Exclusive to National Rail users, Alert Me is a unique, personalised, disruption messaging tool brought to you via either Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp.
National Rail provides customers with real-time, personalised information in times of disruption or if social distancing on their chosen services is predicted to be difficult. This is part of the rail industry’s commitment to put customers in control of their journeys and help provide a better experience so they can travel with confidence.
Customers can sign up to Alert Me by either Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp via the ‘Keep Me Updated’ buttons on the National Rail website. These buttons will appear when searching for a journey on the live departure boards or when looking in the details of a service within the journey planner.
Customers who sign up will be sent tailored information about their journey including details of alternative trains should their next or planned service be cancelled or delayed, or when social distancing is predicted to be difficult. Alternative services by the same Operator will be provided (when available) and alternative journeys on other Operators may also be shown when possible. Please check that your ticket is valid before boarding alternative services.
The technology being used was created by transport tech specialists, Zipabout. It uses a range of industry data feeds, direct input from Operators and journey planning data, and predicts how busy a service is likely to be by analyzing customer information and comparing it with historic trends. It also uses proprietary intelligence to make sure the information customers receive is relevant to their journey.
Instructions for use
- Visit the National Rail website and enter travel details as normal.
- Click the 'Keep me updated by WhatsApp' icon.
- Chose the journey you want to receive updates on.
- Enter your phone number to receive a WhatsApp message from National Rail.
Customers that do not have Facebook or WhatsApp will still be able to receive updates about their journey via National Rail Twitter, SMS and the National Rail app.
