LRT site provides latest updates with a wink and a smile

It started out as a joke.

Ottawa software developer Justin Kelly created a website to track the number of days the LRTwent without a major malfunction,thenposted a link onReddit.

But after several days with the counter stuck at zero, Kelly decided it needed a few tweaks.

"Things got worse, and at that point I had to update the website to adjust for so many failures," he said.

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Kelly decided to turnhiswebsite, calledOccasional Transport a play on OC Transpo's name, not to mention its recent success rate into an interactive tool for riders to report issues with the LRT system.

The website curates reports submitted by ridersthrough email, Twitter and Reddit, turning them into up-to-date status reports that keep passengers informed about what's going on down the line.

"I can let people know that three stations down there's a dead train, so you're not just standing there wondering what's going on," Kelly said.

Soothing anger through satire

While Kelly's site does provide passengers with survival information, he admits it's also managed to maintain its satirical edge.

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"There's a lot of anxiety and people are getting aggressive, and I found that the humour helped people let off the steam," he said.

Under a section on the website labelled "news," updates include "Slight breezes and sunlight might be the cause of door jams says OC."

Kelly, whose previous projects includean app that allows drivers to report potholes on city roads, admits to mixed feelings about his latest venture.

"It's nice that I'm doing this, but I shouldn't have to do this. Nobody should have to do this," he said.

OC Transpo has its own Twitter account that provides updates on delays or cancellations, as well as a separatewebsite for alerts.

But Kelly believes his crowdsourced site is faster at reporting incidents.It also gives people something to do while they're waiting for their train, he said.

"The train is going to come eventually.OC Transpo is trying,even though they suck. So just be calm and relax."