The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) introduced a new, improved MetroAlerts system to make it easier for customers to get information when and where they want it. The new features allows Metrorail and Metrobus riders to customize the alerts they receive by day and time, and allow multiple email addresses or phone numbers on one account.

MetroAlerts provide riders with text or email alerts about disruptions or delays that may affect their trip on specific bus or rail lines. Riders will no longer receive automatic alerts all day — only when they want, for the times of day they choose based on their travel patterns.

Among the new enhancements for Metrorail and Metrobus customers include the ability to:

• Add multiple email addresses or phone numbers to one account.

• Select any number rail lines, bus routes, or stations to receive alerts.

• Select specific days of the week to receive alerts.

• Select parts of the day to receive alerts — morning, afternoon, evening, or night.

• Temporarily suspend alerts while on vacation.

• View your MetroAlerts history.

Real-time parking status now shown on wmata.com

In a separate improvement, Metro customers can now see which parking lots and garages have space before leaving home. Metro launched a new feature on the parking page of its website, which provides real-time parking availability. Simply check the parking details by station for the real-time parking status.

The system provides an estimate of spaces available, rather than an exact number and does not differentiate where cars are parked (i.e. reserved, paid or handicap space).

Metro plans to provide the API data for real-time parking status in the future.