examples

Covid Crisis: “Danger” as well as “Opportunity”

Covid Crisis: “Danger” as well as “Opportunity”

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Back in 2006, as a longtime frustrated train rider, I started what became Clever Commute. Our offerings have evolved over the years, but one thing hasn't: Commuters love Clever.
To be clear: I have a full-time job in NYC. I run Clever as a passion project. There are no investors...no venture capital. I use my own time and money and I am energized by building and running this service.

The pandemic caused me and many others to take a year off from commuting. The encouraging news is that nearly half of the people who work in Manhattan offices are expected to return to their desks this fall. I already started going back to my office. More on that later.

JFK said The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word 'crisis.' One brush stroke stands for danger; the other for opportunity. In a crisis, be aware of the danger--but recognize the opportunity.

Did the last 12 months create an opportunity? Yes!

I was able to make some fundamental improvements which would have been very hard to do during peak commuting times. The "Covid lull" gave me a window to act.

(1) Overhauled our technology platform

  • "Cloud" is the future and Clever is now fully cloud-based.
    Our "back-end" is now faster and more resilient than ever.
    We now also have the ability to increase horsepower on demand.
    There are scores of other amazing benefits to the cloud as well.
  • Re-launched the user-facing CleverCommute.com website
  • Modernized the "front end" of the app itself.

(2) Added new features you can use

The result: The end-user experience is now better, faster, and more stable than ever.

Are We Done?

Hah! Never!
In the time since our Version 1.0 product was released in 2015, we have literally made thousands of improvements (check out this video of our first version...and please promise not to laugh).
There are hundreds of known enhancements we want to make...and the list never stops growing.

Will the commuting experience ever look like it did pre-pandemic? Probably not...but what ever does stay the same over time? Certainly not technology and technology-based services such as Clever Commute.
Let's see what the future holds!

My mailbox is always open...and maybe I'll see you on the rails and roads soon?

 

What commuters are saying about their return-to-office commute

What commuters are saying about their return-to-office commute

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This page is a work in progress and, with your input, will continue to evolve

Rider Compliance

A NJT train rider reports that everyone wears masks and social distancing 90% of the time

What to pack

Find the right balance of light and safe.

    • Hand sanitizer - yes
    • Food and drink - no (so drink your coffee before or after the commute)

Let’s post and share about RTO (Return to office)

Let’s post and share about RTO (Return to office)

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Hammer and Wrench on Apple iOS 13.3 The one-liner: Feel free to post on CleverCommute using the "Return to office" category...or simply use the abbreviation rto (or RTO) in your message...and the app will categorize it for you.

Has something changed?:  Yes! Due to the unique Covid-related environment, we have modified our filtering logic. Users can now use the app's Participate feature to share (and ask) in ways that previously may have been set aside for moderator review.  So if you want to know if the trains are safe/crowded/clean ... then ask the folks who have the info: the people who ride.

Why the change?: As discussed in early October, it has become clear that this network of commuters wants to help each other...share with each other. Some of you have been commuting throughout the pandemic. Some of you recently started. Some may be starting soon (or later).
So let's do what Clever Commuters do best: let the information flow.

How?: For the most part, you post your comment or question as you always have (instructions). But please identify your return to work-related message as such in one of two ways when using the app's Participate feature:
1. Set option #2 (What's happening) to the first choice: Return to office
-or -
2. Simply use the acronym rto (lower or upper case) in the body of your message. Our technology will auto-categorize it!
Note: rto is not a hashtag. It's simply the three-letter abbreviation.

 

 

 

I’m [encouraged]/[horrified] because NYC is [rebounding]/[worse than ever]

I’m [encouraged]/[horrified] because NYC is [rebounding]/[worse than ever]

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Here at Clever Commute, we're evolving our model in order to help people prepare for the eventual return to work (RTW). No one expects RTW to happen all at once...and I expect that the experience will vary by location, person, industry, etc.

But when I recently asked folks who are currently are commuting "what do you see?"...I was surprised at the diversity of replies I received. The 2 in the table below came into my mailbox virtually back-to-back.

Clearly: perceptions will vary. Both of the commuters have a long history of sharing reliable info on Clever Commute.
So, as I was once told: "Don't listen to anybody. Rather, listen to everybody."

