Living in Connecticut I’m only a short 1.5 train ride from New York City. I have many clients that I regularly visit for my day job. On the weekends I enjoy traveling into the city to take in the sites or catch a Broadway show. Using the Metro North commuter railroad is the only way I’ll travel because it completely eliminates the hassle of driving in city traffic and finding a parking spot. Until now I’d never know what train that I needed to catch because I always lost the little schedules they give away at the station. Just out for iPhone is Station Stops which is an application that gives access to all of the Metro North schedules on your iPhone.

Because it stores the data in your phone – you don’t have to worry about being within range of a data connection (a problem in the tunnels and some sections of the rail route). The cost is $5.99 and it’s available now via the App Store.

It does one thing very well – which is to show a concise schedule of trains going into and out of Grand Central Terminal (intermediate destination stops are not searchable) along with their travel times and whether they are peak or off peak.

Some things that I hope they add:

1. I would like to have the ability to save favorite stations. When I travel I always leave from the New Haven station. Instead of having to use the wheel to find New Haven — I’d prefer a button to press.

2. There should be a button that when pressed gives you access to the Grand Central Terminal information board. This online board provides information about what track the trains are departing on. I’ve used this quite a bit when returning to Grand Central so that I know what area of the station that I need to head to.

3. Include Metro North service advisories – this would enable an “at a glance” update to any major delays or changes to schedules.

4. Provide for a way to indicate schedule changes and remotely download those changes (versus having to cable to iTunes or go through the mobile App Store)

5. Allow for a way to search intermediate stops. As this application stands it only shows travel routes to and from Grand Central Terminal. The ability to specify a different destination station other than Grand Central would make it more flexible and useful for all commuters.

Station Stops is a great way to avoid carrying those little fold up MTA schedules that always get lost. It’s cost is $5.99. Well worth the investment for anyone who regularly travels to and from Grand Central Terminal in New York City!

Station Stops via iTunes App Store
More information about Station Stops is available from their web site