Electronic Elevator Notification
(ELLEN) help

This page contains tips and instructions on setting and modifying your ELLEN subscription preferences. For general information on the system, see the introduction page and the limitations and liability page.

Below are instructions for each of the four areas of the ELLEN subscription form:

1. Send me messages about elevators at the following stations:

This form section contains a list of all Metrorail stations. Click on the checkbox opposite each station whose elevator status you wish to monitor. Remember to select transfer stations, if any.

Sample selections for a trip without transfers: You commute weekdays from Bethesda to Farragut North. This trip is entirely on the Red Line, requiring no transfer. You can select just Bethesda and Farragut North as the stations to monitor.

Sample selections for trip with transfers: You commute Takoma to Foggy Bottom. Your trip requires a transfer from the Red Line to the Orange Line at Metro Center. Select the Takoma, Foggy Bottom and Metro Center stations.

2. For my chosen stations, notify me:

This first section of this area asks whether you want to be notified

every time an elevator goes in or out of service.

Choosing this option means that you will be notified each and every time an elevator at your chosen stations is taken out of service or put back into service at the time period I specify.

only when elevators go in or out of service during the periods I specify.

Choosing this option enables you to restrict the notices you receive to status changes at times of day when you ride Metrorail. This option is good for reducing message volume. If you select this option, in the area below, you specify the times of day you wish to monitor.

For example: You plan to receive your notices on an e-mail-capable cell phone, and you want to learn of elevator outages both at home, work and on your way to your chosen Metrorail stations at the start and end of your work day. You leave home at 7:30 a.m. and travel 30 minutes to the Metrorail station. Opt to receive alerts between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. for your departure station. This way you'll learn of changes in elevator status before you leave home and when you're enroute to the station — in time to modify your commute, if necessary. Allow a similar time cushion for your return trip.

3. Days of the week I want to receive messages:

Select the days of the week you want to monitor your chosen stations' elevator status.

4. I want these messages delivered to the following e-mail address:

Specify the e-mail address at which you wish to receive your notifications. This address can be one you access from your desktop computer, cell phone, pager or other mobile device.

If you'd like to receive this information while on the go, see the notes below on determining your e-mail address on your cell phone or pager. Don't just assume that you can't email these portable devices. Many people are surprised to learn that they can receive e-mail on the devices they carry every day.

Please note that, in order to accommodate e-mail to portable devices, we're forced to use abbreviations for station names. This is because portable devices have limited message space — typically just 100-200 characters. See the abbreviation list for reference.

For example, on a mobile phone or cell phone a typical message might read:

FBOT ELE Street is in service
EFCH ELE Platform is out of service

This translates to:

Foggy Bottom/GWU street elevator is in service
East Falls Church platform elevator is out of service

Determining your e-mail address on a portable device. Almost all newer cell phones and pagers can receive e-mail. See the table below or consult your carrier directly.

Provider	What's my address?	For more information
AT&T Wireless (previously Cellular One)	[10-digit phone number] @mobile.att.net Example: 9055556543 @mobile.att.net	more info
Cingular (formerly SBC and BellSouth wireless)	[11-digit phone number] @pacbellpcs.net Example: 14152221212 @pacbellpcs.net	more info
Metrocall	[10-digit pager number] @page.metrocall.com Example: 2125551212 @page.metrocall.com	more info
Nextel	[10-digit telephone number] @messaging.nextel.com Example: 7035551234 @messaging.nextel.com	more info
Sprint PCS	[10-digit phone number] @messaging.sprintpcs.com Example: 8155551234 @messaging.sprintpcs.com	more info
Verizon (formerly GTE Wireless or Airtouch Wireless)	[10-digit phone number] @msg.myvzw.com Example: 5552223333 @msg.myvzw.com	more info
T Mobile info	[10-digit phone number] @tmomail.net (123456789@tmomail.net	more info

Please direct any comments, requests or suggestions concerning this project to ellen@wmata.com or phone 202/962-1255. Please also read Metro's limitations and liability notice pertaining to the ELLEN project.