Hey, there! Log in / Register
Score 1 for the T's Alert System
By oddjob60 on Tue, 12/04/2007 - 4:46pm
I signed up yesterday for the new "T alerts" email/text delay notification service from the T. Turns out it works-- at least it did today. As I was preparing to leave home, i got this message:
Commuter Rail Providence/Stoughton - Train #0804 (6:07am inbound) experiencing 10-15 minute delays due to mechanical failure 12/4/2007 6:17 AM
By the time I got to my station, the displays said 15-20 minutes late, and the train was indeed about 15 minutes late.
I also got a less useful note right when we arrived at South Station that service was "on or near schedule from an earlier mechanical failure", which is a rather convoluted way of saying that either the train arrived, or that no delays followed behind it.
Even though this instance worked well, I don't know if I'll ever trust this system enough to stay home a few extra minutes. But it might prompt me to grab an extra sweater if I have to wait outside longer.
Topics:
Free tagging:
Ad:
Support Universal Hub
Help keep Universal Hub going. If you like what we're up to and want to help out, please consider a (completely non-deductible) contribution.
Comments
eh, not so great
Yesterday the electronic message board at the Framingham commuter rail said 5-10 minutes delay but we had not gottten any alert and there was nothing on the T website about it before we had to leave the house (20 mins prior to scheduled departure), even though we were at the tail end of that ministorm.
Maybe they just don't bother with the alerts for the Fram/Worc line because the train is always at least 10 minutes late, coming or going.
Alerts for delays of 15 min. or more
According to the talerts.com website, you'll only get notifications of delays that are 15 minutes or greater, so in effect you're right-- the routine 5-14 minute delays don't make the cut.
I wonder if the T will start underestimating delays so they don't have to send notifications?
Sshhhhhhhhhhh!!!
Don't give them ideas!
But, but, but!
From this morning:
"Commuter Rail Framingham/Worcester Train #508 (7:07am inbound)service is on or near schedule due to earlier mechanical failure 12/5/2007
9:54 AM"
What are they saying, that it takes a mechanical failure to be on time? Plus why are they sending this at 10am???
This is such a "Duh!" to me - don't have two sets of rules, just send me a dupe of every message as soon as it gets posted to those electronic message boards at the station!