iTrain, an NYC Subway guide on the iPhone

I use the "L" when talking to out of towners. Other wise I just use the lines color/ name.
"Hey Joe jump on the Brown/Ravenswood and I will meet you at Western and then hit the bar."
PS Go Cubs!

It's the "L".. You must must talking to people who just moved here too.. ;)

I love sites like this but I too am hoping for a "native" iPhone app because you can't get on the network in the subway!

I have the NYC subway maps stored in my iPhone photos so that helps in times of need.

NYC subway is not so easy for visitors. You can't tell which trains are express or local or whatever. I find it very confusing. But from the time I was a teenager I never had trouble with London or Paris. Maybe they have fewer express trains? I don't know - but the paper map was always enough for me in Paris and London.

MTA just announced plans to provide cell signal on the platform, so yes, it won't work if you're already on the train, but if you made it that far, you don't need the site anyway. Also, I've used it (and FeedMe) for news reading on the subway by loading it up beforehand, and trying to remember to not click any links (Doah!)

-RK

Yeah, great. A website you're supposed to use right when you can't get any cell service. Fantastic idea. Wonderful. Please, out-of-towners who are coming to NYC, DO NOT make the mistake of thinking you'll be able to count on this thing.

You spell it 'El'?! Even the transit system spells it 'L' - even people like me who moved to San Francisco from Chicago spell it 'L':)

Just adding my completely irrelevant ++ on "the train." Only out-of-towners seem to call it the "El," it seems.

Born, raised and live in Chicago. It's the "el" - trains are run by Metra and AmTrak.

I don't have an iPhone, but I can use the RTA Trip Planner on my Sidekick, so I assume that "real browser" on the iPhone can use it too. And if you search Google for CTA Alerts SMS, you'll likely find the UPOC-hosted service that sends alerts from both the CTA HQ and riders whenever there's a (noticed) service interruption. Neither service is perfect, but in general you'll get where you're going and you'll sometimes know if there's a problem between you and your destination.