Looks like a nifty service to
Submitted by Zoran (not verified) on 12 Mar 2009 • 2:55pm.
Looks like a nifty service to have. Hope they dont take advantage and begin sms spamming ads.
