New York MTA resumes traffic alerts on Twitter | CNN Business

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New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority said it would resume posting automated traffic alerts on Twitter Thursday after the social media company backed down on a plan to charge utility accounts for access to the platform .

In a statement Thursday, Shanifah Rieara, the MTA’s interim chief customer officer, said Twitter had tried to charge the MTA more than $500,000 a year for access to its platform, but the MTA refused.

“We are pleased that Twitter has committed to providing free access to the API for utility providers,” the MTA said. he tweetedreferring to the software interface that allows third parties to create automated posts on Twitter.

In another tweetadded, “We know customers missed us, so starting today, we’re resuming service alerts on @NYCTSubway, @NYCTBus, @LIRR and @MetroNorth.”

In recent weeks, Twitter has attempted to charge companies for access to its platform. Their payment plans cost up to $2.5 million per year for top-tier access. The introduction of the paywall in March prompted widespread warnings from utilities of possible disruptions to weather and traffic alerts.

Amid the outcry, Twitter reversed course on Tuesday and said verified government accounts could once again post automated tweets for free.