Rosslyn slug line - notification group

Here is an email address you can send your email or text # to in case you do not want to post on this message board...

Rosslynslugline@gmail.com

Thank you for your interest!

We have a Springfield-Rosslyn Slug Line group up and running on GroupMe. I've pasted the contents of our instruction sheet here for those interested. Please send an e-mail to rosslynslugline@gmail.com if you would like to join or if you have any questions (or to get a PDF or Word version of the instructions). You can also join by having any current group member add you.


The Springfield-Rosslyn Slug Line Group is a free GroupMe group that allows you to send and receive messages to inform other group members of the current and future status of the slug line. You can post and receive messages to the group using any text enabled cell phone, an easy-to-use smart phone app, or the website. The Group will permit efficient coordination between Springfield-Rosslyn slug line users to help us all get home faster with less uncertainty. You can use the group to let drivers and riders know when you will be at the line so they will know to wait for you. You can also monitor posts from the group to find out how many riders or drivers are currently waiting in line.

Privacy: if you join the group, only your nickname will appear in messages to the group. No personal information, even your phone number, will be visible to other members of the group.

Note: your cell carriers text or data fees will apply, but you can easily mute the group to have it stop sending you messages temporarily when you are done with your commute for the day. You can also monitor posts to the group from a smartphone app or from a webpage when at home or work.

Instructions:
To join the group:
Send an e-mail to rosslynslugline@gmail.com and we will send you and invitation
OR
Have any current member add you from the app or webpage or by sending a text message to [e-mail or ask current member for the number] containing the following: #add [nickname] [cellnumber]. Example: #add MikeZ 7035555555

To send a message to the group, send a text to [e-mail or ask current member for the number], or use the smartphone app or webpage. Please dont text while driving! Let the riders do the texting.

Riders:
Post that you are a rider, your departure location or desired destination, and the time that you intend to arrive at the line.
Example 1 (AM):
Rider RV 7:15 (Rider arriving at Rolling Valley at 7:15 to go to Rosslyn)
Example 2 (PM):
Rider SY 4:45 (Rider arriving at Rosslyn line at 4:45 to go to Sydenstricker)

Drivers:
Post that you are a driver, the maximum number of riders that you can take, your departure location or desired destination, and the time that you intend to arrive at the line. Also, have a rider post when you have left so that other riders know not to wait for you.
Example 1 (AM):
Driver 3 RV 7:15 (Driver arriving at Rolling Valley at 7:15, willing to take up to 3 riders)
DriverX leaving RV with 2 riders. (Ideally posted by one of the riders.)
Example 2 (PM):
Driver 1 SY 4:45 (Driver arriving at Rosslyn line at 4:45, going to Sydenstricker, etc.)
DriverX left RS with 1 rider.

Current Line Status:
Riders or drivers in line should post the current status of the line. In the AM, when it is hard to know how many riders are going to Rosslyn, you can just post that you have arrived in line and a general description of how long the line is. Make sure to specify which line you are referring to. Please make sure someone posts the current status every time it changes:
Example 1 (AM):
In line at RV. Line less than 10 long. (Rider has arrived in line, etc.)
Example 2 (PM):
Line 2 Rd RV, 1&3 Dv SY. (Line has 2 riders for Rolling valley, one driver willing to take 1 more person to Sydenstricker and another driver willing to take 3 to Sydenstricker)
Line empty (Ride just left with the last of the riders.)

To mute the group:
Text: Send a text message to [e-mail or ask current member for the number] containing the following: #mute
Webpage: Sign in to https://groupme.com/groups/1668088 and click on Turn Off Notifications. You can also monitor the webpage for posts while you are muted, but currently if you post from the webpage it will unmute your phone. (You can unmute from the webpage, send your message, then mute again and not get sent a text.)

Examples:
An example string of posts for an AM commute
RiderA: Rider RV 6:45. (RiderA is planning on arriving at RV at 6:45 am)
RiderB: Rider RV 6:50.
RiderC: Rider RV 6:55.
DriverA: Dv 2 RV 7:00.
RiderA: In line at RV, short line. (RiderA has arrived at the line).
RiderB: In line @ RV, 20 in line. (RiderB has arrived at the line, about 20 people in line).
RiderB: DriverA leaving RV with 2.
RiderC: Line RV, 15 in line. (RiderC has joined the line).
RiderC: Unposted driver leaving RV with 2.

An example string of posts for a PM commute
RiderA: Rider RV 4:15.
RiderB: Rider RV 4:15.
RiderC: Rider RV 4:20.
DriverA: Driver 3 RV 4:20
RiderD: Rider RV 4:25
DriverB: Driver 3 RV 4:20
RiderD: Rider RV 4:20. Can come 5 minutes earlier. RiderC can you wait for the second driver with me?
RiderB: Line 2 Rd RV (RiderA and RiderB have both arrived at the line)
RiderC: Line 3 Rd RV. Will wait for RiderD and 2nd driver
RiderB: DriverB left with 2. (DriverB arrived first and took just 2 riders to leave one for DriverA.)
RiderC: Line 1 Rd RV (RiderC posts the current line status once Driver B has left)
RiderC: Line 2 Rd RV (new person showed up in line, not in group)
DriverA: Line 1 Dv RV. Waiting for RiderD (has arrived at the line and is waiting for RiderD)
RiderD: Line empty, DriverA taking 3 to RV (arrived at line and immediately left with DriverA, also posted status for Driver A)

Helpful Text Commands
You can send a text to the Group number, (773)242-8072, with the following commands:
#add [name] [number] Add yourself to the group
#mute Mute will receive no more text messages until you unmute
#unmute Unmute will start receiving messages again
#name [name] Change your nickname in the group
#exit Remove yourself from the group

#8195;
Rules & Etiquette:
1. The regular slug line etiquette applies (http://slug-lines.com/Slugging/Etiquette.asp). In particular:
a. Drivers take the first people in line going to their destination whether or not they have joined the Group. Posting to the Group by either a rider or a driver does not constitute a reservation in the line ahead of people who have not joined the Group.
b. Morning and evening pick-ups are only from the slug lines (Springfield Park & Ride lots in the AM, North Kent St. slug line in the PM). Do not use the group to ask for drivers to pick you up at your home or office.
c. Morning drop off is somewhere within 2 blocks of Rosslyn Metro at the drivers discretion. Riders do not request a different drop off location unless the driver asks if they would like to be dropped off elsewhere. Do not post to the Group to ask for rides to other destinations.
d. Evening drop off is at one of the Springfield Park & Ride lots. Riders do not request a different drop off location unless the driver offers. Again, dont post to the Group to ask for a ride to a different location.
2. Do not send messages for the evening commute before 10 am, after the morning commute is over. Likewise, do not send messages for the morning commute before 7 pm the prior evening. This will prevent morning and evening messages from getting confused.
3. If you post an arrival time but then your plans change, please repost to let everyone know you will be early, late, taking fewer riders, etc.
4. No spam please: no messages allowed that are not directly related to the Rosslyn-Springfield slug lines.
5. Do not send messages to the group unless you have joined the group.
6. Do not call the number it may start a conference call with the whole group. Only send text messages or post to the Group through the smartphone app or webpage.

For more information:
Send an e-mail to rosslynslugline@gmail.com, or post on the slug lines message board (http://slug-lines.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=13207) and one of the Group organizers (Cat or Mike) will reply.

Shortcuts:
The Group text number: [e-mail or ask a current for the number]
The Group web address: https://groupme.com/groups/1668088
To download the smartphone app: http://groupme.com/app?ei