# MBTA Rail • Commuter Rail — Live Train Times, Alerts & Map

> Real-time commuter rail train tracker with crowd-sourced updates. (iPhone/iPad app by Sealight LLC.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mbta-rail-commuter-rail/id991877851 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Sealight LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1700978916)
- Category: Navigation, Travel
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 19 App Store ratings · 106 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 9+
- Requires: iOS 15.1 · 74 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2015-05-22
- Data updated: 2026-08-27
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mbta-rail-commuter-rail/id991877851/reviews.md

## What is MBTA Rail?

Track MBTA Commuter Rail trains in real time. Built by a daily rider, MBTA Rail pairs official real-time data with crowdsourced updates from riders on board and at the station.

Features:

- Crowdsourced reports. The predictions say on time, but you're sitting still outside Back Bay. Other riders know what's actually happening. Share and react to live updates about delays, crowding, equipment issues, and conditions on board.
- Live train tracking. See the current stop, next stop, GPS position, predicted arrivals, train speed, and a clear notice when live GPS is unavailable.
- Boarding tracks. Get track numbers as soon as they're posted, plus typical tracks based on history.
- Departures board. See what's leaving next from South Station, North Station, or Back Bay.
- Favorites and push notifications. Save the trains and routes you ride and get notified about delays, cancellations, track changes, and rider reports.
- Live Activities. Follow a same-day trip from your Lock Screen and Dynamic Island. See trip progress, next stops, predicted arrival times, boarding tracks, delay status, GPS availability, and rider report counts without opening the app. Tap the Live Activity to return to the train's details. On iOS 18 and later, see compact trip status in CarPlay and the Apple Watch Smart Stack.
- Coach history. Look up individual coach numbers to see typical tracks, on-time performance, and crowding history.
- Interactive system map. Watch trains move across the Commuter Rail network in real time.
- Schedules and service alerts. View full schedules, upcoming departures, on-time stats, and MBTA alerts for delays, cancellations, and track changes.
- CapeFLYER and Gillette Stadium. Supports special event service.
- Dark mode support.

Train locations, schedules, and predictions come from real-time data made available by the MBTA and MassDOT. App is not affiliated with the MBTA, Keolis, or MassDOT.

Terms of use: https://www.mbtarail.app/terms
Privacy policy: https://www.mbtarail.app/privacy

## Key features

- Real-time train location and status
- Crowd-sourced passenger updates
- Boarding track numbers
- Interactive route map
- Historical trip data
- Service alerts and notifications

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium | $2.99 | per year |
| Premium | $2.99 | per year |
| Premium 1 year | $9.99 | per year |
| Premium - 1 month | $1.99 | per month |
| Premium 1 year | $14.99 | per year |
| Premium - 1 month | $0.99 | per month |
| Premium | $0.99 | per 3 months |


## Chart rankings

- #194 in Top Grossing · Navigation (US App Store)

## What do users think of MBTA Rail?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 🚀 Accurate train tracking
- 👍 Helpful user comments
- 🚀 Timely updates
- 👍 Detailed train information
- 🚀 Excellent commuter assistant

**Cons**

- 🐛 App crashes or freezes
- 🐛 Inaccurate train location data
- 🔒 Subscription required for full functionality
- 🐛 Boarding track information not showing

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Login screen freezes
- Incompatible with older devices
- Broken edit box for reports

**Most requested features**

- Ability to filter by inbound/outbound trains
- Option to save/bookmark favorite routes
- Search station by typing first few letters
- Reddit-style comment rating system

## Recent user reviews (10 of 106)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mbta-rail-commuter-rail/id991877851/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Won’t commute without it

*2026-07-18, version 3.8.0*

This app saves my commute! In the morning, I can see live tracking info and how many cars my train has. Coming home, people post the platform before it’s announced. When it’s delayed or late, people post why (which is great if conductors aren’t announcing or the speaker doesn’t work in your car). Lots of solidarity with other commuters in the chat too. Love the new notifications feature!

