By Joseph Morales

           Since 2016, commuter rail passengers on the Metro-North and LIRR systems have been able to purchase tickets through the MTA’s eTix app, rather than using machines at stations for paper tickets. This not only saved riders time, but allowed them to board trains directly upon entering the station which in some cases saved them from long waits for infrequent trains. Now the MTA has turned eTix into MTA TrainTime which now gives riders the functionality of both the Metro-North and LIRR TrainTime apps as well as MTA eTix in this single app.

                   In addition to purchasing their tickets, riders can determine how to get to a destination as well as when a train will arrive. Since both Metro-North and LIRR TrainTime are integrated into this app, riders can use this single app to plan both Metro-North and LIRR trips without using two separate apps, which may become particularly in handy once East Side Access is completed and riders can connect between the railroads within Grand Central Terminal.  The convenience may  make riding commuter rail easier for many and might even encourage increased ridership. In addition to trip planning, riders can determine how crowded a train is and see real-time seat availability, which is great especially for those with disabilities and for those still wary about COVID-19 infection. Real- time customer support via chat is also available via the TrainTime app. Overall, this is just one of many technologies the MTA has deployed over the past 10 years such as the MyMTA app and the eTix app that have made it easier to get around the NY Metro Region. Hopefully, there will be many more to come.

LIRR schedule on the MTA TrainTime App

Search Page on MTA TrainTime App

Settings Page on MTA TrainTime App

Works Cited

“New MTA TrainTime App Is Now Available.” MTA, https://new.mta.info/traintime. Accessed 4 September 2022.