NYC transit agency drops Twitter as 'reliable' alert system
2 Min Read
New York's Metropolitan Transit Agency says it will be providing its customers with real-time updates through other communication tools, such as its apps and emails.
-
A view of the Twitter logo at its corporate headquarters in San Francisco, California, U.S. November 18, 2022 (Reuters)
New York City’s Metropolitan Transit Agency announces that it will no longer offer transit updates on its Twitter account, 13 years after using the platform as a source to inform the public about real-time service changes.
This comes as Elon Musk's Twitter removed legacy blue checkmarks on April 1, which has long been a credible verifier of the account owner. The social media giant instead started providing the blue tick based on an $8 monthly subscription, a gold tick for $1,000 a month, while the basic package of Twitter's New API Enterprise Tier costs $42k a month.
According to big corp, media outlets, and celebrities, among others who have high follower accounts, the new system allows random accounts to impersonate them on the social platform.
Read more: Twitter removes New York Times' gold verification marker
“Twitter is no longer reliable for providing the consistent updates riders expect,” the agency Tweeted.
"So as of today, we are saying goodbye to it for service alerts and information."
For the MTA, Twitter is no longer reliable for providing the consistent updates riders expect.
— MTA (@MTA) April 27, 2023
So as of today, we’re saying goodbye to it for service alerts and information.
But we're not saying goodbye to you, our customers! There are lots of ways to get real-time updates. ⬇️
In a follow-up tweet, the MTA offered alternatives for its customers to keep track of schedule changes, including the agency's apps, email, newsletter, and SMS alerts.
✔️ Bookmark https://t.co/8rwbuwle0p
— MTA (@MTA) April 27, 2023
✔️ Use our MYmta & TrainTime apps
✔️ Look for info on screens in stations and on trains/buses
✔️ Sign up for The Weekender, our newsletter for weekend service changes
✔️ Sign up for email & SMS alerts (beta) https://t.co/NLrVIpqa4U
The transit company said hours before announcing the change that it is facing Twitter API issues, hindering its ability to post service updates.
Read more: Chaos ticks on Twitter after Musk enforces free blue checkmarks
For the MTA, Twitter is no longer reliable for providing the consistent updates riders expect.
— MTA (@MTA) April 27, 2023
So as of today, we’re saying goodbye to it for service alerts and information.
But we're not saying goodbye to you, our customers! There are lots of ways to get real-time updates. ⬇️
