TRANSPORT OF ROCKLAND LAUNCHES EMAIL AND TEXT MESSAGE SERVICE ALERTS

The Rockland County Department of Public Transportation this week officially launched its electronic Transit Alerts initiative, a new mobile text or email notification option for Transport of Rockland (TOR), TAPPAN ZEExpress (TZx) and TRIPS paratransit riders. The Transit Alerts program enables customers to receive mobile texts and/or emails when holiday or other system-wide events impact bus service.

“The Transit Alerts option is Rockland County’s newest tool to help residents get the information they need in a quick and user-friendly way,” said County Executive Ed Day. “Projects like this are an example of how we continue to use the latest technology to better serve our customers. This digital resource will provide bus riders with critical information needed to get to work, school or home.”

“With more and more people carrying smartphones, Transit Alerts will help to communicate information about system-wide events quickly and easily,” said Transit Administrator Michael D’Angelo. “This new option will get the word out to customers about planned service changes such as holiday schedules and detours, as well as service status information during inclement weather.  In the future, we plan to expand our technological capabilities to provide more detailed, real-time bus information.”

Riders may subscribe online at www.rocklandbus.com by clicking the link at the top of the homepage. Riders may receive Transit Alerts for TOR, TZx and/or TRIPS and can join more than one group.

Customers may also subscribe by texting keywords from their mobile device to 781-728-9542:

• Keyword TOR for TOR alerts
• Keyword TZX for TZx alerts
• Keyword TRIPS for TRIPS alerts

(Keywords are not case sensitive)

The free-to-use Transit Alerts option will be promoted to bus customers this week via onboard signs and seat drop cards, as well as on the Department’s website at www.rocklandbus.com.  Riders who sign up for the mobile text option should be aware that text message rates may apply, depending on each subscriber’s individual phone plan. Subscribers may unsubscribe at any time.

The system will be managed by Public Transportation Department staff with software and hosting provided by Mobile Text Alerts of Lincoln, Nebraska. The software includes an easy-to-use web platform that provides the Department with the ability to send unlimited text messages and/or emails to all the members of each group from a computer or mobile device.

The cost for the program is approximately $720 per year and is funded with local transportation (non-County Tax) dollars. That price accommodates 501 to 1,000 subscribers, but the system can be expanded to serve additional subscribers.

Go to www.rocklandbus.com to sign up for electronic Transit Alerts, or for TOR and TZx schedules and links to other transit systems. Call the Transit Information Center at 845-364-3333, Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., for trip planning assistance.