Caltrain Mobile 4+

The user experience is great when it works. But 5 out of 10 times it won’t pass the opening animation. I have tried killing all other apps, rebooting the phone and reinstalling when this happened and it took a good amount of time to get it to work again. Imagine you have to do this when the conductor is checking ticket. Embarrassing and frustrating. Unfortunately my commuter credit card doesn’t work on Caltrain vending machine but works in this app so I am stuck with this app.

Update: since my last review, the app started working most of the time and it’s a big help when it works. But recently I can no longer get the real time update for the mountain view station. Wonder why.

——-previous review

Just downloaded the app yesterday and it worked when I tested at home. But I wasn’t able to use at the station. Kept on getting error messages of not being able to reach server and it asked to check internet connection. It looks like the app doesn’t work with cellular data. Not sure why. Such a frustrating experience. Almost late for the train yesterday. I was able to replicate the error at home by turning off wifi. All other apps works with cellular data and I checked setting to make sure this app is set to work with cellular data. Not sure what to do now. Please help.

The app is great for buying tickets online so you don’t have to deal w the hassle of the ticket booth at a station! It takes 30 seconds while you’re standing and waiting for the train. It also conveniently links the timetable and other tools. And parking is super easy to do on the app! The only thing is that I wish the live updates were better. But otherwise definitely worth downloading even if you only ride the Caltrain once.