Five years ago: TTC launches e-alerts

Five years ago (Jan. 14, 2009), the TTC launched its e-alert subscription service, giving riders subway/rt service disruption notifications via e-mail.

The electronic mail alerts arrived just in time for a major power outage that hit Toronto on Jan. 15 – the day after the launch. The blackout left a portion of the Bloor-Danforth Subway in the west end out of service for about 14 hours. A series of nine electronic notifications kept riders informed until full service resumed just before the p.m. rush hour began on Jan. 16. Information about service delays was also available on the TTC website and on display screens located on subway station platforms.

Today, the TTC is continually expanding its ability to communicate critical information to its customers. Anyone can receive information about disruptions, route changes and events at twitter.com/TTCnotices or on Facebook (facebook.com/TTCnotices). They can also post a comment or suggestion at twitter.com/TTChelps. To receive service disruption e-mail notifications, go to ttc.ca and register under Service Advisories. E-mail alerts include a route-specific feature as well as elevator status updates.