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Summer 2023 – Version 8

Summer 2023 – Version 8

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As part of our ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional experiences, we are revising the Premium/Free model.

We understand that change can be met with mixed feelings, so we want to assure you that our app will still be accessible for free. However, in order to sustain the quality of our services and continue offering innovative features, we are rebalancing the features of the app.

By subscribing to our Premium features, you will gain access to a world of possibilities that will enhance and destress your commuting experience. Here's what you can expect:

Advanced Tools: From advanced analytics to new data sources, these features will enable you to achieve remarkable results. While free users will still have access to the core functionalities, subscribing to Premium will provide you with an expanded set of tools and capabilities.

Ad-Free Environment: Enjoy a seamless and uninterrupted app experience without the inconvenience of ads. As a Premium subscriber, you will navigate through the app effortlessly, focusing solely on your tasks and goals. Free users may encounter occasional advertisements, but rest assured that they will not interfere with your ability to use the app.

VIP Customer Support: Receive priority assistance from our dedicated support team as a Premium subscriber. Your inquiries and concerns will be handled promptly, ensuring a smooth and satisfying experience. While our free users will continue to receive support, Premium subscribers will enjoy expedited assistance tailored to their specific needs.

Our aim is to ensure accessibility and offer outstanding value for the enhanced features and benefits provided. For that reason, there are at least 9 ways to get Premium service for free.

We sincerely appreciate your ongoing support and trust in our app. Your feedback and engagement have been invaluable in shaping its growth. Together, let's embark on this new chapter, where you can choose to unlock a world of possibilities and take your app experience to new heights.

Use the Premium option in the app to discover the remarkable potential that awaits you!

Become a sustaining sponsor

Become a sustaining sponsor

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The amazing demographics of the Clever Commute users are a testament to the community we have built.

If your company/organization is looking for increased recognition within the community, then we have a great opportunity as a sustaining sponsor. This comes with several tangible benefits.
Your brand/message will be featured prominently alongside the valued content that our audience seeks out, in places such as

And there is more

  • At no additional cost, Clever Commute's Premium service is provided to the people in your organization.
    (This is commensurate with sponsorship level and this may be transferrable for your benefit)
  • Promotional opportunities with our B2B partners

What do we ask in return? 

An 18-month commitment to participate in underwriting the costs of running Clever Commute.

There are several sponsorship levels starting at just $500 per month.

Please Remember:

The Clever Commute guy is a regular commuter and has been for 25 years. The goal here is to allow us to focus on continuing to provide the innovative and affordable solution that uses data, technology, and community to do the things that the transit providers don't do or can't do.

Please use the Contact feature of our website to start the conversation.

Thank you!

Release notes for version 7.0.4

Release notes for version 7.0.4

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Features and End User Experience

  • Overhauled track prediction page
    • Improved data access
    • Enhanced pie chart experience
  • Increased the number of MyTrains from 3 to 4

Note: Departure board and Leaderboard are now components of the Premium experience.

Bug fixes

  • Extended the Snooze range and fixed issue with 2022
  • In-app purchase has been overhauled

 

 

Another win for Clever Commute

Another win for Clever Commute

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This is the beauty of the CleverCommute crowdsourced model.

Our riders announced this morning’s problems forty minutes earlier than the transit provider did.

 

Here we are, first:

And then along comes NJ Transit

NJT Evening Trains to Avoid From NY Penn

NJT Evening Trains to Avoid From NY Penn

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In a recent post at Facebook's Delayed on NJ Transit Support Group. I shared the data for the 3 months between 1-Sep 2021 and 1-Dec 2021.
(it's also at the bottom of this post)

With eight cancels apiece, there was a tie for first place:

  • The 5:12 PM Northeast Corridor Line to Jersey Ave (#3725)
  • The 6:18 PM Morris & Essex Line to Summit (#6355)

Since the NEC is the largest NJT line, we focused on the 5:12 PM first.
A breakdown (no pun intended) of why NJT cancels the NEC 5:12 PM.

