The Maryland Transit Administration has installed a new e-mail alert system. Those of you who are already signed up under the old alert system probably already know this, but I am sure that most are unaware that such a system exists. And some got so fed up with the previous system that they gave up on it.

The problem in the past was that the system would bog down on mass e-mails. The information would sometimes be delayed beyond being useful. Staff spent the better part of the past year evaluating options and has determined that this new system will work in a more timely fashion, which is a very good thing. There was nothing more frustrating than getting an e-mail telling you of a delay an hour after it occurred.

The alert system being used is the same one that has been used with success by the Virginia Railway Express. It offers a lot of options that should help make the commute a little more predictable, if not a little easier. Right now the alerts are only for MARC and commuter bus, but that will expand. Eventually you will be able to get alerts on every mode of transportation within the MTA. That means that if a bus route is impacted by a breakdown or if an elevator is out of service, you will know about it in advance.

The alert system can be used on any device that has e-mail capabilities including mobile phones, PDAs and pagers. Visit alert.maryland

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mail.com to sign up. The sign-up walks you through the whole thing and it’s pretty easy to use. But do it right away because the old system won’t work after Oct. 5.

I hope you’ll give me some feedback once you've had a chance to experience this new alert system for a few weeks. I would like to hear positive responses as well as complaints, so don’t avoid writing just because the thing actually works for you.