@MetroLosAngeles Twitter Tuesday

Welcome to Twitter Tuesday, a weekly feature here at The Source where we’ll round up the latest Metro related tweets in the Twitterverse. To follow Metro on Twitter just search for @MetroLosAngeles. We recommend adding the #MetroLosAngeles tag to your tweets to get our attention.

It’s Tuesday which means it’s time for another peak inside Metro’s foray into Twitter and what people are talking about when it comes to @MetroLosAngeles and @MetroLAalerts. This time, we’re going to start off with a series of Tweets from people who are still hoping Metro gets its Twitter act together:

pure_awesome @metrolosangeles whats the point of your twitter if you don’t update it with changes not posted on the website?

thebusbench A detour on 76 @metrolaalerts didn’t notice that on your morning report.

GoneMetro @metrolaalerts Need special Twitter account to keep up with detours, etc in downtown Hollywood this week, maybe?

Obviously, the @MetroLAalerts Twitter account doesn’t quite offer the real-time service updates everyone was expecting and hoping for. Not yet at least. So far it seems to be most useful for relaying planned service alerts and major service disruptions due to accidents. And with only 234 followers it seems most Twitter-enabled Metro riders don’t find it valuable enough to follow. The Source plans on catching up with Metro staff in charge of the Twitter account to see where things are headed and when, so faithful followers should stay tuned.

There’s technology related tweets and more, after the jump.
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@MetroLosAngeles Twitter Tuesday

Welcome to Twitter Tuesday, a weekly feature here at The Source where we’ll round up the latest Metro related tweets in the Twitterverse. To follow Metro on Twitter just search for @MetroLosAngeles. We recommend adding the #MetroLosAngeles tag to your tweets to get our attention.

This past Saturday L.A. celebrated the Chinese New Year in Chinatown and Gold Line trains were packed to the brim with revelers and Twitterers:

HLP90042 Just realized why the Gold Line is packed today… Golden Dragon Parade!

BicyclingNate Oh Gold Line. You are so packed right now.

silusmouse On the Gold Line to visit my brother Aaron in Pasadena. The train is full of people celebrating Chinese New Year.

On person had a suggestion for next year’s parade:

HLP90042 @metrolosangeles dropped the ball with the Gold Line. Should have 3x-up the trains when a major parade is 1 block frm Chinatown Station.

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@MetroLosAngeles Twitter Tuesday

Welcome to Twitter Tuesday, a weekly feature here at The Source where we’ll round up the latest Metro related tweets in the Twitterverse. To follow Metro on Twitter just search for @MetroLosAngeles. We recommend adding the #MetroLosAngeles tag to your tweets to get our attention.

After a short post last week, Twitter Tuesday is back with a load of exciting tweets directed @MetroLosAngeles. From opinions on Metro’s redesigned web presence to status updates on Metro adventures, readers have been eager to let us know what’s up.

First, Metro recently went live with a completely redesigned Metro.net and here’s what Twitter had to say about it:

SK10FLIRT @metrolosangeles um will the trip planner be back up on the new web site bacause I use it daily

siushi @metrolosangeles New site’s tripping me. Timetables were easier to find, now it’s a small link. I feel like design went back in time a step.

PinkStarr @metrolosangeles I’m on MTA’s new website and I can’t find the “purchase a pass online” page. What a pain. #yoursitesucks

hnjohnso @metrolosangeles redid their website. Tho I mainly use Google Transit, I think the Trip Planner should be more prominent. #metrolosangeles

HistoFlipped @MetroLosAngeles has a fancy new layout to their website

AlaiaWilliams @metrolosangeles i like the new design, but I think the trip planner is too far down on the page. Def keep it above the fold

All comments on the new site will be forwarded to Metro’s web team.
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Metro introduces new Twitter account for service alerts: @metroLAalerts

Metro's new system for service alerts and updates uses the popular social networking tool Twitter.

Observant visitors to Metro.net no doubt noticed something new on the homepage. Metro communications staff has quietly rolled out a new system for getting service alerts and system status updates out to customers via a new Twitter account: @metroLAalerts.

Be aware, however, the system is currently in the “beta” stage and Metro staff are working on coming up with best practices to ensure the service provides customers with the information they need, when they need it.

The agency has struggled to find the best platform to alert riders when there’s a problem with bus or rail service. For the most part, Metro has frequently tried to inform the masses through traditional media when there’s a big issue with service.

But updates to Metro’s website — including The Source — have been inconsistent and it remains unclear how many Metro customers know to look or have the ability to look at the website in real time, particularly when using the Metro system. There is also this issue: it will only work if someone at Metro is always responsible for updating it in real time.

Metro already has a Twitter account for general information, @MetroLosAngeles, but the new account will be used strictly for service updates. Twitter also has a mobile site that can be updated quickly on a smart phone.

A number of other transit agencies across the nation are currently using Twitter to communicate service updates with customers, and all of them have their own unique methods. After the jump is a list of links to the Twitter feeds of other agencies. Check them out let us know what you think works and what you’d like to see from the @MetroLAalerts feed by emailing us at thesource@metro.net.
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@MetroLosAngeles Twitter Tuesday

Welcome to Twitter Tuesday, a weekly feature here at The Source where we’ll round up the latest Metro related tweets in the Twitterverse. To follow Metro on Twitter just search for @MetroLosAngeles. We recommend adding the #MetroLosAngeles tag to your tweets to get our attention.

Another week, another collection of tweets: some with love and some with hate, but all important as they help your opinions reach Metro staff. A big reason we round up tweets on this weekly blog post is to make sure staff (who we know actively read The Source) can catch up with customer opinions that might otherwise be lost in the endless stream of tweets and bureaucracy.

