The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has launched a new app that'll help straphangers see what time their train will arrive.
The MTA's "MTA Subway Time" app is only available at the moment for seven Subway lines and not available for buses.
The seven subway lines are the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ,6, and 42nd Street Shuttle S trains. The seven lines cover 156 stations across The Bronx, Manhattan, and Brooklyn.
"This is what generations of dreamers and futurists have waited for," said MTA Chairman and CEO Joseph J. Lhota. "The ability to get subway arrival time at street level is here. The days of rushing to a subway station only to find yourself waiting motionless in a state of uncertainty are coming to an end. Now, you can know from the comfort of your home or office whether to hasten to the station, or grab a cup of coffee as part of a leisurely walk."
The app will feature the seven lines and the user will have to select a line they want more information from. The next step will be to select the specific subway station form the chosen subway line, where it will provide real-time arrival estimates for up to the next nine trains from each direction.
The next two line to be added to Subway Time over time will be the L and 7 lines, but not specific date has been set.
Reviews have so far been positive from the iTunes store:
Matt Shayo: Very useful for getting you where you need to be the app is relatively simple to use. Expansion definitely has to be made to other lines. I myself constantly take the Q, N, R, F, and B. I rarely take any of the lines listed but it would still be useful for when I'm in the city. But I'm glad to see that the MTA is finally "moving forward".
Matthew Howard: As much revenue and as large as this system is they should have done this already. They are behind. Good job MTA for attempting to improve! *sarcastic clap* -.-
For Apple users, the app is compatible for the iOS 5.0 or later operating systems for the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod Touch 3rd to 5th Generation, and the iPad.
To download the app from the iTunes store, click here.
"The MTA is focused on making real improvements to make our customers' lives better," Chairman Lhota said. "Countdown clocks in stations are wildly popular, and we fully expect real-time arrival apps will become an essential part of our customers' lives. By putting information like this out for anyone to use, the MTA is putting transparency into action."