On Demand
Headlines
- NY Officials Track Stimulus Online
- Banks Oppose Federal Lending Supervision
- New Yorkers Stay Home for 4th BBQ
- Poor Road Conditions Result in Half of Traffic Deaths
- Fewer New Yorkers on Road July 4th
- More
- Global Downturn Hits Mexico Harder Than Most
- Dangers Of Buying, Selling Anything Under The Sun
- National Guardsman Booted For Being Gay
- More
- Obama, Medvedev agree to pursue nuclear reduction
- Judge backs Michael Jackson lawyer and friend
- Ethnic riots spread in China's west; 140 killed
- More
News
NJ Transit Trumps MTA in Information Game
by Bob Hennelly
NEW YORK, NY August 10, 2007 —The most frequent complaint heard from City commuters during Wednesday's subway chaos was the total lack of information coming from the MTA and other regional transport agencies. But as WNYC's Bob Hennelly reports it was a very different story for some New Jersey Transit customers.
LOUDSPEAKER: There is no information at this time on the four or the five. Repeat there is no information at this time on the four or the five.
REPORTER: That's what subway commuters heard below ground at Penn Station. Contrast that with the 46,000 New Jersey Transit customers who subscribe to that systems up to the minute real time information service.
Dan Stessel with NJ Transit, says keeping customers informed is his agency's top priority.
STESSEL: That's why we developed a system called "My Transit" which sends alerts to your pager or blackberry or PDA whenever there is a delay effecting your specific trip. It is not a general message. If you tell us you are taking train 1,2,3. We are going to send you an alert when your train 1,2,3 is having a problem.
REPORTER: The MTA also, has an e-mail service, but it only communicates planned service disruptions.
On Wednesday NJ Transit sent out dozens of broadcast e-mail messages that included information updates on the Port Authority's PATH system. Subscribers learned in real time what lines were down and why. For WNYC I am Bob Hennelly
Financial 411
WNYC's Amy Eddings hosts a daily overview of financial news at 4:30 weekdays which is available via podcast, with highlights from the day and a preview of what you can expect tomorrow.
More
Main Street NYC
WNYC is following five blocks over the next year to see how the economic downturn is being experienced on the street level.
More
ShovelWatch
This joint project ProPublica, The Takeaway and WNYC is tracking the billions in stimulus, holding the players accountable and detailing how they will trickle down to you.
More
Uncommon Economic Indicators
The Brian Lehrer Show is keeping a close eye on how the economy is affecting the little things in daily life. Share your stories and photos of the downturn.
More