# Third Rail: nyc transit times — one touch and you're there

> NYC subway arrival estimates with real-time delay predictions. (iPhone/iPad app by Ugly Computer.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/third-rail-nyc-transit-times/id6760941150 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Ugly Computer](https://appshunter.io/developer/1886942407)
- Category: Navigation
- Price: Free
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 6 App Store ratings · 1 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 17.0 · 117 MB
- Released: 2026-04-09
- Data updated: 2026-10-18
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/third-rail-nyc-transit-times/id6760941150/reviews.md

## What is Third Rail?

It's 2026. Our city has the best subway system in the country. Why does it still feel like none of the trains run on time?

I can't fix the delays, but at least I can help you route around them. Third Rail tells you when your train will arrive, but the countdown times I've got here aren't available in any other app. I spent months building a custom computer algorithm that detects delayed trains, and predicts much more precisely when your train will arrive.

• BETTER TRAIN ETAS: when a train is running smoothly, Third Rail estimates the exact second it will arrive.
• DELAY ESTIMATES: many minor delays are never officially announced by the MTA, and even official delay alerts don't say which exact trains will be late, or how late they might be. Third Rail detects delays before the MTA announces them, and shows a range of possible times a late train might arrive.
• A PRETTY MAP: I manually redrew every train line in the city to make the map easier to read. The colored lines between stations show actual current conditions, so you can quickly check nightly reroutes and stations with canceled weekend service.
• OFFLINE MODE: Even when you lose service underground between stations, Third Rail remembers arrival times from the last time you had internet.
• PRIVATE BY DEFAULT: Third Rail does not collect your location data for analytics or advertising purposes. Your location never leaves your phone.
• Independently owned and designed in NYC.

Get to your destination in a single touch with Third Rail, the unofficial guide to the New York City subway.

## Key features

- Arrival estimates with delay forecasting
- Second-precision arrival times
- Works underground without service
- Station-specific u-turn information
- Location data stays on device

## Is Third Rail safe?

Not enough ratings yet to assess Third Rail.

## Is Third Rail legit?

Third Rail: nyc transit times has limited verification signals. The AppsHunter Legitimacy Score for Third Rail is 58 out of 100 points across 7 verification signals from App Store and developer data.

## Recent user reviews (1 of 1)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/third-rail-nyc-transit-times/id6760941150/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Nice work, nice work indeed!

*2026-10-13*

Very simple, very clear interface. The presentation of times until the arrival of various trains is elegant and attractive and uncluttered. The way the map focuses, and the way the app then selects the nearest stations is also utterly painless for the user. 

How accurate the time-numbers themselves may be I cannot tell. They come, some say, from the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Gotham (a place known for its "wise men"), and by others from the Academy of Projectors on Laputa (whose reputation has been beyond dispute for centuries). 

And whether the app is capable of estimating arrival times when there is no signal is something I haven't tested yet. Of course, loss of signal is never an issue in either Gotham or Laputa. Perish the thought! O perish the thought!

## Frequently asked questions about Third Rail

### What makes Third Rail's arrival estimates different?

Third Rail forecasts potential train delays and displays arrival times as a range (e.g., "5–9 minutes away") instead of a single estimate. This helps users anticipate potential lateness and plan accordingly.

### Can I use Third Rail without a cell signal?

Yes, you can view arrival times for any NYC subway station, even when you are underground between stations and do not have service. This ensures you always have access to critical transit information.

### Does Third Rail show if a station has free u-turns?

Yes, a small icon in the app indicates which stations do not allow free u-turns. This feature helps commuters avoid unexpected issues when navigating the subway system.

### Is my location data safe with Third Rail?

Absolutely. Your location data never leaves your device when using Third Rail. The app prioritizes user privacy and security for all its features.

### How accurate are the arrival estimates?

The app provides arrival estimates with second precision, such as "25 seconds" versus "90 seconds." This level of detail is crucial for commuters trying to catch a train, especially when waiting times are long.

### What is the age rating for Third Rail?

Third Rail has an age rating of 4+. This indicates it is suitable for a wide range of users, including younger individuals who may be navigating the subway system.

### When was Third Rail last updated?

Third Rail was last updated on April 9, 2026, coinciding with its release date. This suggests it is a new application with recent development focus.

### Does Third Rail have ads?

No, Third Rail does not contain advertisements. The app is completely free to use and does not display any ads, providing an uninterrupted user experience.

## Version history (last 3 releases)

### 1.2 — 2026-10-05

New map looks much nicer, and now draws current service conditions.

### 1.1 — 2026-08-18

- Added a small compass that always points uptown
- You can now tap on a train to list future stations it will arrive at
- Reduced network usage

### 1.0 — 2026-04-09

No release notes.

## Apps similar to Third Rail

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [NYC Subway Times Widget](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nyc-subway-times-widget/id6737857211) | 5.0 (1) | Free | Navigation |
| [Subway Run Subway Times](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/subway-run-subway-times/id6749251724) | — | Free | Navigation |
| [Subway Pro](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/subway-pro/id6756434209) | — | Free | Navigation |
| [RailARA](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/railara/id6762163897) | — | Free | Navigation |
| [Uptown Subway Times in NYC](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/uptown-subway-times-in-nyc/id6749167060) | — | Free | Navigation |
| [Ride Report NYC](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ride-report-nyc/id6759840576) | — | Free | Navigation |

## Related topics

[mtro nyc](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/mtro-nyc)

---

*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 2026-10-18.*