Why we're rolling out this update
Over the past two years since the MTA app v3 launched, we’ve reviewed more than 22,000 comments from riders — suggestions, feature requests, compliments, and complaints. While we’ve made many improvements along the way, one theme was consistent: riders want faster access to more accurate arrival information that works wherever they are, including underground.
To deliver on this, we rebuilt the MTA app and its data sources from the ground up. The new version provides quicker access to subway and bus arrivals, more frequent updates, improved accuracy, and a smoother experience overall.
What’s different in the new version
A faster, more responsive app:
Real-time information loads more quickly, using less data.
Arrivals data is also updated more frequently.
A focus on NYC’s subway and buses:
The Explore tab is now organized into two main tabs: Subway and Bus.
Favorites now live within each tab, with nearby favorites shown at the top.
LIRR and Metro-North arrivals are now found exclusively in the TrainTime app —– seamlessly integrated with ticketing.
Better performance underground:
Using less data means quicker results when your connection is weak.
And the updated app now loads and stores arrival times for other stations, too. That way, you can view your transfer options in between stations based on that stored data. And that data– which updates quickly when you enter the next station.
Smarter favorites:
Nearby favorites are shown first in the Subway and Bus tabs, including the nearest stations and stops on your favorite lines and routes.
Your existing favorites will transfer automatically to the new version.
v3’s Smart Favorites is being retired in favor of this simpler, more predictable experience. (All location data stored anonymously to power Smart Favorites will be deleted 30 days after the update.)
Will I need to do anything before the update?
No. MTA app v4 replaces the current version. If you have automatic updates enabled, you’ll get it automatically within the next few days. Otherwise, you’ll have to update it using your app store:
Will my existing favorites stay the same?
Yes. Your favorite lines, routes, stations, and stops will carry over.
The details, tab by tab
Explore: Subway
Redesigned layout shows more stations and trains at a glance.
This shows trips in one direction of travel. The new Swap direction button does just that.
Nearby favorites appear before other stations that are close by.
This includes the nearest stations on your favorited lines — so you can quickly find the trains that will get you home.
Accessibility mode is new — turn it on to see only accessible stations
Trip view is similar, with one huge new feature—tap on the station where you want to exit or transfer, and in addition to viewing arrivals at that station, you’ll now also:
See which cars are closest to street exits or accessible options.
Have one-tap access to available transfer options via the new Transfer here button, which shows how long you will have to transfer to other subway lines and buses.
Other changes:
Improved station search makes it easier to find your stop.
Elevator and escalator status and walking directions have moved to the bottom—scroll down to find them.
Static subway maps are still available under the More tab.
Explore: Bus
Redesigned layout reduces clutter, showing more stops and route options at a glance.
Nearby favorites appear before other stops that are close by.
This includes the nearest stops on your favorited routes, so you can quickly find the bus that will get you home.
Stops for nearby express routes appear below the local routes.
The map shows all bus routes, with your favorite routes highlighted.
The locations of nearby buses on your favorite routes are also displayed.
Trip view, like for Subway, now includes Transfer here: Tap on the stop where you want to transfer, and Transfer here shows how long you will have to change to available subway lines and buses.
Other changes:
Only confirmed trips are shown. Scheduled buses that may not operate are not.
Bus stop icons now more clearly show travel direction.
Static bus maps are still available under the More tab.
Status
The Status tab has been simplified to make checking service conditions faster.
Favorites now shows a summary of alerts for your favorite lines and routes—no need to tap into each line to see what’s happening.
Status by station or bus stop is no longer provided.
Subway status displayed by line in groups, making it quicker to find your route
Scroll down for Planned Service Changes in Favorites, Subway, and Bus tabs
Elevator/Escalator outages: defaults to show nearest stations first (with search and filtering also available), elevator outages lists travel alternatives
Plan Trip
Plan Trip now matches the experience on mta.info to provide more consistent and reliable results.
More
The More tab has been reorganized, with a few minor changes:
Access-A-Ride booking is available in More, but the AAR tab has been removed
Static schedules for subway and bus are still available at mta.info/schedules, but we’ve removed the rarely used direct link within the app
Not a change: More still contains a link to Send app feedback — we want to keep hearing from you.
Other changes
• Push notifications and widgets are not yet implemented in this new version.