Commuters can customize service advisories with My MTA Alerts

The MTA is rolling out a new email and text alert system designed for the one-track mind.

The My MTA Alerts system is being improved to allow subscribes to choose when they get alerts (at 30 minute intervals) for information specifically about which bus, subway, LIRR, Metro North train or toll crossing is on their route. It also provides alerts on elevator service outages at many stations and LIRR branches.

The original email and text alerts introduced to the MTA in 2008 proved to be a popular tool, but users would only be able to schedule alerts in four-hour windows. The new 30-minute windows provide updates much closer to real time and eliminates the distracting and confusing information that might have led some to opt out of the service.

“We have improved an already incredibly useful travel-planning tool with the primary goal of providing our customers additional flexibility regarding the date and specific time interval they receive notifications,” MTA Chairman and CEO Thomas F. Prendergast said. “Now, you don’t have to receive alerts about service issues that will not affect you. You can pick the times based solely on when you travel.”

To use this service:

Select the EDIT button to the right of “Alert and Advisory Preferences” to pick when to receive alerts, or put alerts on hold (during a vacation, for example).