Accurate and up to date information about transit services is crucial to transit riders. While Katja Weir at the Washington Examiner and Dana Hedgpeth at the Washington Post have recently reported problems with a particular mobile transit app, we don't really know what all the fuss is about. Mobile information services, such as Google Apps, are often available both on web browsers and via mobile apps, and each mode of access may have different strengths and weaknesses. Even though a specific transit app may be unavailable, we find that accurate and up to date information about Washington DC transit service has been and remains readily and conveniently available to smartphone users. Here's a sample:

Real-time Bus Information: Real-time information for Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority (WMATA) buses is conveniently available on the NextBus site here. Users can enter a specific stop ID, scroll to a specific bus route, and bookmark pages as needed.

Real-time Train Information: Real-time information for WMATA trains is available directly on the WMATA site here. Though we think the text is small for a mobile device, users can likewise scroll to specific stations and bookmark pages as needed.

Route Planning: while the real-time sources cited above provide information about WMATA only, route planning information incorporating service from most of the local transit agencies is available on WMATA's site here. Bookmark as needed.

Do you have a favorite transit tool? Let us know!

Originally Posted: December 31, 2012.