The Public Messages Card

The Public Messages Card is used to create customized messages that inform the public about your agency’s happenings. You can even include images and hyperlinks for related URLs for special events. Let’s say you have a detour that affects service to your Transit Center, or you’re planning a celebratory event downtown. Use this quick guide to learn how to use this communications tool. 

1. Press ‘ADD MESSAGE’
2. Fill in required fields:

GTFS (Google Transit Feed Specification)

1. Begin with your GTFS information, which displays on your myStop applications.
   • Google Transit Specification Feed- This includes publishing your message to your live schedule information on Google Maps
2. Enter the cause, effort using the dropdown menus
3. Enter the Header, which is the description for the notification (Example: Downtown Community Parade)
4. Enter a URL (online location) if sharing related information with a third-party application. Example: Create a detour message for the effected route(s) due to an event, such as a downtown parade, then add a URL link to access the online posting for the event.

Priority and Publish Status

1.  Enter the message priority (Low, Medium, High)
2.  If you are the publisher of the message, drag the Published slider to the ‘On’ position, if it’s not defaulted to ‘On’.  Otherwise, inform the publisher when it’s ready for review and publishing.

Type

1. Select either a General Message or Category/Route. Category/Route is always preferred because the message is highly visible/displays next to effected route(s) on myStop© app and myStop website
2. Use the search feature to add the route(s)
3. Add the category (This can be a point of high interest/ stop name, etc.)

Destinations

1. Check the box to publish the message for the web (myStop tools) and email (customers with myStop accounts will receive the message via email, if included in their account)

Date and Time Range

1. Press the calendar to add the range of time you want the message to be visible
2. Use the slider to make it time-specific

Message Content

1. Select the channels you prefer to use (You can use one or all. Channel selection is determined by your destinations- where you will send the message.)
   • The Rich Text Editor area allows you to include images and use built-in editing tools.
2. Enter the message, adding all needed details
3. Be sure to press ‘Save’ to save your work

Message Content Tips: There are 3 tabs with different features, destinations and character limitations:

RICH TEXT EDITOR: Includes built-in editing tools, unlimited text capabilities, and you can insert images to be shared via email for customers who have a myStop account. They will receive the message via email. You can link related URLs too. Example - Downtown Event - Include image of area and a hyperlink to a website for additional information about the event.

LONG MESSAGE: Publishes to GTFS, Facebook ( if configured), and myStop tools (web and phone app).

SHORT TEXT: Publishes to SMS (smart phone text alerts).

SAVE: Press the Save button when you're done. Congratulations!

myStop Website & myStop Phone Apps

The message will display on your myStop website and myStop © phone apps for ridership to plan their travel accordingly. If Facebook is configured, the message will display there as well.