# Empire Express vs High Valley Transit

The clearest difference is update cadence: High Valley Transit at every 2 weeks against Empire Express's every 22 months. High Valley Transit also leads on ratings volume (1.2K vs 41). Empire Express's advantage is iOS requirement (13.4 vs 15.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

High Valley Transit holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: High Valley Transit has 1.2K ratings behind it against 41, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 33% of Empire Express's written reviews are positive against 37% of High Valley Transit's.

Empire Express ships an update every 22 months, High Valley Transit every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Empire Express | High Valley Transit |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (41 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/empire-express/id1322527679/reviews) | **[4.7 (1.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/high-valley-transit/id1561613201/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 41 | **1.2K** |
| Positive reviews | 33.3% of reviews | **36.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 22 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 41 MB | 131 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.4** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Downtowner App, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/935767678) | [Via Transportation, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/657777018) |

## What reviewers say

### Empire Express

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/empire-express/id1322527679)

This app provides on-demand rides for authorized users and their guests. It is exclusively for Empire Pass owners, ensuring a secure and convenient transportation service. Request a ride easily through the application.

**Highlights:** On-demand ride requests, Guest ride access, Exclusive service for Empire Pass owners, Secure transportation

**In-app purchases:** none


### High Valley Transit

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/high-valley-transit/id1561613201)

Plan your journeys and book on-demand rides with this public transit app. Get real-time bus schedules, track your vehicle, and find the most efficient routes. All rides are completely free.

**Highlights:** Book on-demand rides, Check bus schedules, Track vehicle location, Plan multi-leg journeys, Find efficient routes, Wheelchair accessible vehicles

**Features:** Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Convenient and free service
- 🚗 Innovative short distance local transport
- 👍 Friendly and helpful drivers
- 🚕 Great for local commute

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Unreliable app and service
- ⏱️ Long wait times and delays
- 🚗 Inconsistent pickup/drop-off locations
- 🚗 Unsafe driving by some drivers
- 🚗 Overcrowded vehicles

**Reported bugs**

- App issues causing missed rides
- Incorrect route and schedule information
- Continuous loop between app and website

**Requested features**

- Improve app user experience and reliability
- Expand service area and routes
- Add more vehicles and drivers to meet demand
- Improve winter operations and snow tires


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Empire Express free?

Empire Express is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is High Valley Transit free?

High Valley Transit is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Empire Express or High Valley Transit?

High Valley Transit is rated higher. Empire Express averages 4.5 out of 5 from 41 ratings, while High Valley Transit averages 4.7 from 1.2K ratings.

### Do Empire Express or High Valley Transit have ads?

Neither Empire Express nor High Valley Transit shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Empire Express or High Valley Transit?

Empire Express ships an update every 22 months, and High Valley Transit every 2 weeks. Most recently, Empire Express was updated on October 24, 2026 and High Valley Transit on October 24, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*