National Rail is now sending travel updates through WhatsApp

National Rail has launched'Alert me by WhatsApp', a tool that provides travellers with real-time updates via the popular Facebook-owned messaging app. The tool, which National Rail claims is'more advanced than a chatbot', lets UK rail passengers access customised travel information for their journeys. These updates include real-time details of departure platform announcements, delays, disruptions and alternative travel routes. Brits can access the service by planning their journey using the National Rail website as normal and clicking'Keep me updated by WhatsApp' icon. Site visitors then have to select the journey that they want to receive updates on – for example, the 15:29 from Maidstone East to London Victoria – and enter their phone number.