DateReason
3-Sep-2021NJT did not provide a reason.
10-Sep-2021NEC train #3725, the 5:12 PM departure from PSNY, was cancelled due to a mechanical issue.
13-Sep-2021NEC train #3725, the 5:12 PM departure from PSNY is cancelled due to earlier mechanical issues.
25-Oct-2021NJT did not provide a reason.
26-Oct-2021NEC train #3725, the 5:12 PM departure from PSNY, is cancelled due to equipment availability resulting from earlier mechanical issues.
28-Oct-2021NEC train #3725, the 5:12 PM from PSNY, is cancelled due to equipment availability resulting from earlier mechanical issues.
16-Nov-2021NEC train #3725, the 5:12 PM from PSNY is cancelled due to equipment availability resulting from earlier police assistance.
19-Nov-2021NEC train #3725, the 5:12 PM PSNY departure is cancelled due to equipment availability resulting from earlier mechanical issue.

Here are the overall results

CountLineTimeDestinationTrain #
8Northeast Corridor 5:12 PMJersey Ave3725
8Morris & Essex6:18 PMSummit6355
7North Jersey Coast5:29 PMSouth Amboy3513
6Northeast Corridor5:16 PMTrenton Transit Station3951
5Northeast Corridor6:39 PMTrenton Transit Station3961

A 360 degree view of the return to the office

A 360 degree view of the return to the office

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Context: I have a full-time job in NYC, but I run Clever as a passion project...using my own time and money.
This blog post is my point of view as a commuter.

Even though I built the Clever Commute business, I do understand remote work. Yes, I have a full-time job "in NYC", but it's been over 20 years since I did 5-days-a-week in the office.

But like many of you, I worked at home full-time during the pandemic.
As of March 12, 2021, I was fully vaccinated and started commuting again. It started with one day a week and it's now two.
Here are my thoughts on why I returned to the office...and why you should consider it, too.

I'm no stranger to working from home.

  • When my (now college-grad) daughter was born, I was one of the first at my company to do "work from home".
  • Even pre-pandemic, the culture of my office was for people to work remotely at least 1 day a week

I have seen the downside

  • E-mail, IM and voice/video are my primary communication/productivity tools.
    I know it can feel stupid to spend 3 hours a day commuting just to talk on a phone from NYC.
  • All too many times, I have had the terrible experience of a messed-up commute home causing me to miss my daughters' swim meets, theater performances, back-to-school nights, family dinners, and bedtimes.
    That feeling was a driving force for me to create the Clever service.

You probably feel that you (and your company) are getting by just fine with remote work..and you're probably correct. Actually, many employers are posting strong financial results.
But part of what is happening is not healthy or sustainable for our employers or for us.

Lift as you climb
By the time you become a suburban commuter, the data suggests you are at a point in your life where you are uniquely positioned to be a leader, mentor, and role model to others.
The less-experienced people in our firms need to see the behaviors of we who are at "the next level"...even if they are not asking for it. This affects both their careers as well as the overall strength and viability of the company.

Improve yourself...for yourself 
This is a nuanced twist on the above. Years ago, my manager did salsa dancing as a hobby. He told me that he always learned something from every dance partner of his.
Can this learning happen as you work remotely? Maybe...but so many opportunities are missed.

Improve yourself...for your company  
A Clever commuter recently told me that part of her work is to hammer out tough issues with her counterparts. She said that one of the keys to her effective working relationships with her adversaries is the fact when they meet in person, they have a few minutes around the conference table before the meeting starts ("how are your kids?"..."taking any vacation?"...). These engagements humanize the process...and set the stage for the constructive collaboration which happens once the meeting actually starts.
Also, don't forget the magic that happens after the meeting ends...as we walk to the desk/elevator with people from the meeting.
Those dynamics are lost when meeting start and stop like this:

Help our employers be better in a tight labor market
Companies are evolving to accommodate remote work. They may not have the model perfect at this time.
The 16 months so far have been an accelerant unlike anything we could have ever imagined. Employers need to know how to attract and retain talent in this seller's market for labor.
Help them get to the best answers for everyone involved.

Summing it up
Do I want to spend 3 hours a day going back and forth? No way. But as I recently posted on LinkedIn, there are some real advantages to having that time to read...learn...relax...listen to podcasts (and to see people in NYC).

Commuting is not the goal. It is the enabler of the dynamics mentioned above.

Clearly, there are two "poles": 100% remote and 100% in the office
Many of us have experienced the former...and I see very few employers truly expecting the latter.
Maybe there is a greater amount of common ground than imagined.  But "Step 1" is to get back on that horse and be a part of figuring out what the best model is. For you, your company, and the people you work with.