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Waste of time? Now Twitter helps you catch the right train
Mark Prigg, Science and Technology Editor1 Jun 2009
Thousands of London commuters could soon be relying on Twitter to make sure they do not miss their train.
A service starting today can automatically update people when their train is delayed by using the online messaging service, which allows users to communicate with "tweets" of 140 characters.
The scheme, available to passengers on First Capital Connect, sends a tweet every time a train is delayed, and advises of alternative routes.
It could be one of the first services to offer Londoners useful, personalised information via Twitter. Its celebrity fans include Stephen Fry and Jonathan Ross.
When users sign up they tell the system which routes they use, and at what time. The system then constantly monitors the rail network, using the same data sent to platform indicators, looking for potential disruptions.
When a problem is found, a direct message is sent to the user's Twitter account to alert them. Users can see the alerts on a computer or mobile phone.
It gives them the expected time of the delay, and suggested alternatives. It is even possible to set up the service to send a text message when delays occur.
"We see so many commuters using Twitter on their phones now that it made sense to develop this service," said Gareth Beazant of First Capital Connect. Twitter software can be loaded on the latest mobile phones, allowing users to send and read tweets wherever they are.
Users can upload their location if their phone has GPS, and even send pictures.
Mr Beazant said: "It's an amazing way of keeping in touch, but we think this is a genuinely useful service for Twitter. People can set it up and they forget it's there - they will only receive messages when there is a problem.
"We can then direct people to our website, which is also accessible on a mobile phone, to find alternative routes."
Reader views (2)
fcc will have to send a lot of tweets...
- Mark, St Albans, 01/06/2009 12:37
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Thanks, but I think I'll carry on using the web browser on my phone to check National Rail Enquiries for cancelled and delayed trains on my route, I find it much more efficient.
- Bob, Cheam, 01/06/2009 10:09
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