Toronto Transit Commission to Use Email, SMS for Subway Delay Alerts

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Toronto Transit Commission to Use Email, SMS for Subway Delay Alerts

7:55 am on January 16, 2009 | Category: Web Services, Email, Messaging

The Toronto Transit Commission has begun utilizing email to notify riders of subway delays, and will soon introduce SMS alerts, the organization announced earlier this week.

The new service allows passengers to register an email address at the TTC.ca website and receive notifications when a delay of more than 15 minutes is expected. This will make it possible for riders to avoid long waits, and make alternate arrangements if their preferred route is disrupted.

Notifications are currently available only for the subway service, but will be extended to Toronto’s bus and streetcar systems later this year.

“By the fall, we will have the SMS [short message service] text message available. When you text to a stop you will be able to find out in real time when the next couple of streetcars or buses are coming,” explained TTC chairman, Adam Giambrone.

Passengers who plan to make use of text messaging alerts are advised to check with their wireless carrier to see if they will be charged to receive the text alerts. Bell and Telus customers who haven’t signed up for a flat-rate text messaging bundle can expect to pay $0.15 for each incoming message.