WMATA launches new email, text message system

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has introduced “MetroAlerts,” an email and text messaging alert system designed to provide riders with “up-to-the-minute” information about planned service changes and delays, agency officials announced yesterday.

MetroAlerts builds on WMATA’s previous rail-only email alert system, which was limited to 140-character messages. Now, in addition to those short-message alerts, riders can receive longer "advisories" regarding planned service changes, upcoming trackwork, early openings and travel tips, WMATA officials said.

Because MetroAlerts allows two email addresses, riders can opt to have short alerts sent to their mobile device while receiving longer advisories in their desktop email account.
“MetroAlerts gives us a new platform for communicating with customers in more targeted ways,” said WMATA General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Richard Sarles.