And we have a winner! The MTA's App Quest competition to find the best applications using MTA data has concluded and Embark NYC, a nifty trip planing app that also lets you know about service changes, is the big winner. But Embark wasn't the only sweet app in the running, quite a few of them caught the eyes of the judges (which included our own Co-Founder Jen Chung).
A total of 42 apps were submitted and judged "in terms of quality of the idea (including creativity and originality), implementation of the idea (including design), and potential impact on MTA riders." Of those the judges found Embark just a touch ahead of the pack. They awarded second and third place to Free NYC Subway Locator and Notify Me NYC. And another five apps were given honorable mentions: Art by Subway NYC, Right Track: Metro North, Annadale: Staten Island Train and Ferry, NYC Travel and OnBoard.
And that's not all! When regular users were asked to pick their favorites they chose an entirely different app, CityMaps.com, as the best. So many good apps! What's really great about the App Quest is that pretty much all of the submissions are good examples of how to make using the MTA's services better while—most importantly—making access to the MTA's schedules and up-to-the-minute data easier.
The grand prize winner got $5,000, a custom 5' subway sign, iMac and iPad cases, a free rug (no, really) and a subway T-Shirt. Do you use any apps to better your commutes? Going to at least try Embark now? Its free, and works on iOS and Android devices.
