Bayside Man Invents Alert System For 7 Train Delays

FLUSHING, QUEENS — Several weeks ago, Bayside resident Barry Lee walked into the Main Street-Flushing subway station to find the platforms completely packed.

So, he went on Twitter to find out what was happening with the 7 train.

"I look around and there were no announcements, no posters, and no employees directing passengers," Lee told Patch. "It turned out that a train had a problem somewhere along the route, so the LIRR was cross-honoring riders from Flushing to Penn Station, which was exactly where I needed to go."

Situations like that one inspired Lee to create a better way to keep himself informed — one that makes use of the MTA's real-time social media updates but doesn't require WiFi access.

Lee created a program that sends commuters a text every time the MTA tweets about the 7 train, though users can easily change the code to select a different subway line. There's also an option to get the alerts read out loud, Lee said.

The Android-based program relies on an app called Tasker, which automates tasks. Lee posted a tutorial on setting up the alert system to Reddit.

Lee's next project is an alert system that uses Google Maps to tell bus riders when to request a stop and get off.

"If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself," he said.