It’s worth noting that I received my emailed service alert from Metro-North yesterday a full minute before getting one from the private-sector venture CleverCommute. There was a signal problem in the Bronx. I heard it on the Grand Central PA system just as I was ducking into the 6:10 last night. The conductor on our train said nothing about it, so I assumed we were in the clear.
When I checked my PDA as we emerged from the tunnel and ascended Blackberry Hill, I saw I’d received the following from the MTA at 5:54:
Harlem and New Haven line trains delayed up to 20 minutes northbound, and 30 minutes southbound, due to switch and signal problems in the Bronx.
I then got this from a CleverCommute contributor at 5:55:
Unknown delay northbound before harlem-new haven lines split.
And this at 5:58:
Signal probs at woodlawn
Of course, one would expect that the railroad would have the most prompt and most informative alerts, though we know that’s not always the case with often digitally-challenged MTA. But this time they got it right–even if my delay only turned out to be 10 minutes.
We’ll see if they keep up the hot streak as the various storms hit in the next 36 hours.
i’ve been signed up for this for the LIRR and now for the associate subway lines I use to get to lower manhattan. I find them to be timely and accurate. I just need to have them sent to my phone to be trully usefull. While at work they are excellent for my commute home.