### 5/5 — life changing!!!

*2026-05-07, version 3.4.1*

really has improved my commute. so grateful for this app ❤️❤️❤️

### 5/5 — Great app to

*2026-05-05, version 3.4.1*

Great app to track my route train changes.

### 5/5 — Better than the MBTA site!

*2026-04-16, version 3.3.0*

This app is so helpful when commuting in and out of the city frequently!

### 5/5 — You need this app

*2026-03-30, version 3.2.0*

If you’re a MBTA commuter (specifically the commuter rail) you need this app

I see people waiting in snow, bitter cold, rain - you name it - versus me who has access to GPS location data is able to gauge comfortably from my vehicle when to leave and get on the platform.

Highly recommended.
0.99/mo is literally chump change for this app’s full feature access. 

You get to post comments view gps location and statistics to see if the train is likely gonna be late again or not.

### 5/5 — Only Commute Rail App Worth Having

*2026-03-12, version 3.0.0*

This app is exponentially more helpful than any other transit app I’ve tried to use for the commuter rail, just the comment feature alone is enough since it lets riders share information but the history and data visuals are super useful as well. Best in the business.

### 5/5 — Better than the official app

*2026-02-24, version 2.76.1*

I use this app along with the official T and commuter rail alerts. 9/10 times the info here is more timely and more complete. Shows GPS data from train which is amazing and updates shared by other riders so some lines with more or less info.

### 1/5 — App not working

*2025-11-18, version 2.68.1*

Updated app and now it’s not working, nothing will load it’s just a blank white screen. Please fix this asap.

### 5/5 — An essential app!

*2025-11-13, version 2.68.1*

This app's a lifesaver. The info it provides itself is super helpful (schedules, delay info, train locations, etc), but the comments/reports feature is what makes this TRULY an essential for me as a commuter. There's always super helpful people posting track numbers, train info (how many doubles/singles), etc. And on days when the trains are falling over left and right, at least the comment section usually provides some entertainment while I'm delayed.

Anyway, thank you for this app!

### 5/5 — This app exists to make up for failures of the commuter rail

*2025-11-11, version 2.68.1*

Id never make it to my destination if it wasn’t for this app.  Seriously my train just left south station completely unannounced. It pulled in, waited 1 minute, then left. If I hadn’t guessed the right train through this app, I’d still be standing there. The mbta blows but this app makes it almost bearable.

## Frequently asked questions about MBTA Rail

### What does MBTA Rail do?

MBTA Rail provides real-time information for commuter rail trains, including live GPS location, predicted arrival times, current stops, and vehicle speed. It also offers crowd-sourced updates from other passengers and displays boarding track numbers to help you find your train.

### What are the key features of this app?

Key features include real-time train location data, crowd-sourced updates from fellow passengers, accurate boarding track numbers, an interactive map showing train movements, historical data like coach numbers and typical boarding tracks, schedule views with predicted arrival times, and service alerts for delays or cancellations.

### Is this app free to use?

The app is free to download and use, but it does offer in-app purchases. Specific details about what these purchases unlock are not provided in the description, but it suggests a freemium model.

### What devices is MBTA Rail compatible with?

The description does not specify exact compatibility details for operating systems or device models. However, it is designed as a mobile application, implying it is intended for smartphones and tablets.

### How does this app get its data?

The app sources its data directly from the MBTA's real-time feeds using PTIS equipment installed on trains. It presents the data provided by MassDOT and does not generate its own predictions.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.12.0 — 2026-08-26

- Easily see which train you’re following from the route screen
- Optionally scroll long location names instead of cutting them off, especially with larger text sizes
- Better communication around track changes
- Bug fixes

### 3.11.0 — 2026-08-09

Improved Live Activity location updates when “More Frequent Updates” is enabled.

### 3.10.0 — 2026-08-06

- Follow a train and get push notifications for it, alongside favorites and route subscriptions.
- Redesigned Notifications screen: choose what to be notified about and who gets notified, with smarter defaults.

### 3.9.0 — 2026-07-27

Live Activities on CarPlay and Apple Watch now show how many reports a train has.

### 3.8.0 — 2026-07-18

Bug fixes

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-27.*