The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Friday released a new free website and app for Apple’s iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch that provide realtime time estimates for train arrivals at specific stations in about one third of the New York City subway system.
Specifically, the MTA’s “Subway Time” app for iOS and website cover 156 stations in the lines 1,2,3; 4,5,6 and S 42nd St. Shuttle, but more stations will be added later.
The app and website were made by the MTA using data from a new subway signaling system implemented over an 11 year-period between 1997 and 2008 at the cost of $20.8 million per year, $228.3 million in total, as the MTA notes. The new releases on Friday are part of the agency’s stated commitment to open data.
The MTA notes that the app is a beta version for now, and the Wall Street Journal reported Friday the MTA wants third party developers to create apps for Android and Windows Phone using its realtime arrival information. See a photo of the MTA Subway Time iPhone below.
TPM has tested both and the app is considerably better-designed than the web interface.
The MTA’s release of the new Subway Time services comes days after the agency approved yet another fare hike for riders.
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