The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has launched its web-based itinerary planner, TripPlanner+, as a downloadable app for mobile iOS devices. The app is now available for free in the App Store.
The desktop version of TripPlanner went live in December 2006, allowing customers to obtain travel itineraries using New York Transit’s subway and bus network, and Staten Island Railway. It has been upgraded since to incorporate MTA commuter railroads, more realistic street grid views, better visualization of walking directions, subway map overlays onto street views, preferred route options and a more customized user experience.
With the new TripPlanner+ mobile app, customers can map directions using a full street address, landmarks, subway stations and street intersections by using a dropdown menu from their iOS devices. The planner generates up to three travel routes between any two points using MTA services such as subways, local and express buses, Staten Island Railway, Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad.
“We want to arm our customers and visitors to the New York area with ways to get around the MTA system, and TripPlanner+ does that with an intuitive, user-friendly interface. Now anyone with an iOS device can take advantage of the TripPlanner+ app for their trips,” said Paul J. Fleuranges, MTA’s Senior Director of Corporate and Internal Communications.
The itinerary planner helps customers minimize transfers, travel time and walking distance, and offers routes for customers who require accessible (ADA) access. Customers can view up to three suggested options that include walking directions and total travel time, along with the total fare cost for each route.
The new iOS app also has functions that save previously searched addresses, send itineraries via email, send feedback to the MTA, and find MTA routes that service specific locations. The MTA also includes up-to-date service advisory information for planned and unplanned service disruptions and displays them on TripPlanner+ itineraries if they apply to suggested routes. The planner takes into account any planned subway detours if they are applicable.
