Android already has Google Maps for public transit directions, but that doesn't mean everyone else has to give up. The Transit App has been extremely popular on iOS for the last year, and now it has arrived on Android. The Transit App can be used to search for transit directions, of course, but it's claim to fame is hyper-local route search with built-in schedules and live-updated departure times.
When you open the Android version of The Transit App, it immediately coralles you into the "Nearby" interface. This is where the app lists all the local bus, train, lightrail, and subway lines. You can tap on one and check out the itinerary or schedule. As with all parts of the app, if your city is supported with real-time updates the itinerary will be based on where the bus or train actually is, not where it is supposed to be. There are also handy swipe commands to change the route direction, and view the itinerary.
If you've got a specific trip in mind, the directions interface is easy to figure out. Just input your destination and the app will find the top four routes organized by departure time. The results are displayed on an embedded Google Maps page, but the full list of directions is available as well. You can also find directions for a future date and time. That's actually a very useful feature for planning in advance.
Another differentiating feature in The Transit App is the ability to turn off various transit services in the settings. If you prefer to take the bus, but want to stay out of the subway, you can set the app to avoid subways in a few taps.
The iOS version includes an offline mode, which is important in subways, but the Android app doesn't yet have that. The developers say The Transit App for Android will get offline mode and other features in the near future.
The Transit App is not available everywhere, but its list of 43 metro areas across the US and Canada is better than most. They include New York, Toronto, Boston, Ottawa, Seattle, Houston, Québec, and Minneapolis/St. Paul. The listing has the full list of cities, and the app is totally free.
