This winter has been a snowy one to say the least; Boston averages about 41 inches of snow per year and the month of January already has seen 44 inches of snow dumped on the Hub. But, we live in New England and you should be used to it by now. The worst part about the winter is of course long commutes. The Mass Pike turns into a parking lot and there are countless MBTA delays. While there is not much you can do about a clogged turnpike there is plenty you can do to make sure you are not sitting outside in the cold waiting for the MBTA.
Instead of taking your anger out on Twitter, stay one step ahead with these simple tips and tricks. Of course, these will only help you manage the MBTA delays and certainly does not prevent them (that is an issue for another time). The MBTA general manager is even quoted saying that January was “one of the most challenging months at the MBTA in recent memory.”
Forget checking the MBTA website for delays, this Twitter stream will keep you up to date on every subway, commuter rail, and bus route. They post all significant news in real time and then hourly and even half hourly updates to make sure riders are aware of the service issues. This has saved me quite a few times from standing outside in the cold. You can also get tweets directly to your phone through SMS, so no excuses.
This is for the few folks out there that for some reason sill have a Palm device. The app allows you to find the closest stops using Google maps, displays arrival times, and lists all current MBTA alerts. Bus and all MBTA lines are supported, except for the Green line.
The MBTA has never looked this good. This iPad app provides all MBTA bus, commuter rail, and boat real time data and schedule information. It also displays the full list of MBTA alerts. Once again the Green Line is not available.
This is the easiest to use T app. It does only support the MBTA Orange, Red, and Blue lines but for some of us, that is enough. The app will tell you where the current trains are, when the next few trains will arrive, and a list of all of the service alerts.
Catch The Bus – iPhone, iPad & Android
This is by far the most reliable app on the market. The data is sent from GPS trackers that are actually on each bus. You can also search for nearby stops, if you do get lost using the Google map view.
Yes, augmented reality has come to T tracking. Augmented reality (AR) allows you to place an augmented, computer-generated layer (graphics, sounds, etc.) on top of the real-world. On NextTrain T Tracker, this means all you have to do is open the app, hold the camera upright, and turn to see where MBTA train stations are located around you. Yep – that means you never have to ask “where’s the nearest T stop?”
This handy dandy web app allows you to see when the next train or bus will arrive without having a smartphone. The app is even optimized for mobile phones including the Blackberry.
What are your tips and tricks for taking the MBTA to work? Are there any apps that we left out?
