Over the last few weeks Boston-area daily public transit commuters like myself have had an extra skip in their step. In my morning commutes I am actually seeing less frowns – someone even offered me a seat this morning! By all accounts it seems that consumer tech and some ambitious developers have allowed the MBTA to finally start winning over its riders.

By opening up their API and providing real-time train data, the MBTA has allowed a slew of third party app developers a chance to build applications appealing to thousands of people. And those riders can now wait in the comfort of their own homes or coffee shops or offices with an accurate T schedule before heading underground to wait aimlessly for a train. We have previously covered the first iPhone app and a few web apps that are available, but nothing like this one.

OpenMBTA the first native iPad app was released into the app store yesterday and is FREE. The app is extremely easy to use and visually pleasing. It includes all MBTA data from trains and buses to even boats. The easy to read maps and table displays are what sets this app apart.

OpenMBTA was developed by Daniel Choi an independent software developer in Cambridge. Choi works as a part time programmer for PRX (Public Radio Exchange) in Harvard Square and has also worked on software for Kindle and Netflix users. His OpenMBTA iPhone app won runner-up in last years Massachusetts Department of Transportation Developer Conference.

Choi really is a man of the people, in an email to BostInno he replied, “OpenMBTA will always remain free. I started this project and continue to work on it because I think it’s important that there be at least one free, high quality iPhone app for Boston public transportation users. I don’t mind that other MBTA app developers are making a profit off their work. The competition is healthy and pushes me to keep improving OpenMBTA. Plus developing an app like OpenMBTA is challenging and lot of fun.”

One of the most fascinating parts of our discussion was how highly he regarded the Massachusetts Department of Transportation during this initiative. “Josh Robin and Chris Dempsey spearheaded the great move to publish MBTA schedule and real-time data over the past year and half. Without their persistence and dedication to opening up public transportation data, I think we would have had to wait a few more years for real-time MBTA mobile apps to become possible. Not only did they get MassDOT to open up their data; they’ve also been extremely attentive to us MBTA app developers. If there’s some kind of MVP award for Massachusetts public servants, I would have it go to the two of them. I would also urge Deval Patrick or whoever to promote this dynamic duo to positions where they can open up other huge swaths of Massachusetts data and let citizen-hackers build even more apps that make life easier and living in Massachusetts more interesting.”

His words are certainly inspiring and I urge you to check out his both his iPhone and iPad app. The iPad is still only version one, and Choi has mentioned his desire to add new features and improvements, so keep an eye out for future upgrades.