---
# System prepended metadata

title: Best Transit Tracking App
tags: [MBTA-Meta, Video, '2022']

---

###### tags: `MBTA-Meta` `Video` `2022`
# Best Transit Tracking App

## Apps

- [Transit](https://transitapp.com/)
- [Pantograph](https://www.pantographapp.com/)
- [Google Maps](https://maps.google.com/)
- [Citymapper](https://citymapper.com/)

### Maybe

- [ProximiT](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/proximit-mbta-bus-and-subway/id721033937)

## Script

### Intro
Transit apps. You probably use one. And in this video, I will try to answer the question that has plauged humanity since the dawn of time. Which one is the best? (intro) We will be testing These 4 apps Transit, Googlemaps, Citymapper and Pantograph. Although there are many other apps, I feel these are the most common. Now without further ado lets start.

### Transit

Firstly we have the app that you most likely have. Transit. I've had transit for a really long time now and I really love it. However lately I feel the app has been going downhill. But lets first talk about what I like. I really like that transit shows you all different routes nearby with walking directions and real time departures. This is especially great if you want to take a different route then usual or are a transit enthusiast. Athough it isn't always accurate, I appreciate that they show where the bus is on a map. The grapic design is really nice too. Now some cons. The first one is that it relies heaviliy on in-app purchases. Like if you have the free version you can only see a couple of routes and the next few departures, where as with the premium subscription you can see routes and departures at all times. Another con is how there is no web version for the service. One more annoying feature of transit is sometimes it recommends routes really far from where you are. In conculsion I recommend Transit for the smart commuter type of person.

### Google Maps

While Google Maps is often seen as an app for walking or driving directions it also has great transit directions. By changing your map view to "transit" you can instantly see buses and arrival times and sometimes even live buses. Another great thing about Google Maps is that it tells you the fare for your ride. It only does this on certain systems but when it does it is really helpful. Another great thing about Google Maps is the amount of transit systems it covers. Chances are if you live in a city with a subway, your system is on there. Many other apps only cover big cities in the US but Google Maps does really well in showing many transit authorities from all around the world. It also gives many options for it's directions which also ties in to some of it's cons. Sometimes when you are looking at directions for transit it will tell you to drive or take a lyft like 5 minutes. WHY? this defeats the entire purpose. I also do not particuraly like the graphic design of this app. It is a little overwhelming at first but once you get the hang of it it is ok. I recommend Google Maps for someone who rides public transit occasionally. 

### Pantograph

I only discovered Pantograph recently. But I love this app. I love how this app has the vehicle numbers and type of bus and many more pieces of information other apps don't. I also love how this app shows buses block schedules, which are schedules for a particular bus all day. This app also is great for being free. I love that this app shows departure times for all routes from a certain stop. However this ties in to what I don't like about pantograph. It Requires a bit more work  to get real time arrivals then other apps. When in transit real times departures show up immediately. I also find the graphic design overwhelming sometimes. Pantograph also only works in a handful of cities. If they can expand to more cities it would be amazing.I also just don't feel Pantograph is the best app for the regular commuter. I reommend pantograph for a transit enthusiast. 

### CityMapper

Citymapper is different from all the other transit apps. It feels very similar to Google Maps in terms of graphic design but provides really great information. One of my favorite parts of this app is that it tells you what the best entrance to enter is. This feature is really helpful if you are unfamilar with an area. This app is also one of the few transit apps that works on desktop with no download. I also love how this app specifically has  wheelchair accessible section for directions. This app is also similar to googlemaps in that it has real time departures easily avalible. Now things I don't like. Firstly the app dosen't work in most places. It only works in major big cities. And thats about it... I really love this app. I recommend Citymapper for directions.

### Conclusion

So after all this, what is my favorite app. CITYMAPPER! This app has so many amazing features and just is an amazing way to get around. A close second is Pantograph for me with it's bus information and interesting features. Thanks for watching and see you in the next one. 

## Script Line By Line

- All Transit app icons show:
    - Transit apps. You probably use one.
- Background blackens and question mark grows on
    - But which one is the best?
- 

## Sources

[CityMapper Logo](https://logo-base.com/citymapper)