Maybe you love NYC. Maybe you need NYC. Maybe both. Let's give it our support...with an open mind.

Commuter A said...Commuter B said...

There are so many misperceptions on the news
People say to me: "I would commute except I'm scared of the homeless."
However, I haven't found that to be a problem at all.
In fact I see less homeless than usual (and I've taken the train, the bikes, and the subway, so I've had lots of opportunities).

The homeless population is worse now then early 90’s and it is under reported.
The aggressive nature of those seeking money is unreal.
It is hard to believe how dirty and disgusting the area around Penn Station is.

 

You want an example?

You want an example?

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Simple as that…

  1. 4:14 PM: a commuter posted an alert on his line to share what he heard on the train
    “Conductor just announced single-tracking in/out of Penn”
  2. Clever Commute Artificial Intelligence technology recognized that an alert about “single-tracking” is something that affects users on all NJT lines.
    We therefore automatically re-shared it to all of our NJT riders.
  3. 4:59 PM: NJT first notifies users of the issue
    https://twitter.com/NJTRANSIT_MOBO/status/1227351567105429506
  4. 5:02 PM: a different commuter Tweeted their frustration (to NJT) that CleverCommute broke the story
    and that NJT “announced this [problem] only 50 minutes after @clevercommute did”
    See the Tweet here – https://twitter.com/jeffalexander19/status/1227352176298610688

    NJT said they are looking into this…but as of the update time on this blog post, the original Twitter user is still awaiting a reply
    https://twitter.com/StewartMader/status/1227446819506020353

Getaway Day Advice: Labor Day 2019

Getaway Day Advice: Labor Day 2019

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As a service to commuters, we provide this getaway advice for those who are exiting NYC (via public transit) for Labor Day Weekend. Read on for:

  1. A look back at 2018: “What happened on the Friday before the holiday last year?“
  2. Clever Commute’s “SIX T’s” – the key to a stress-free commute on get-away day.

(1) What happened on the Friday before Labor Day Weekend last year?

Overall: things were good before 1:00 PM. Conditions deteriorated in the 1:00 hour.
See carrier-specific notes below for details about what happened on your commute.

LIRR

  • Starting at 1:00 PM – A steady stream of official announcements regarding delays
  • Roughly 31 alerts sent throughout the PM rush
  • Many made reference to late train ahead

Metro North

An event-free afternoon!

NJ Transit Trains

  • Starting at 1:00 PM – A steady stream of official announcements regarding delays and cancelled trains
  • Approx 50 alerts throughout the PM rush
  • Over 20 trains were announced as cancelled (on this day…for this day)
  • engineer availability and equipment availability were cited as the cause

Hoboken was consistently reported to be a good option throughout the day

NJ Buses

Between 2:30 PM and 6:00 PM, there were several reports of long lines at PABT and delays on 495/Route 3

 

(2) Here are Clever Commute’s “SIX T’s” – the key to a stress-free commute on getaway day:

1. Technology – Think and plan NOW. Update your apps, load your e-Reader, charge your headphones, curate your playlist, charge your device and consider a portable charger.
Theses simple things can greatly reduce stress.

2. Tickets – tickets..Tickets…TICKETS. Get them early!
If you or your traveling companion will need a ticket, get it BEFORE Friday afternoon.
Lines are loooooong on getaway days.
Idea: LIRR, Metro North, NJ Transit and NY Waterway all have ticket apps!

3. Timing is crucial
Use the re-cap above as a guide…but add some padding to be safe.

4. Timetables and Schedule changes 
LIRR, Metro North and NJ Transit will provide (extra) getaway day service…but all 3 have date-specific trip planners on their sites.

5. Terminal – Choose wisely

  • If it is at all within your control, avoid NY Penn Station.
  • NJT riders: consider Hoboken and/or Newark Penn
  • LIRR riders:  consider Atlantic Terminal or Hunterspoint Avenue

6. Other Tips: 

  • Dress in layers – the terminal or the trains can be warm
  • Bring water/snacks – save time…save money. Plan ahead.
  • “Baggage strategy” matters – There is going to be lots of luggage around on Friday.
  • Pick/Pack your bag early and lightly!
  • Make your plan now…Do NOT wait until Friday morning to start thinking about this.

Have a great holiday!