Metropolitan Transportation Commission introduces emergency text alerts

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) has launched a text-based mass notification feature, building off its 511 SF Bay service, that will alert users about transportation emergencies and severe transit disruptions.

Offered to travelers in the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area, users must opt in to receive alert messages.

“A high-magnitude earthquake, tsunami, terrorist attack or other catastrophe likely would have a significant impact on roadways and transit systems alike,” said Janet Banner, MTC’s 511 program manager. “We’re using the latest technology to increase travelers’ awareness of how transportation is affected during large-scale emergencies. 511’s accurate and timely delivery of information during an emergency will help protect travelers’ safety, and help them understand their transportation options and to adjust travel plans accordingly if necessary.”

511 Emergency Alerts is powered by Nixle, a unit of Burlington, Mass.-based Everbridge, Inc., and a provider of mass notification systems, which allows 511 to provide alerts using a reliable and consistent service. Customers who opt-in will receive accurate and timely information gathered from various government sources and sent directly to their mobile devices, free of charge, via SMS text message. The emergency text alerts will complement the free traveler information 511 SF Bay already provides on 511.org, on the 511 phone service, via social media on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, as well as through open data feeds.

Users can sign up for 511 Emergency Alerts by simply using their mobile phone to text 511Alert to 888777. After subscribing, an automated text message response will confirm the registration. While the text messages are free, users are encouraged to contact their wireless service provider to determine whether they will incur charges for receiving text messages on their mobile device.