• One challenge invites developers to create mobile phone or Web-based applications that make the MBTA easier to navigate. The other invites developers to visualize “a day in the life of the MBTA” using CharlieCard “taps”’ data. The winner of both will get free T rides for a year. Visit www.eot.state.ma.us/developers for more information.
• Organizers envisioned potential new apps that use MBTA riders’ locations to link them with friends en route or simply provide the closest coffee shop.
It’s nearly impossible nowadays to ride the subway or even stand on a MBTA platform without seeing other riders tapping away on their iPhones and BlackBerrys. Now, Web and mobile phone applications are slowly popping up for those tech-savvy commuters that put transit information literally in their palms of their hands.
One application available now, To A T, provides the closest T station and even bus. Another MassTransit, offers bus, commuter rail and ferry schedules. It’s developer, Cambridge-based Sparkfish Creative, plans to offer subway schedules soon — which is what many riders told Metro yesterday they are after.
“If it had schedules and maps of the subway, that’d be useful,” said T rider Sarah Humnasti, 34, of Somerville.
Meanwhile, a new state initiative could transform the transit application market. The “Developers Challenge,” launched last month by the Executive Office of Transportation (EOT), encourages software developers to create the best new applications for riders utilizing newly-released MBTA data. Organizers hope it will produce a slew of new navigational tools for T riders.
The challenge comes on the heels of a similar effort in Washington D.C. run by the city, which produced 47 new iPhone, Facebook and web applications.
“We think in long-run, this will be a huge benefit to riders,” said Chris Dempsey, EOT’s assistant secretary of transportation for innovation and project development.
Top 3 cool apps for people on the go
1) NYC Subway Sooze — If you’re napping on your commute, this claims to wake you up at your stop.
2) A new Zipcar application allows users to reserve, locate and even unlock their rental cars
3) Built for the “Apps for Democracy” competition in D.C., Stumble
Safely finds good bars and provides a safe route to walk home afterward.
