Opt-in disclosure and consent flow
How riders opt in to MinutesBack texts
MinutesBack sends commute alert texts to Maryland MARC train riders from the toll-free number +1 (877) 674-0707, operated by Automation Vita LLC. Every rider starts the conversation themselves, and no one is subscribed until they reply YES to a summary of what they asked for. We never text a number that has not texted us first.
Message program details
| Program name | MinutesBack commute alerts |
|---|---|
| Operated by | Automation Vita LLC (Maryland, USA) |
| Toll-free number | +1 (877) 674-0707 |
| Website | https://minutesback.com |
| What we send | Transit alerts the rider asked for: a text when their MARC train's timing changes, and a “leave now” text timed to their walk or drive. Plus two-way replies to rider questions. |
| Message frequency | About 3 per riding day, 4 maximum per trip window. Nothing on weekends, holidays, or any day the rider texts OFF TODAY. |
| Cost | Message and data rates may apply. Free for 14 days, no card needed. Then $39/year or $4.99/month. Text BILLING to subscribe or manage billing. |
| How riders opt in | The rider texts us first, always: by typing the number from a printed station flyer, or by scanning the flyer's QR code, which opens minutesback.com where one tap fills the message in. We reply with a summary and only subscribe them once they answer YES. |
| How riders opt out | Reply STOP at any time. We stop immediately, delete the rider's commute settings, and keep a record of the opt-out so the number is never texted again. Messages the rider sent us expire 180 days after we receive them. |
| Help | Reply HELP, or email matt@automationvita.com. |
Step 1. Where the rider sees the invitation
Two places, and both carry the same disclosure in full.
a. Printed flyer, posted at the station
b. The website, minutesback.com
The button below is what the rider taps. It opens their own messaging app with a message already written to +1 (877) 674-0707; the rider still has to press send. The disclosure sits directly beneath it.
Step 2. The rider texts us first
A rider can text the number directly, or scan the flyer's QR code, which opens minutesback.com; the button there opens their own messaging app with this message pre-filled, addressed to +1 (877) 674-0707. Either way the rider presses send. They can also type their own sentence, or send START, YES or JOIN.
Rider to +1 (877) 674-0707
Step 3. We read it back and ask them to confirm
Nobody is enrolled on the strength of one text. We reply with what we understood and wait for an explicit YES. A rider who says nothing, or anything other than YES, is never subscribed.
MinutesBack to the rider
Step 4. The rider confirms
Rider to +1 (877) 674-0707
Step 5. Only then are they subscribed, and we repeat the terms
This reply names the program, states the frequency and the rate disclaimer, and gives HELP and STOP.
MinutesBack to the rider
Step 6. STOP and HELP work at any time
Rider sends STOP
Rider sends HELP
Terms and privacy
By texting MinutesBack you agree to receive automated commute alert texts from Automation Vita LLC: about 3 per riding day, 4 maximum. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase.
We store the rider's phone number and commute settings. We do not sell or share them. We use them to send these texts, and to make sure a number that opted out is never texted again. Text STOP and we stop right away; we keep the opt-out record for as long as MinutesBack runs, and the rider's messages expire after 180 days. Full terms and privacy are on minutesback.com.
MinutesBack is an independent product of Automation Vita LLC and is not affiliated with MDOT MTA. It uses the public MARC schedule and real-time feeds published by the Maryland Transit Administration.
Questions about this program: matt@automationvita.com