The Washington Post Provides Inauguration Transit Alerts For D.C. Visitors, Residents Using Mobile Devices.
Text, E-mail Alerts; Twitter, RSS Feeds; Mobile site Help Users Navigate Crowds, Traffic
WASHINGTON -- The Washington Post today announced it will provide transportation alerts to people using mobile devices in the D.C.-area on Inauguration Day. The tools will report traffic delays and tips to help people avoid congestion and navigate crowds. Users can sign up for text and E-mail alerts, follow a special Twitter or RSS feed or visit Inauguration Central on washingtonpost.com.
"With millions of people expected to attend one of the biggest D.C. events in decades, we're experimenting with new ways to bring users the information they need to easily get around the city," said Jonathan Krim, Assistant Managing Editor for Local News at washingtonpost.com. "Our mobile alerts will provide news and advice on the quickest routes to and from Inaugural events and the areas to avoid, helping people keep from getting stuck in transit and spend more time witnessing this historic moment."
The alerts will provide information on closures of roads, bridges subways and bus routes, weather updates, and other news affecting how people can avoid gridlock. Visitors and residents can also send in information about what they are experiencing in their areas. Users can provide information by text message, Twitter or E-mail. The two-way dialogue with users will help The Post deliver the best, real-time information to all who sign up.
Mobile alerts will begin at 5 a.m. on January 20th. They are available on both Web-enabled and non-Web enabled mobile devices and will run throughout the day and evening. Users can sign up to receive mobile alerts using the following link: www.washintonpost.com/inaugurationsurvival
* Text alert--Sign up for mobile alerts by texting "INAUG" to WPOST (97678). (Users will receive up to 30 messages a day.)
* Twitter--Register on Twitter for follow "Dr. Gridlock." Post Transportation Reporter Robert Thomson provides personal transit updates, plus links to important news articles: www.twitter.com/drgridlock
* E-Mail alert--Sign up to receive E-mail alerts. The E-mail address to send information to The Post is: tellus@washingtonpost.com
* Mobile Site--Go to Inauguration Central on washingtonpost.com's mobile site: www.twp.com/inauguration
This is one of The Post's first large-scale initiatives using mobile technology and user collaboration to deliver local transit news. After Inauguration Day, users will continue to receive relevant D.C.-area or national news alerts, unless they choose to cancel this service (standard text messaging rates apply on all SMS services).
