community updates

Links to Transit Provider info about Coronavirus

Watch this space (and be amazed)

Watch this space (and be amazed)

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In the Summer of 2012, as a member of NJ Transit’s Developer program, Clever Commute built an app which gave commuters track number information in advance of being announced by NJT.

The information Clever Commute shared came directly from a NJT datafeed…and was delivered to the commuters in compliance with the NJT/Clever Commute partnership agreement.  Both sides openly acknowledged that the advance-track-number information was not 100% accurate/complete. However, Clever Commuters raved about this service.

NJT expressed displeasure with the fact that we were indeed using one of the data fields that they included in the field provided to us (and to all developers). Details of NJT/Clever Commute story can be found in this Wall Street Journal story.
To make a long story short: NJT stopped sharing that particular data feed with all developers.

However, Clever  Commute used this series of events as a catalyst to build an amazing suite of premium services which meets the needs to today’s commuters. We spent two years working / building / designing. After putting in over 1,200 enhancements, we are announcing the next version of The Inside Track – a portfolio of amazing features which empowers the commuters and gives them control over the data they need.

Today’s big news: Early-notice track numbers are coming back. In many ways our new approach makes “Round 2” better than before. 

Please follow this link to see all the details.

 

 

 

Proper use of “Rate this message”

Proper use of “Rate this message”

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Summary:  Your ratings are key to maintaining the quality of Clever Commute user-generated messages. If you find a message unhelpful, please simply answer No to the Was this alert helpful? prompt.
Report abuse is for spam/hacks and patently offensive content.

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Toward the bottom of every user-generated message we send, you will find a section such WasThisAlertHelpful
as that shown at the right:

We provide this feature in order to:

  1. reward the helpful post-ers
  2. engage and coach the un-helpful ones
  3. identify and deal with any spam or unauthorized use of the system

So, in the context of our best practices, you have two choices: Yes and No

Use Report Abuse here:

  • A hacker/spammer is able to bypass our security and get their message sent to the community
    (it’s rare…but it happens. See next point)
  • A spam message is sent from the compromised e-mail account of an otherwise-valid Clever Commuter
    (e.g., if an unauthorized person gets access to your e-mail account…then we may not immediately know)
  • A legitimate commuter says something offensive / derogatory / insensitive, etc.

If you have additional concerns about a message you see, please feel free to let us know at feedback@clevercommute.net

Just because you don’t care for the content of a message, that does not necessarily mean that someone is abusing the system. Examples:

  • A commuter shares a good alert…but outside of traditional commuting times
  • Messages which come to you via our 3rd party feeds (e.g., Port Authority)

Final point: It may be worth your time to look at our premium product (The Inside Track). It gives you the ability to filter (block) messages based on category, sender and time-0f-day/day-of-week. (see examples here)

FYI – here are examples of recent messages which were marked as Abuse…but clearly are not.

  •  Bus Customer Alert – The PA Bus Term for Arrivals (NY-bound) is experiencing a delay due to a disabled vehicle/accident.
  • Detour thru Secaucus. Problem inbound.
  • 6:34 AM Northport to Hunters Point missed connection at Jamaica. Going to be 15 minutes late into NYP
  • 7:51 AM Millburn MTD making extra stop at Secaucus. Already delayed in swamps by a few mins.
  • 8:17 Walnut to NYP announced as picking up Secaucus passengers then rolls through when no one is on the platform

Tips for Metro North riders week of May 20, 2013

Tips for Metro North riders week of May 20, 2013

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Earlier today, we published a posting of web resources for Metro North riders. In addition to that, here is some additional info

  • Remember our zen: Share [information]…don’t ask [for it]. For those of you who are new to Clever Commute, please check out our best practices. We have 20,00+people in our network…so stepping in and asking questions of the community simply don’t work at this scale.
  • If you have info that will help others…then share it. In the aftermath of the May 17 derailment, there may be new crowdsouring opportunities (e.g., car parking information for displaced train commuters). If you think you have good info for your fellow riders, then share it with the group. If you have questions about suitable use, the please contact us via the web site…or reach out via feedback [at] clevercommute-dot-com
  • Regarding the branches.  We generally have one “community” for each major train line on Metro North (Hudson, Harlem and New Haven). However, we recently added new communities for each of the branches on the New Haven line (Waterbury, Danbury, New Canaan), so please signup for and use those for branch-specific sharing.
  • Tweets and Texts – If you simply want to receive real-time alerts from your fellow commuters (via Twitter…or their texting feature), then you may do so via https://clevercommute.com/twitter

 

 

 

 

 

Commuter Tax benefit

Options for the Montclair / NYC commute

Options for the Montclair / NYC commute

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This is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed or verified by Clever Commute.
Please contact us if you have any fixes to the below or additional suggestions.

NOTE: NJT always does some degree of cross-honoring.
Info: https://www.njtransit.com/tickets/rail-tickets
Click on Travel Flexibility

They also have a page called Know Your Alternates, Backups, and Contingences

Plus: The Lackawanna Coalition published this excellent guide.

All commuters are encouraged to get the free Clever Commute app.

Android app on Google Play

 

Overall Options

(There is clearly a Montclair focus, but this is also applicable to nearby towns)

Facts / Figures / Fares
NJT Bus 101 Makes pickups in Montclair area. Uses Gate 315 at PABT.
Service on weekdays only
NJT Bus 192 Clifton/Allwood Park-N-Ride 7 days a week Published time: ~30 minutes
NJT Bus 191 Willowbrook/MSU 7 days a week
Boxcar (Private bus) Makes pickups in Montclair area. App download required
NJT Train (MoBo) Our train line! Get the NJT app.
NJT Train (SEC) Take train to/from there Very quick trip to NY Penn. This video explains.
NJT Train (M&E) Gladstone / Morristown Line 7 days a week. See NJT map. Some station are nearby.
NJT Train (Main) Runs through Clifton 7 days a week. Station is here.
PnR - North Bergen 320 Park and Ride 7 days a week. This video explains how it works.
PnR - Wayne 19x Park and Ride Check NJT site. There are several similar ones.
Port Imperial Ferry (Private ferry) Take a boat from Weehawken There are other NJ terminals
Harrison PATH Harrison PATH Pay attention to possible changes/re-routing on weekend.
NJT Bus 28 to Train Go to Newark Broad or Newark Penn and then catch train to NYC This doesn't look like an attractive way to go, but keeping it here in case you are really in a pickle.
Light Rail to Newark Penn Branch Brook Park or Grove Street station to Newark Penn Same as above. Note: If you have a weekly or monthly ticket you get unlimited travel on Newark Light Rail during the month the pass is valid