Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) train and rail service announced June 22 that it is launching a new text-messaging program for riders looking to receive real-time responses specific to their travel. The program leverages ETA Transit’s Spot system and GovDelivery, an enterprise-class digital outreach platform engineered specifically for government, to help riders stay connected on train arrival and departure times or delays.
“Providing passengers with train tracking methods is essential in today’s digital age. Our goal was to provide our existing and future ridership with tools to receive real-time train updates on a multi-platform system. We are excited that we can add automated text responses to the already established interactive train map and email/text alerts. This will give more options for those who want to engage with the ACE Train,” said Stacey Mortensen, executive director, San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission.
"Given that 73 percent of mobile phone users leverage text messaging, ACE is improving the level of service it provides by allowing riders to request relevant, real-time updates via text message,” said Scott Burns, CEO and co-founder at GovDelivery.
Nicole Castongauy, CEO at ETA Transit says, “Our Spot system was built to facilitate just this type of service. With our open API and long-standing relationship with ACE, this project and all its requirements was a no-brainer. It was a perfect partnership.”
In order to receive relevant and timely travel information — such as arrival and departure times on their phones — riders can text a keyword or phrase (for example “ACE LMORE”) to the short code number GOV311 (468311) and receive real-time responses specific to their travel.
