announcements

More data = more options = less stress

More data = more options = less stress

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What is going on: Our premium service, The Inside Track, goes well beyond simple crowdsourcing. Recently, we began rolling out new feeds of information which comes directly from NJ Transit, Metro North and LIRR.

Why is the info not in the subject line? (e.g., why does it say “[NJTT-NEC] New “Travel Alert” from NJ Transit”)
Short answer: Size.
We can’t control the length of these alerts…and they vary widely. To avoid chopping off part of the message, we put the “payload” in the body of the mail. We gave these messages a distinguishable subject (and differentiated them from subject we use for the free service).

 What you can do if you DO NOT want to receive all these messages:

We are pleased to report that you have at least 4 options.
  1. Be sure your time-of-day and day-of-week settings are accurate (to only get messages during your commute) (see how)
  2. Block these messages entirely by blocking the sender (see how)
  3. Block some of the messages by filtering by category (see how)
  4. Use your e-mail program / device to build a filter on your side (some technical skill required)
As a commuter once said: Commuting is a game…and you win it with information. Let me decide what I want to use.
We agree. Therefore, we make these alerts available to you…and give you controls so that you can manage the flow.

 

Our datasources (it’s more than crowdsourced)

Our datasources (it’s more than crowdsourced)

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This page explains one or more of the dozens of amazing features found in Clever Commute Premium.

The beauty of Clever Commute is that we offer riders the full 360 degree view of their commute...with control over how/when the information is delivered to them.

Clever Commute originally started as a crowdsoucing company...but we have gone well beyond that. Here is a closer look:

  1. User-generated content - We have tens of thousands of commuters who give you a first-hand look at what is happening on your commute. Our technology cleanses, curates, and removes duplicate messages in order to be sure that you get the most benefit from the wisdom of the crowds.
  2. Official Information from the Transit Providers - Our technology talks to theirs...and you benefit.  Through a variety of interfaces, we make it simple for you to access the data from your carrier. You no longer need to sign up with them.
  3. Social Media - We scour the web for the best info for you. Sometimes it comes directly from your carrier. Sometimes it comes from others who share our passion for actionable commuter info. But it's always information about your commute. So it doesn't matter if (for example) you are on Twitter or not. We fetch it and deliver it to you per your preferences.
  4. Historical - No one has more data than we do. Clever Commute was founded in 2008. That gives us years of context and history about every commute in the areas we serve. We use that data to provide you with the best information
  5. Algorithms - Data is interesting...but it's fascinating when you do things with it. We have deep knowledge of the issues on each of the carriers we serve, so we know what triggers the events / alerts / tips which help you. You won't find this anywhere else.

The best part: you are in control!

Every person and commuting pattern is different. Users of our premium service can generally opt-in/out of the above as they'd like. You can also select the time-of-day and  day-of-week that you want to receive notifications.  You can pause your notifications when you are on vacation. You can even hit snooze and let us know when you'd like to resume.

Clever Commute LIRR Strike Command Center

Clever Commute LIRR Strike Command Center

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Welcome! Clever Commute is the #1 source of information about mass-transit commuting. We are an on-line service, offering free and premium products for commuters…and B2B services for the media / enterprise.
Here is a link to all the resources you may need

Just for fun: Clever vent (a way for the commuters to let off a little steam) – https://clevercommute.com/vent

Official info from MTA

LIRR Strike Info – Real Time Datafeeds of Commuter alerts

LIRR Strike Info – Real Time Datafeeds of Commuter alerts

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Welcome! The links below give you real-time access to the alerts which are being shared by LIRR commuters!
These are industry-standard XML feeds which you can view in any RSS reader.

Please visit the Clever Commute LIRR Strike Command Center for more resources.

Please note:

  • Here is a link to technical info about the feeds
  • These links contain 7 days of rolling information
  • Some have more information than others…and are listed in rough order of volume.
  • These links will expire on 31-July. Contact us if you like to see them beyond that day.

In order to save bandwith here, we don’t list out the full URL. Rather, you need build the URL’s. It’s simple!
For each branch, take the suffix in the right column, and append it to
the URL “https://clevercommute.com/rss/?url=”

Example: For “Test Branch”, the web address would be:
https://clevercommute.com/rss/?url=media-lirr-test-branch 

Branch NameSuffix
Test Branchmedia-lirr-test-branch
Ronkonkomamedia-lirr-ronkonkoma
Babylonmedia-lirr-babylon
Port Jeffersonmedia-lirr-port-jefferson
Port Washingtonmedia-lirr-port-washington
Far Rockawaymedia-lirr-far-rockaway
Hempsteadmedia-lirr-hempstead
Long Beachmedia-lirr-long-beach
Montaukmedia-lirr-montauk
Oyster Baymedia-lirr-oyster-bay
West Hempsteadmedia-lirr-west-hempstead

LIRR Workarounds

LIRR Workarounds

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In the event of an LIRR strike, we have crowdsourced these alternative ways to get to/from NYC. Please continue to share via the Contact feature of our web site.

Please visit the Clever Commute LIRR Strike Command Center for more resources.

These are options above and beyond the MTA’s contingency plan. Some of the private carriers take/require reservations

  • 7Bus – Serves Riverhead, Ronkonkoma, and Melville
  • Bolt Bus – Serves Riverhead, Ronkonkoma and Huntington
  • Go Bus – Serves Glen Cove and Roslyn
  • NICE Bus – Many locations
  • Hampton Jitney – Serves Amagansett, East Hampton, Wainscott, Bridgehampton, Water Mill, Southampton, and Manorville
  • Hampton Luxury Liner – Serves Amagansett, East Hampton, Wainscott, Bridgehampton, Water Mill, and Southampton
  • The Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company – Take the ferry across the Sound…and catch Metro North. Special rates.
  • MTA Bus – North Shore LIRR riders, the N20, N21, Q12 buses go to Flushing Queens where you can take the # 7 subway
  • Other MTA Buses (credit: LI Press)
    • Take the n20/21 bus to the 7 line at Main Street and Roosevelt Avenue in Flushing.
    • Take the n31/32 bus or the n33 bus to the A line on Mott Avenue in Far Rockaway.
    • Take the n4 bus to the E, J, and Z lines at the Jamaica Center on Parsons Boulevard and Archer Avenue in Jamaica.
    • Take the n1 bus, the n6 bus, the n22/A bus, the n24 bus, or the n26 bus to the F line at 179 Street and Hillside Avenue in Jamaica.

Related resources:

Regarding Air Conditioning on trains

Regarding Air Conditioning on trains

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But this is really applicable to a lot of things on Clever Commute

We know it stinks when the commute is bad. Heck, that is why we built Clever Commute. But there are 3 questions to ask yourself before you send an “alert” to the group:

“Does the message I am about to send contain actionable information
1. … that people can use in order to plan their commute?
2. … with tone and content that you would find on a radio/TV traffic report?
3. … that is an objective statement (e.g., not a rant…not a question…even a rhetorical one)?
If it’s NOT yes-yes-yes…then you may just be venting. If that’s the case, then you should check out clevercommute.com/vent (yes…that’s a real thing).
Other notes:

  • Clever Commute is not affiliated with the transit providers. According to Clever Commute terms and conditions, they do not receive / read these messages.
  • Do NOT initiate any call-to-action or other advocacy on Clever Commute (e.g., direct commuters to “call the governor” etc.)
  • Please remember to use the “Was this alert helpful?” found at the bottom of every mail we send you.