St. Patrick’s Festivities Cause Area-Wide Reroutes
KCATA Launches New Online Initiatives
WebWatch, Facebook and Twitter Will Keep Customers Connected
(Kansas City, Mo. – August 26, 2009) The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) announced several new initiatives today that will help customers stay informed about Metro bus service.
Customers can now track their buses online with the help of WebWatch, a new website feature that debuted today at the agency’s Board of Commissioners meeting. Metro customers can look up the route they want to catch, and see where the bus is in real time and when it is expected at scheduled timepoints.
The new tool uses KCATA’s satellite and GPS technology to track the location of any bus serving a fixed route. Web pages on WebWatch get new, up-to-date information from Metro buses every minute. This feature will help customers know when to arrive at their stop. Customers can log on to WebWatch at work, school, home, or any other internet-friendly environment to get the next bus’ arrival time.
Customers can follow their bus on a map, get predicted arrival times for timepoints, and receive notifications via email of bus arrivals at any Metro stop. ADA accessible information is also available.
Find The Metro On Social Media Websites
Other new initiatives will allow customers to connect to The Metro through two popular social networking websites, Twitter and Facebook.
Twitter is a micro-blogging website that allows users to read and send short messages or tweets. Users can send and receive tweets via the Twitter.com website, cellphone messaging services or other external applications. KCATA is using the service to primarily alert customers about temporary and permanent changes to Metro routes, and to post contests, promotions and other passenger information. To find KCATA on Twitter, visit www.twitter.com/KCATAMetro or search for “KCATAMetro.”
Facebook is an online gathering place where friends share thoughts, photos and experiences with each other. Facebook users can easily become a fan of KCATA and share their thoughts and experiences with public transit. Customers can find The Metro on Facebook here.
