The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has been a reliable source of information for people who commute using buses and trains, and thanks to Twitter, the corporation has a convenient platform that's accessible to many users. However, all that will change soon.
Twitter is No Longer Reliable for MTA
The social media platform has evidently made big changes since Elon Musk took over, and it has gone through rough patches like the implementation of Twitter Blue and the loss of its advertisers. This time, it's the app's API that's causing problems.
According to MTA, Twitter is no longer a reliable platform to provide consistent updates for commuters. Instead, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority suggested that riders should instead head to their website, apps, and email or text alerts.
The MTA provides service info in real time, 24/7.
We do this through https://t.co/8rwbuwle0p, our apps, email & text alerts, and, until recently, Twitter.
We've loved getting to know you On Here, but we don't love not knowing if we can to communicate with you each day. 🧵— MTA (@MTA) April 27, 2023
The doubt in reliability surfaced when the service's access to publishing service alerts was suspended last week, which occurred again this week. According to The Verge, the disruption may be caused by Twitter's application programming interface or API.
In case you haven't heard, Twitter has released subscription tiers so third parties can access its API. Although the MTA stated that this wasn't a problem, there's still the issue of Twitter Blue handing out blue checks to those who can pay, disrupting the credibility of some accounts.
There are still several ways commuters can get updates. One is through mta.info, and another is through their MYmta & TrainTime apps. Updates and alerts will also be displayed on screens found in stations or buses and trains.
The MTA also releases updates on The Weekender, which is a newsletter users can sign up for. For SMS or email alerts, commuters can sign up for the beta. For subways and buses, users can reach them through WhatsApp, or by calling 511.
Read Also: Twitter Reveals New API Pricing and Tiers
Twitter Cutting Off Third Parties
It seems that the company doesn't feel like Twitter Blue and Twitters Ads aren't enough to reel in revenue anymore, given that Twitter has blocked off access to third-party apps from its API and started charging them for it as well.
There's still a free version of the API, but it has bigger limitations than the other paid subscriptions. For one, it's for write-only use and the third party is limited to only 1,500 tweets a month at the app level, media uploads, and logins.
The basic access tier is more suitable for active accounts. It has a 10,000 read-limit cap, 50,000 tweets per month at the app level, and two app IDs. The monthly cost would be $100. The priciest tier would be Enterprise.
Enterprise access is best suited for businesses as it supports managed services, complete streams, replay engagement metrics, and backfill, as well as commercial-level access. This tier, according to Engadget, could cost up to $42,000 a month.
Twitter claims that the old versions of the API will stop working within 30 days, and the deadline is already a few days away. As seen with MTA's case, Twitter might be implementing it already. If Twitter is an important channel for your business, then you'll have to transition soon.
Related: Twitter Cuts Off API from App Developers and Third-Party Clients
