Line based Twitter feeds

[peterc]

I have just seen a tweet saying that the line based Twitter accounts are being closed.

twitter.com/metline

They are blaming changes at Twitter on the way that tweets are prioritised but Twitter still has the option to list tweets chronologically.

I am wondering if this is an excuse for cost cutting or if they just want to silence the critics.

[goldenarrow]

I don't think it will be that much of a loss given that Twitter isn't really the prime journey planning tool and if one really does want to give constructive feedback the best way remains to write in by form, email or otherwise. From my understanding, whilst we see sepapearte line/mode Twitter accounts, it all comes from a centralised engagement interface called Clarabridge operated by the same individuals.

Apart from the photos of weekend engineering works and direct notifications of step free issues and station closures, there's not a lot I can think of that isn't offered on the Tfl Website and supported apps.

[johnlinford]

I think it's a shame - I had alerts set up for only the lines I use regularly and always found this quite helpful to re-plan the commute if something was up.

While it was all through Clarabridge the lines seemed to be run in groups of 3 or 4 so maybe they're thinning down staffing a little?

[Tom]

Sept 9, 2020 13:14:51 GMT goldenarrow said:

From my understanding, whilst we see sepapearte line/mode Twitter accounts, it all comes from a centralised engagement interface called Clarabridge operated by the same individuals.

Clarabridge also offers a tweetbot and automated response facility from memory. I'm still not convinced that all the names you see on the responses from TfL's social media accounts are from real people!

[MoreToJack]

If only there was an operational grade in Line control rooms who's role was to provide Information in a Specialised manner.

johnlinford's point about having notifications switched on is salient. This is a very retrograde step.

[aslefshrugged]

The line based Twitter feeds along with DLR, London Overground, Croydon trams and possibly Crossrail were all operated by the same team, in some cases you'd have just one person doing them all at the same time. When things were busy it could lead to a bit of confusion, like announcing that Queensway station had reopened on the District Line Twitter. Now they'll all be lumped together on TfL.

Also the Twitter team aren't very knowledgeable about the lines, once there was a report that step free access was unavailable at Buckhurst Hill due to a faulty lift when there isn't a lift at Buckhurst Hill (it had been left unstaffed so no one was available to deploy the ramp).

[pgb]

There is probably a fine line between not enough information and too much information. The line based feeds were normally quiet when I've looked and didn't really have much traffic going back and forth. If you compare that to a TOC, there is a lot of traffic (well, used to be). Then you have the likes of Greater Anglia who run a twitter account which has a tweet every time somebody breaks wind in the Company. As a result, people don't get the response they require because there's too much info about cancelled trains following an incident.

[holborncentral]

I was a bit disappointed as they were useful and I always enjoyed reading them to pass the time in boring lectures! I noticed a lot of people are disappointed as thy relied on those accounts.

[a60]

Sept 10, 2020 8:32:04 GMT aslefshrugged said:

The line based Twitter feeds along with DLR, London Overground, Croydon trams and possibly Crossrail were all operated by the same team, in some cases you'd have just one person doing them all at the same time. When things were busy it could lead to a bit of confusion, like announcing that Queensway station had reopened on the District Line Twitter. Now they'll all be lumped together on TfL.

Also the Twitter team aren't very knowledgeable about the lines, once there was a report that step free access was unavailable at Buckhurst Hill due to a faulty lift when there isn't a lift at Buckhurst Hill (it had been left unstaffed so no one was available to deploy the ramp).

I think the got to know the Metropolitan Line quite well after the debacle which unfolded with ATO last September. I’d agree with another poster that this is probably a small efficiency measure, although the effect on the P&L will be negligible as I’d imagine there’d only be 3-4 full time staff dedicated to the line Twitter accounts. A small drop in the ocean compared to other costs.

[rincew1nd]

Sept 10, 2020 8:32:04 GMT aslefshrugged said:

Also the Twitter team aren't very knowledgeable about the lines, once there was a report that step free access was unavailable at Buckhurst Hill due to a faulty lift when there isn't a lift at Buckhurst Hill (it had been left unstaffed so no one was available to deploy the ramp).

It seems that the feed that will be most missed is TfLAccess. Whilst they may not get the reason for access not being available, the fact that it isn't is crucial to some making their journey.

[moogal]

I also used to find them useful - partly for filtering the information that was useful to me (if there's delays on the Central line, I want to know as it forms the backbone of my commute. If there's delays on the Piccadilly, I don't care because I rarely use it.) They were usually also pretty responsive for reporting things, e.g. graffiti.