Transit GO Ticket

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Same company as the transit app for Austin but way less user friendly. I never got lost using the Austin version. With Seattle’s version, I couldn’t find a stop and luckily went early so I walked an extra 8 blocks to where I luckily found one. Tried analyzing the map next attempt and the route lines go through a playground. Although it is changing to the same rate, currently there are different ticket prices for during rush hour and outside of rush hour but I had to find those ‘peak hours’ on another website. You also can’t purchase more than a single ride ticket. No all day, week, or month. I’ve lived in several cities and all have offered all these options. Maybe you can get other fares with a card from the transit store, I don’t know. Even more confusing, you’re single ride ticket does work for specific other buses for I believe two hours and the only way to know what those routes are is to get a tear off list from the driver upon boarding. Just bike if you can. Seattle is super biker friendly. Transit commuter? Not so much.

Worked pretty good until the day I was at a stop and needed to go downtown. Stupid streetcar doesn’t show up when it should so I have to take the bus instead or wait 10 more minutes. Well already bought the streetcar ticket (you have to be ready to board) so now I buy the bus ticket as well. Happened to me twice. Finally ordered the orca card as we are staying a couple of months. Now it doesn’t matter who shows up bus or streetcar. Also I barely made it on a Sound transit bus at the Federal Way station. Tried to use this app with a transfer ticket as I just got off another bus. Luckily the driver was nice to us and explained it’s two different systems and let us on anyway. It can be confusing to a newcomer so once again the orca card will be fine to use on Sound Transit. This app works for a visit to Seattle. Just be aware of what you are boarding- Sound or Metro. You will need something else if it’s Sound, this app won’t work.

I’m really glad that a solution like this exists finally, and for the most part is has been extremely convenient using this app vs using an orca card. Getting tickets is seamless, and using them is almost as easy as scanning your orca card (you just have to tap the screen once you have activated ticket to show the bus driver the color of the days’ ticket). But with new apps as always, there tend to be some growing pains. I would argue the main issue with this app is what the title of this review suggests. Its a huge issue, not to mention an embarrassment, opening the app to purchase a ticket, but then all of a sudden you are automatically logged out randomly and you have to explain to the bus driver who doesn’t have the time of day to understand what you are talking about. It’s a very frustrating UX to deal with, especially if you relying on this app to use 3 transfers for example. Developers: If this is a security measure, please choose to implement Face ID or Touch ID in place of having to enter in an email address and password. It takes less than a second to do, and is arguably even more secure. But even then, I’m not at all convinced having to enter in your email and password is in any way necessary. That 10-20 seconds of time savings is crucial when you are a pedestrian relying on public transit. Otherwise, I’m overall thankful that an app like this exists.

iPhone 6 on iOS 10. No problems as others have complained. The app did take a few seconds to start, pull up my ticket and activate, so don't wait until you're boarding the bus to do this. Otherwise, it works just fine. The trip planner could be improved since it's just a mobile interface to their website, which I don't think is the most user friendly. At least being able to auto populate your location would be an improvement. If the location crosshair icon was supposed to do this, I couldn't get it to do anything. Until ORCA goes completely virtual, this app is great for the infrequent traveler without a card.

I used this app on my first time out using public transportation. It activated as expected without any issues. However, there could be better improvements done about the interface and navigation/activation speed. Both the metro bus driver and fare enforcer on the Link train did not hassle me with issues or questioning squints, they gave it a quick glance and acknowledged it with a nod (beginners luck?). All in all, a very useful tool that seems to successfully improve through each update since release. Very great and highly recommend!