USA: New York MTA has launched the TrainTime one-stop journey planning, ticket purchasing and real-time train location app for Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad commuter rail passengers.
This was developed in-house by MTA, and replaces the eTix app and the previously separate TrainTime apps for LIRR and Metro-North services. Nearly 50 000 people downloaded the app within 15 h of its launch.
Users can search for a train and then purchase a ticket in seconds by using a ‘Buy’ button on the screen and logging in with an Apple ID, Google account or their phone number. Once a ticket is purchased, passengers will see the button show ‘Activate’ as their departure time approaches, or ‘Wallet’ if their trip is in the future.
In preparation for the app’s rollout, GPS sensors were installed on the LIRR and Metro-North train fleets to provide real-time location data through the app. There is also a seat availability tracker, and an in-app chat with customer service representatives.
‘If we want more customers to return to the rails, the customer experience needs to be as frictionless as possible’, said Acting MTA Chief Customer Officer Shanifah Rieara on August 17. ‘The new TrainTime accomplishes just that, placing every travel tool a rider needs into one app, regardless of which railroad they are riding.’