This week there was an unfortunate accident between a Gold Line train and car and there was no shortage of updates on Twitter:

billlascher Just saw @metrolosangeles update about the gold line accident at Mission street. Hope everyone is okay but curious to see public reaction.

mokennah metro train accident… gold line… had to get off train

AlyssaMoore Good thing I forgot my Metro pass. Would’ve been on the Gold Line train that hit a car :/

missros The metro gold line struck a car about an hour ago. Hope everyone is alright. Now I just need a ride home.

BicyclingNate I also hear no one at Fillmore told any of the passengers about the bus bridge or where to catch it. Updates? @metrolosangeles#GoldLine

HLP90042 Quick work @metrolosangeles! The Gold Line collision at Glenarm in Pasadena was cleaned up before the TV media could get there.

One Metro rider used Twitter to chime in on proposed service changes coming this summer:

GarMar88 Unless the Dash, El Sol Shuttle or Monterey Pk Spirit are going 2 replace what’s lost, keep #MetroLosAngeles lines 31 & 287 as they are.

Don’t forget, for more information on the proposed changes you can attend the upcoming meetings (the first one, for San Fernando Valley riders, is tomorrow ) or email your opinions to customerrelations@metro.net, attn: June 2010 Service Changes.
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@MetroLosAngeles Twitter Tuesday

Welcome to Twitter Tuesday, a weekly feature here at The Source where we’ll round up the latest Metro related tweets in the Twitterverse. To follow Metro on Twitter just search for @MetroLosAngeles. We recommend adding the #MetroLosAngeles tag to your tweets to get our attention.

Metro Line 232, which travels from Long Beach up the Pacific Coast Highway to the LAX Bus Center, was the brunt of a few negative tweets this week.

blinkie I think @metrolosangeles is intentionally keeping the 232 unreliable so they can kill it. Routinely 30 min late or more and ‘discharge only’

Kythera Okay, so it’s NOT just me? Now the 232 is EARLY, so I can’t catch it just after 7pm like I used to. Boo @metrolosangeles!

The 232 is not on the chopping block for this summer’s service shake-up, so maybe it was just having an off week?

On the other hand Metro Line 333, which runs from Downtown L.A. to Venice, received a little love this week for its frequent weekend service.

kapope … heading to catch the Metro 333. I love that this bus runs frequently, even on Sundays. @metrolosangeles

But the same user had some issues with Metro Line 108, which travels from Pico Rivera to Marina Del Ray.

kapope The Metro 108 to/from the Marina is very infrequent & sometimes comes too early. This is an inconvenience and a problem. @metrolosangeles

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@MetroLosAngeles Twitter Tuesday

Welcome to Twitter Tuesday, a new weekly feature at The Source in which we’ll round up the latest Metro related tweets in the Twitterverse. To follow Metro on Twitter just search for @MetroLosAngeles. We recommend adding the #MetroLosAngeles tag to your tweets to get our attention.

Local transit blog The Bus Bench has fully embraced the #MetroLosAngeles tag with a string of tweets aimed at getting Metro’s act together, especially on the social media front. The Bus Bench is often harsh, but brings up valid issues — and I can honestly say we’re listening and working on improving.

thebusbench MLK Day Metro runs on regular schedule. @metrolosangeles use your social media 2 help customers instead of bragging & giving dining advice.

thebusbench #metrolosangeles needs to move 76 from recycling ctr 2 across the street from Chinatown. Don’t like walking up scary street w/ no sidewalk.

thebusbench 1 Gateway, fare “machine” unreadable 1 stop from your office at Chinatown. The sun glares badly. Many elderly passengers #metrolosangeles

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@MetroLosAngeles Twitter Tuesday

Welcome to Twitter Tuesday, a new weekly feature here at The Source where we’ll round up the latest Metro related tweets in the Twitterverse. To follow Metro on Twitter just search for @MetroLosAngeles. We recommend adding the #MetroLosAngeles tag to your tweets to get our attention.

Last Thursday was the big BCS title game between Texas and Alabama. Metro promoted the Gold Line as a great way to get to the game, and those who rode tweeted their observations.

HLP90042 The south-bound Gold Line is full of sad orange-wearing longhorns. The folks wearing crimson have smiles on their faces.

bobtimmermann I will be a Gold Line train with two #Texas fans who want to cut it really close when it comes to making the kickoff.

freddylee On the Gold line to Pasadena: football fans + 20 sheriffs and metro staff to accomodate at union station.

patrickrbrown On the Gold Line, half the passengers are wearing maroon Alabama shirts, and a few are wearing burnt orange for Texas. I’m wearing a tie.

Here’s a few tweets from a first-time rider who took the Gold Line to Pasadena for the big game. Glad you enjoyed the ride @wrosenthal!

wrosenthal about to take my first ride on @metrolosangeles to get to pasadena. #excited

wrosenthal Dear @metrolosangeles, Parking and getting on the train was so easy and fast. Now please add lines in West LA so I can ditch my car. Thnx.

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Metro launches official Facebook page and wants you to become a fan

After a month of testing, Metro has officially launched its official Facebook presence, joining the ranks of everyone you know including grandma and that weird guy you kinda remember from high school.

What’s the point? Metro is looking to harness the power of social networking to better interact with its passengers and the public on transit related issues. The key word here being “interact.” Metro’s Facebook page will be constantly updated with content and fans will be able to comment, share and “Like” each and every posting just as they would on any other page on Facebook.

Fans will also be able to leave their own comments, links, pictures and even polls to share with Metro and the community. Metro staff members will be active in the community, meaning comments and insights from fans will be seen by the people who make Metro go.
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