Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Cool tools, Tips and tricks, iPhone
iTrain, an NYC Subway guide on the iPhone
Reader Roger Kenny tipped us off to his cool site for iPhone-using New York Subway travelers. We've seen iPhone subway maps for New York before, and of course Google Maps is always available on the iPhone, but Roger's site goes even further. Not only can you see maps of the lines (via links to the MTA's website) and get directions (via HopStop), but he's also put together an RSS reader that will scroll subway alerts, and other news sites, across the top of your iPhone. If you spend any amount of time navigating New York's subways, it's definitely worth a bookmark.I wish we had something like it for Chicago. Yes, our El stops (although, strangely enough, while I was writing this story it occurs to me that everyone in Chicago actually calls it "the train"-- I haven't heard it called the El since I moved here) are on Google Maps, but has anyone seen an iPhone "transit portal" for the Windy City? If so, toss it in the comments below, and those of us with big shoulders will thank you.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Mykal Bloom said 10:09AM on 10-01-2007
I call in "The El"
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umijin said 10:19AM on 10-01-2007
Hmmm... I'll be stuck in NYC for a few weeks with my iPodTouch. Maybe this will be useful.
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Alex said 10:20AM on 10-01-2007
I don't have an iPhone (in Canada) but I use a program called Metro which is an actual program for Symbian, Palm and Windows Mobile but is also available for a website.
Metro has timetables and travel planners for an amazing number of networks around the world (from Vancouver, to Tokyo, to Berlin, to Glasgow, etc. etc)
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Alex said 10:22AM on 10-01-2007
Forgot the website: http://nanika.net/metro/
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Alex said 10:22AM on 10-01-2007
Forgot the website: http://nanika.net/metro/
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Steve said 10:22AM on 10-01-2007
I can see a lot of Web 2.0 site that could provide similar solution. Yes technically a native app could do more, but such apps become even more useful when you can get constant update on the service.
Smart ideas!
Steve
http://inewsonly.com
The first ZUI news aggregator for iPhone & iPod touch
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Powder said 1:35PM on 10-21-2007
Sounds like a great little web app. My only issue is whether you can use your iPhone 40 feet underground or will you need to do your research before entering the subway?
Has anyone had any luck using iPhone internet while riding the subway?
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Josh said 10:53AM on 10-01-2007
#7: You can get AT&T on some platforms, but only if they are close to the surface (63rd & Lex is out!). The MTA is going to wire the platforms for mobile signals within four years, but not all providers may use it.
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brumyr said 11:08AM on 10-01-2007
IMHO, Chicago has little need of it. I lived there for a long time and visit (and ride the El) frequently, and I've lived in Manhattan for 20+ years (and use the subways constantly). Except for the Loop itself, which can be a bit confusing for visitors, Chi's system is very straightforward and simple. Not so NY's, which was cobbled together from 2 independent, commercial systems in ways that in places truly deserve the term Byzantine. The only other systems I can think of that would benefit from such a sophisticated iPhone guide would be London's Underground and -- maybe -- the Paris Metro. Never been to Moscow, so I can't judge that one. All you need in Chi, tho, is a paper map.
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David said 11:30AM on 10-01-2007
I used to live in chicago.. well not IN chicago.. who in their right mind does.. but I called it the El, the metra was "the train"
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DTWF Justin said 10:59AM on 10-01-2007
While it's not optiomized for iPhone, the RTA provides routing for CTA, Metra, and Pace. The performance is not too bad over Edge and I use it regularly through Safari.
http://tripsweb.rtachicago.com/
I will sometimes call it "the El" but most everyone does just call it "the train"
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Bob S. said 11:05AM on 10-01-2007
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.
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Robert said 11:21AM on 10-01-2007
Born, raised and live in Chicago. It's the "el" - trains are run by Metra and AmTrak.
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Jacqui said 11:24AM on 10-01-2007
Just adding my completely irrelevant ++ on "the train." Only out-of-towners seem to call it the "El," it seems.
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Brady J. Frey said 11:38AM on 10-01-2007
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':)
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Jeremy said 12:37PM on 10-01-2007
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.
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kingotho said 1:03PM on 10-01-2007
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
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BobbyW said 1:49PM on 10-01-2007
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.
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badtzmaru said 1:59PM on 10-01-2007
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.
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tv said 7:24PM on 10-01-2007
It's the "L".. You must must talking to people who just moved here too.. ;)
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