The moment all of us smartphone-wielding T riders have been waiting for – a real-time tracking system for upcoming trains. Gone are the days of sitting uninformed at the train stations anxiously wondering when the next train will come.

According to The Globe today (only free for a few more months) the MBTA is FINALLY releasing real-time data for the Orange, Blue, and Red lines. This will tell riders where the subway train is and how long it will be until the next train arrives. The data is compiled by converting underground electric signals on the tracks into a similar GPS style format. The infamous Green line was not included because it lacks these signals (thanks for nothing MBTA, I use the green line).

This is a huge move for the MBTA and potentially a money maker for them. Back in June the Mass Dot released similar data for the Bus system in Boston, and app developers all over the city immediately starting developing on top of it. Catch The Bus, the most widely used app, was developed by Jared Egan, a software developer by day and public transit hero by night.

No apps have yet to be released using this data, but keep checking back here because the next few weeks should be exciting for all T riders. Egan’s CatchTheT app is rumored to be released next week. Check out its Twitter profile.

The MBTA also plans to install screens at each subway station, but don’t expect them to be rolled out in full for a few years. So far, two screens have been installed – one at the Back Bay station and one at Ruggles.

How ‘real-time’ do you think this data will be? How many of you ride the green line with me?