Right Track: Metro North is an Android app that provides quick and easy access to Metro North schedule information and real time status updates. The included schedule database gives you departure, arrival and travel times between stations along Metro North's East-of-Hudson lines (Hudson, Harlem and New Haven lines and branches), with no internet connection required! The app also integrates Metro North's Train Time (TM) status and track information directly into the trip schedules when an internet connection is available (except for the Waterbury and Danbury branches and NH-State St station, which do not have Train Time information available to them). You can also view a station's Train Time table directly within the app, giving you the upcoming departures from the station with status information and track numbers. Also included is an easy to read line map for Metro North and the MTA Service Status information, giving you up to the minute status information for all MTA Transit Services, including NYC Subways and Buses!

Don't have access to the Android Market?
View the Download section to see instructions on how to manually install the app

Features

Current Features:

• Favorites (you can import and export your favorites between this version and the original version)
• Trip Searches
• Most Transfers are supported with Version 2.1.5
• Trip Sharing
• Station Tables
• Metro North Line Map
• MTA Service Status
• Customizable Status Ticker
• Swipe Gesture Detection - the app now detects left and right swipe gestures to cycle through the home screens and the MTA Status services

NOTE: Some of these features, which are available for free now, may only be available with a purchased upgrade. The final version will also be ad-supported (removable with an upgrade).

Upgrades

Upgrades will be handled a bit differently with this version. I'm going to try using Google's In-App Billing system to handle the purchase of additional features rather than having separate PRO and LITE versions. I'll most likely break some of the features into smaller purchases, such as Ad Removal for $0.99, Transfers for $0.99 and Other Features (widgets, alarms, etc) for $0.99 and bundle them all together for a discounted price of $1.99. I'll provide an update to the current PRO version that will allow pro version users to generate a promo code than can be used in the new version to activate a full upgrade.

Screenshots

The app now has a revamped home screen. From here you can access your favorites, a new trip search, a new station table, the line map or the MTA service status. If you would rather have the app start with your favorites, you can choose the initial start-up screen from the settings. The bar along the bottom of the screen includes a status ticker which will cycle through the status of selected MTA lines and automatically refreshes every few minutes. The displayed lines can be set through the settings page and include all MTA transit services.

As of version 2.0.20120117 trip searches are working! However, transfers are not yet supported, but will be coming soon. Available status and track information is loaded in the background and is automatically updated every two minutes while the results are shown. When a specific trip result (row) is long-pressed, the app will show all of the stops that the selected trip makes. More options (such as sharing the trip) will be added in the future.

Grand Central Terminal Station Table. The station tables now automatically refresh every 60 seconds while it is open to ensure that the most up to date information is displayed (this can be disabled from the settings page).

The MTA Service Status has a revamped UI, but provides the same up to date service status for all of the MTA's transit services. I've added swipe gesture detection, so you can quickly cycle through all of the services by swiping left/right across the screen.

Download

Right Track: Metro North is available on the Android Market. You can search for "Right Track: Metro North" or visit the web version of the Android Market.

Use this link to open the Android Market in a browser.

Scan this QR code to launch the Android Market page

Don't have access to the Android Market?
Click here for instructions on how to manually install the app

Version History

Version 2.3.1
Trip Widgets are now available! Page swiping has been improved along with multiple bug fixes.

Version 2.3.0
This version removes the free trial of the extra features and opens up upgrades through In-App Purchases.
It also adds Station Widgets, toggles train origin, destination and id numbers with pressing a row in the trip results.

Version 2.2.2
This version includes departure and arrival travel alarms

Version 2.2.1
This version has some bug fixes, added trip sharing options and supports CT branch transfers

Version 2.2.0
A Complete rewrite of the app. There are a lot of great changes - check it out!

Version 1.7.1
This version has an updated schedule database which includes stop times for the brand new Fairfield Metro station on the New Haven Line and holiday schedules for Christmas and the observed New Years on Jan 2nd.

