Metrolink gets EMetrolink

So Metrolink is the one transit system that didn't get mentioned during de-car-ing week. Why? I've never taken it.

But a couple of days ago I got an e-mail from Brian Buss (a somewhat serendipitous name!), a regular Metrolink rider who has started EMetrolink.com, a new site that sends user-generated train delay and cancellation alerts to cellphones. "This saves passengers time and gas by alerting them that their train is late or cancelled before they drive out of their way to the station," Brian says.

This, I think, is an excellent idea. After all, I already wrote about how cool it would be to have real-time traffic updates from fellow transit riders.

Unfortunately, a couple of things are keeping me from checking out EMetrolink.com for myself. For one, my cellphone is not up to par (and I kind of like it that way). For another, as I mentioned, I don't take Metrolink. Brian is so gung ho about both Metrolink and EMetrolink that he has offered to buy me a ticket and help me navigate the system.

The problem is, the only reason I'd take Metrolink would be to visit my mom, who lives in Orange -- but my mom is more lovable when tolerated in very small doses. I last saw her Nov. 2, and I need at least a monthlong buffer between visits.

So I'm wondering if any of you regular Metrolink riders out there might be into trying out the EMetrolink service and reviewing it in the comments. Might the MetroRiderLA boys give us an overview? Is it easy to use? Blackberry and iPhone and Helio friendly? Try it and share the info with the rest of us.

Comments

[Dan W.]

Metrolink is wonderful and a comfortable ride. I used to take it from the Burbank Station to Downtown every day because it was so much quicker than snaking through the 5 or the 101 from the Valley.

A few things could be done to improve on it and increase its usage.

- Run trains every 10-15 minutes, not 45 minutes.

- Extend the Green Line east to Santa Fe Springs Metrolink Station at the same time it's extended northwest to LAX to create a real alternative to that portion of the 405.

- Also extend the Green Line north from LAX all the way to Metrolink in the Valley to give a badly needed alternative snaking through the 405 Fwy on the Sepulveda Pass.

- When the Purple Line is completed down Wilshire and the "Downtown Connector" is constructed, that will make Metrolink even more attractive.

A little bit of connectivity adds to the usage of the system exponentially.

[Nathan]

Is anyone doing anything similar for the Metro bus lines? There are days when I could easily save half an hour on my commute by knowing the status of particular buses.

[Siel]

It would be v. cool to have the same for Metro bus lines, though considering how many of them there are, it may take more than 1 intrepid rider working on the app during his free time....

But surely we can get one going for Metro rail?

[Brian]

EMetrolink has changed its name to LAPassenger.com. Metrolink PR folks have asked us to cease the usage of "Metrolink" in our domain name. We support Metrolink, so we have moved our home. Same service, different name!