511.org releases new iPhone 4 transit app

Schedule feature allows
you to see all of your options.

This week 511.org, part of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) released its iPhone 4 version of their San Fransisco Bay Area Transit app. An Android version has been released for some time now.

The app is comprehensive with more than 30 transit agencies in the system as well as Caltrain, BART, Amtrak California, and all Bay Area scheduled ferries. This app provides the most complete transit agency coverage for the San Francisco Bay Area. It quickly finds transit trip options based on your selected start and end points.

This app is a welcome addition to the meager offering for the VTA system. I previously reviewed the VTA Transit app and found both the original and second versions to be not worth the download (good thing the lite version is free).


Trips feature allows you to see
 multiple options to your
selected destination.

 One of the features I find both unique and extremely useful is the "schedules" page. By listing a location you can find all of the different transit options leaving within the next 30 minutes. This is useful in transit centers, and Caltrain Stations such as 4th and King or San Jose Diridon. With so many transit options leaving the station different bus routes may be going to the same general area so you can save time by catching the very next bus.
 
In addition to the features listed above, the app also provides you with each travel segments cost as well as the overall costs. Any system wide announcements are also highlighted and displayed.
 
Another great feature is that the settings tab allows you to include trains, buses, or ferries into the selection. So if you don't ride ferries, no need to include the ferry schedules in your results page. Also in the settings tab you can customize the walk to transit feature. You can specify you maximum walking distance as well as your personal walking speed in one of three categories slow, normal, or fast. 
 
Although I think this is a great app here are some suggestions that would be useful in subsequent releases.

1. Incorporate an estimated time of arrival using a "next bus" type of GPS system. All times listed are scheduled.
2. Incorporate a proximately alarm (as seen on a Portland Transit app) that sounds an alarm when you are near your destination. Allow this feature to be customizable depending on how far you are away from your intended stop.



Maps feature allows you to
 see your progress but also
the transfer times.

3. The app allows you to customize your favorite locations, however the app basis it off the address you input. It would be a great feature to also include a nickname such as Tuesday's farmers market, or Willow Glen Roasting. When you use transit often with lots of favorite locations, its difficult to identify stops with a long list of addresses.

If you travel extensively throughout the San Francisco Bay Area you will find this app extremly useful. Outside of Google maps there is now a Bay Area wide app for those of us who use the system on a daily basis.

Download the free 511 Transit App by searching for “511 Transit” on the App Store or Google Play (formerly Android Market).

The app allows you to expand the
details of your trip in a linear format.

Settings for type of transit and
walking preferences are also included.