Version 1.7.0
This version includes a number of new features:

• The schedule database includes the updated New Haven Line schedule and the special holiday schedule for Thanksgiving
• There is a NEW SETTING: Trip searches can now be limited to a specified time range around the current time (for favorites) or the entered time (for the trips tab). The default setting is 2 hours before and 6 hours after and can be changed from the settings tab
• Statuses/Track Numbers now load in the background of trip results
• Available Statuses/Track Numbers now show up for transfer stations (PRO)
• Train Number Favorites

Version 1.6.3
This version includes a few more database-related bug fixes. This update seems to fix the problems most people were having based on the responses from those that have contacted me. If you experience problems, try the 'Reset / Restore DB' button in the settings tab.

Version 1.6.2
This version includes a few bug fixes and information regarding Metro North's new "Quiet Calmute" pilot program.

• Database Bug Fixes
• Fixed a bug in the 'Leaves in' time calculation
• Added the Queit Cars to the database and trips display (Trips with a Quiet Car are marked with a 'Q')

Version 1.6.1
This version includes a schedule database update for the new schedules effective 10/16/2011 (this update does not yet include the Holiday Schedules). There are also a few bug fixes, including one for the database auto-updates.

Version 1.6.0
This version includes a few new features and bug fixes.

• NEW! Station Widgets - now you can add your favorite Stations to your homescreen to view upcoming departures and their statuses and track numbers (PRO Version only)
• I added a button to the favorites list to view station stops and times by train route number (see the settings tab to turn this on)
• More Bug Fixes

Version 1.5.4
This version fixes a few more bugs for users that are still having problems with the database. If you're not experiencing problems, there's no need to update.

Version 1.5.3
This version includes some bug fixes that may fix the problems some users are still having with the latest updates, including only having Grand Central listed as a station and not seeing any search results. If you're still having these problems, see the Troubleshooting section below to see how you can help.
If you're not exeperiencing any problems, there is no need to update.

Version 1.5.2
This version should hopefully fix the issues a handful of users were having with the last two updates.

• The database is included with the app again
• The database is no longer stored on the SD Card - which was causing issues for a handful of users
• The database can still be updated directly from the app

Version 1.5.1

• Bug Fixes - most in regards to database error handling
• Fixed the display of station stops and times in the context menu of train time tables

Version 1.5.0

• TRANSFERS are now supported in the PRO Version!
• The database is now provided separately (no longer need an app update when the schedules change)
• Check for database updates automatically (can be disabled in the settings tab)
• Overall stability improvements
• PRO: Share Trips via text message, email, etc (great for sending pickup times)

Version 1.4.2

• Line Map Bug Fix that prevented the map tiles from being saved to the SD Card
• Added Export / Import Favorites buttons to the Settings tab - now you can copy your favorites between LITE & PRO versions

Version 1.4.1

• Fixed a bug that crashed the app when displaying the About page

Version 1.4.0

• Name Change to "Right Track: Metro North"
• Removed support for Android 1.5
• Bug Fixes: including one that caused the app to crash on Android 1.6
• Added better support for trains that stop at stations to just Discharge or Receive passengers - this is reflected in the schedule search and when displaying station stops for applicable trips
• New "Add Favorite" button to make adding favorites easier

Troubleshooting

If you're experiencing any trouble with the app, the first thing I suggest to most users is to clear the app's data. This has helped clear up the problems for most users that have contacted me. To clear the data, open the Settings app from your phone's app drawer. Here, select Applications followed by Manage Applications. From the list of apps, select 'Right Track: Metro North' and finally the 'Clear data' button (NOTE: this will erase your favorites, unless they have been exported first).

If you're still experiencing problems, please email me at android@davidwaring.net or use the included feedback forms from within the app (available from the drop down menu in the top right corner of the app's home screen). If you're sending a bug report, it is often very helpful to include the log file that is generated by the app (this is done by selecting the checkbox at the bottom of the feedback forms).

Contact Info

• Bug Reports - If you find an error in the schedule database or a problem with the app, you can use the included bug report form in the app (available from the menu from the main tabs) or you can email me at the address below. Any help in finding problems is much appreciated!
• Feature Requests - I'm always open to feature requests and new ideas - in fact, a lot of what's been incorporated into the app has been suggested by users! You can email me your ideas/requests at the address below.
• Email Address: android [at] davidwaring [dot] net
• More Contact Info Available Here

This app is officially licensed by the MTA. Train Time and Metro North are Registered Trademarks of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Subway symbols (C) Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Used with permission.