Voting open for the best new MTA app

Public voting is now open for the MTA’s third-annual app challenge.

Apps that help riders determine which elevators are working, alert them to transit changes and provide voice directions in the subway, have been created by developers from New York and beyond.

The MTA released new data sets to developers in November as part of App Quest 3.0, challenging them to create apps that will help New Yorkers, especially those living with disabilities, navigate the city’s transit system.

About 25 percent of the apps submitted to the MTA aimed to help make the system more accessible, the agency said.

Among the data released were on-time status for Metro-North and LIRR trains, MTA bus locations and three months of on-time and departure data for eight subway lines and the Staten Island Railway. “PROMObeacons,” which function like GPS and can pinpoint a user’s location, were installed in Grand Central for the challenge.

The public can vote on the $5,000 Popular Choice prize. The other categories are judged by tech experts.

Voting continues through March 25, and the winners will be announced on March 19. A total of $50,000 in prize money is being awarded by AT&T for the contest.

MTA spokesman Aaron Donovan said the agency encourages developers to not charge for the apps.