NYC’s transport authority returns to Twitter as free API access is restored #GeekLeap

NYC’s Metropolitan Transport Authority (MTA) has returned to Twitter after leaving the platform final month. Actual-time standing updates are as soon as once more accessible throughout the group’s a number of accounts. That is excellent news for commuters, as MTA’s social media accounts are a dependable option to suss out any points with town’s subways, buses and trains.

The MTA initially left Twitter the choice to start out charging for API entry, a transfer that may’ve price the group $50,000 every month, in keeping with  That’s an entire lot of subway tokens. It went on to say that Twitter “is not dependable for offering the constant updates riders count on.”

So what modified? Twitter did. on charging exorbitant API charges to verified authorities and publicly-owned companies that use the instrument for “vital functions” like emergency notifications, transportation updates and climate alerts. Being as how the MTA is all about transportation updates, it made the reduce.

Nevertheless, simply because the MTA is again on Twitter doesn’t imply it modified its tune concerning the social community’s reliability. The group used immediately’s announcement to encourage followers to join e mail/SMS alerts and to obtain official apps.

Twitter shut down its free API earlier this yr, instituting a $100-per-month tier for normal of us and a a lot greater tier for enterprise clients. Initially, Twitter grouped collectively establishments that present a public service (just like the MTA) with another enterprise. This pressured many corporations and organizations to depart the platform solely and others (like Microsoft) to

As with all issues associated to trendy Twitter, the API entry change might flip again tomorrow, so get your real-time subway alerts whilst you can. Within the meantime, the MTA’s numerous accounts are staffed by precise folks, so you possibly can chat with customer support “to get assist with journey planning, information on delayed trains, and different points.”