How do New York Times journalists use technology in their jobs and in their personal lives? Emma G. Fitzsimmons, a reporter for The Times who covers New York City transit, discussed the tech she’s using. What tech tools are most important to stay on top of your beat covering New York City transportation? I take the subway to our newsroom in Times Square every day and experience the constant delays that New Yorkers love to complain about. Right now, I’m focused on what’s being done to fix the system and whether it’s working. I monitor the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s website to see if trains are running on time and use Twitter to find riders who are swept up in major incidents.
The M.T.A. is working to overhaul its dilapidated equipment, but it is also trying to communicate better with riders. My station in Washington Heights recently got countdown clocks that show when the next train is coming. I also use the Subway Time app, which lists train arrival information by station. It makes such a difference knowing if you’re going to be waiting for two minutes or 20 minutes. There’s a similar app for buses, Bus Time.
If I need to be somewhere on time, I check the M.T.A.’s website before I leave. When I moved to New York seven years ago, I didn’t have to do this. The trains ran on time most of the time. If I see delays, I check the subway’s Twitter account for more information because problems often pop up on Twitter first. I’ve learned what type of incidents could be a small hiccup versus a day-ruining nightmare. Signal problems or a “train with mechanical problems” spells trouble, and I might switch to a different line. A problem with a sick passenger usually clears more quickly.
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