TransLink has upgraded the way it shares critical information to riders. Customers can now receive email or text message notifications about closures to elevators, escalators or station entrances on TransLink’s system in real time. The upgrades also include an improved interface for mobile and desktop users, with a new feature that enables customers to select what time they’d like to receive alerts throughout the day to match their commute schedules.
These are additional features to the existing notification system, which sends customers live alerts for changes to bus, SkyTrain, SeaBus, West Coast Express, and HandyDART services.
“These upgrades will help our customers better plan their journey each day,” says TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn. “Having access to up-to-date information about station accessibility is critical for many of our customers, especially those with limited mobility, and it is important in ensuring they have a positive experience on transit.”
Customers can sign up for transit alerts on the Transit Alerts Page and customize them to get live alert notifications for their specific transit routes.
To use this feature, customers should:
- Create a new Transit Alerts account at translink.ca/signup, or login to an existing account on the Transit Alerts page
- Determine if they’d like alerts sent via email, text message, or both
- Set up customized alerts for frequently used transit routes, modes, or stations
- Select what times in the day they’d like to receive alert notifications
- If a station was selected, turn on notifications for elevators, escalators, or walkways
“These upgraded alerts will provide crucial information for TransLink riders who are older, have limited mobility, use a wheelchair or any other mobility device,” says Access Transit Users’ Advisory Committee Chair Sherry Baker. “Getting live notifications can help riders who rely on elevators and escalators better plan their transit trips, giving them back valuable time into their days.”
This upgrade is part of TransLink’s Customer Experience Action Plan, which focuses on elevating transit experiences and increasing customer access to live information.
