Citytrain website changes including eRail Update !

[Fridge]

Just went on http://www.citytrain.com.au/  and noticed that the updates section (on the right hand side) has new features.  Plus there is an eRail update section now to get sms and email notification for late trains.  Not sure if anyone has already found it or when it was changed.

[ozbob]

Thanks Fridge!!

QR eRail Updates

QR is introducing eRail Updates, a service providing SMS and email updates for all train services. eRail Updates is a service that, once registered, informs you when train services have been delayed, disrupted or cancelled by more than 15 minutes via text message to your mobile phone or via email to your nominated email address. The service is available 24/7 and is currently free.

--> https://erail.qr.com.au/eRail/Default.aspx

[ozbob]

I have attempted to register, the sms came through Ok, but the registration email has not arrived after a number of hours.

Anyone been able to register and get the activation email?

Thanks
Bob

[Mozz]

Same here for me Bob - sms came through but the email is broken - maybe they are set to send only 1,2 a day at a specific time - but it would be the first setting of this type that I have ever encountered. My money is on a misconfiguration and potential lack of testing the solution before putting it into production environments.

[ozbob]

Thanks Mozz.  I have contacted QR and they have responded already and will fix, hopefully tomorrow.

Regards
Bob

[ozbob]

Activation received, all working well!

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
16/01/2009

QR to introduce SMS and email alerts for passengers

New technologies are being developed to allow passengers to receive eRail SMS and email alerts on unplanned delays, disruptions and cancellations across the QR suburban rail network.

Minister for Transport, John Mickel said the technology would be made available to all passengers who registered online, and would allow customers to receive SMS and email notifications relating to their nominated train services.

"The online registration process is simple - passengers register their details at the QR website and tailor their requirements to the times and lines they travel on the network," Mr Mickel said.

"For example, a passenger who travels from Ferny Grove to arrive at Central Station by 8am can register to have alert updates sent to their mobile phone and/or email address for their period of travel."

Mr Mickel said unplanned disruptions could occur across the rail network at any given time for reasons including police incidents, inclement weather, signalling and overhead power difficulties and level crossing incidents.

A series of trials to support the project have taken place last year, using a combination of commuter rail group members and QR employees.

"This has enabled us to review and amend any issues with the system prior to its release to our customers," he said.

Mr Mickel said the SMS and email technology would supplement the existing notifications on the QR website, providing efficient and up-to-date information for QR's customers.

He said a Brisbane company had been assisting QR with implementing the new technology, showcasing Queensland innovations to the rest of the world.

"We are indeed proud to have seen and benefited from the innovation of home-grown, local companies, to bring these technologies to our QR suburban rail network," he said.

To register for eRail updates, visit www.qr.com.au and follow the eRail link.

==============================================================

[ozbob]

The eRail is great.  A user can set a number of alerts with various options.

Well worth joining!!

[ozbob]

From Minister's statement above ..

A series of trials to support the project have taken place last year, using a combination of commuter rail group members and QR employees ...

[Derwan]

Let's just hope they listened to what we said!!

[ozbob]

The registration and new journeys function is great.  I have set up most lines ... 

Hope I don't receive any SMS or email for a while ...

[ozbob]

First notification     still, system works ..

16 Jan 2009

The Roma Street train departing Ipswich at 2:10 PM is cancelled due to train fault. Service to resume by 2:40 PM.

[ozbob]

From the Brisbane mX 16th January 2009 page 2

Delays to your inbox

[Mozz]

Got my sms shortly after registering but still no email - from memory they didn't ask me to enter email twice so maybe I mistyped. Will wait until next week before inquiring.

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Queensland Rail offers SMS, email delay alerts

Queensland Rail offers SMS, email delay alerts
Article from: AAP

January 16, 2009 01:30pm

TECH-SAVVY rail commuters need no longer be caught out by unexpectedly late trains thanks to the introduction of new SMS and email alerts.

Queensland Rail is developing the new technology that will advise passengers on unplanned delays, disruptions and cancellations across Brisbane's suburban rail network.

Transport Minister John Mickel said passengers who want to take advantage of the system will have to register online to receive text and email notifications about their nominated train services.

"The online registration process is simple - passengers register their details at the QR website and tailor their requirements to the times and lines they travel on the network," Mr Mickel said.

A series of project trials, using QR employees and rail group members, have ensured the system is ready to go.

The SMS and email alert will supplement the existing notifications on the QR website.

To register for eRail updates visit www.qr.com.au and follow the eRail link.

[ozbob]

From the Ipswich Advertiser 28th January 2009 page 12

Track trains with SMS alerts

Track trains with SMS alerts

FRUSTRATED Ipswich rail commuters can finally be informed of how late their train is, after Queensland Rail (QR) installed an SMS and email alert system called eRail.

Passengers will be informed on unplanned delays, disruptions and cancellations across the QR suburban rail network through messages to their mobile phone or email account.

Transport Minister John Mickel said the technology would be made available to all passengers who registered online, and would allow customers to receive notifications relating to their nominated train services.

"The online registration process is simple, passengers register their details at the QR website and tailor their requirements to the times and lines they travel on the network," Mr Mickel said. "For example, a passenger who travels from Ferny Grove to arrive at Central Station by 8am can register to have alert updates sent to their mobile phone and/or email address for their period of travel."

Unplanned disruptions occur across the rail network at any given time for reasons including police incidents, inclement weather, signalling and overhead power difficulties and level crossing incidents.

At stations outside the inner city network, commuters are simply left standing as there is limited communication available to inform them of how late their train will be.

A series of trials to test the project took place last year, using a combination of commuter rail group members and QR employees.

Robert Dow from web-based RAIL Back on Track was one of the commuter groups involved and said he was delighted QR had installed the system.

"I have already received a few SMS messages about the Ipswich line," Mr Dow said. "It has been a slow process. "There was a long delay between the pilot program and now."

To register for eRail updates, visit www.qr.com.au and follow the eRail link.

[ozbob]

Some problems with the SMS eRail alerts today (3rd Feb 2009)

http://www.citytrain.com.au/

Note: We apologise for disruptions today in the provision of eRail Update SMS messages. This has been due to problems with the Telstra Network and is being rectified. The SMS service will return to normal as soon as possible.

[Fridge]

It seems to be working, I received 5 sms about what's happening on the Caboolture/Nambour lines today

[ozbob]

I am getting the SMS messages too.  Must be fixed.

[glen_2006]

It took them about 2 to 3 weeks - but I finally got my registration complete today. All their problems must have been a backlog of registrations, as I only just got my SMS and Email confirmations this afternoon. Eitherway, looks like a good system. I'm going to trial it out with all lines and see what I get.