There isn't a way to indicate what time you will depart, or what time you need to arrive. Sometimes several time options come up, sometimes only a couple of options. (i.e., When I check CTA's website vs. the app, there are trains times missing.) It doesn't indicate Express trains. It doesn't work well when you are moving. Imagine: you're meeting friends in the city. They called to indicate they weren't at the hotel (where you originally planned to meet them), but are in fact still shopping and want you to meet them at the store. So you try to re-route and figure out at what stop you need to disembark. All this while in transit on the "El", it won't be able to determine your position while you are in motion and then you go underground and have no signal. It's a great idea, but just better determine your route before you leave and stick to your original plans! If I had to do it over again, I wouldn't have bought the app.

This review uses another Chicago-area product by iTrans as a basepoint for comparison. Essentially, I was expecting the same functionality when I bought this product, but with a different system (CTA versus Metra). This is not the case. I hope the developers will beef it up to match or exceed that of their other products. Then it could be a 5* application.

I give the developers credit; working with the CTA is a hassle. If one is familiar with the stops and, more generally the different lines, it works well. Do not expect it to function as a trip planner, but I didn't feel it was sold that way. It is a good start but needs refinement: maybe an overlap of streets, if not a full street map. Also, there is no way to enter an address and find the closest stop at one's destination. One must have a basic understanding of the EL to appreciate this app. Without that understanding it is moderately useless. Don't expect it to help a user find a route to any attraction without knowing that attraction's nearest stop. Good stuff for locals though!

I used this application for two weeks and thought it was great and then all of a sudden the application quit working. I uninstalled and reinstalled the application with the same results. The stops no longer show upcoming trains but indicates that they are out of service try again later. Disappointing. Refund please.

The CTA map needs to be overlayed with a street map. If you are not an EL pro, you'll have no idea where stops actually are in regards to the street. You can get directions, but it uses google maps. This makes the "without Internet" claim not true. It's a very lazy and skimpy application. Nothing about it makes me want to use it. It is NOT worth $5, unless they make some major upgrades.

for the price it should have CTa bus tracker and routing info.

Very handy app to have when trying to get around Chicago.

10/2/08

This is good as just a simple "El" map. More detail would be better. Not sure it should be $4.99. Can get a paper map for cheaper and do same thing. Helpful but needs more directions and detail. Don't expect it to do anything too special.

I thought this included the bus tracker and train directions. For $4.99, it is worthless. Better to spend under $2 for the CTA tracker & CTA route than buy this app---a real dud!

It has not been updated with new times after Jan1. It says no service for everything.

A decent app, but it offers very limited functionality. No buses and only basic info about trains. The zoom animation is very sluggish as well.

This app will really help you get around on the CTA. Keep up the great work!

The CTA train is never on time around the loop, so this program is so what useful.

I use this and the metra app daily. I'm getting dissapointed with the lagging updates, however. Please update to keep this app my favorite and most worn out.

It's a map with built in search and a locator function. Simple, but effective. I like it. Well done.

Their system map is actually cleaner, better designed and easier to read than the CTA's official map.

It would be nice if this app could get you from a certain location in the city to the closest L stop

This app is a one trick pony. It is a simple map. If you are using the cta there are maps on the train. The train times are useless, as trains run usually on time intervals ( i.e. Every 7 mins). This is not worth $2. If you are a tourist, just get a real guide book and if you live in Chicago, this is useless.

Downloaded this today and used while maneuvering around the city tonight. It is very simple and easy to use. I found it perfect for a newbie to Chicago public transportation like myself. I can see more experienced El riders finding nothing new or worthwhile in this version for them. I'd love to see some options for attractions, shops or restaurants near each stop with some street directions as well. For what the App. does offer, I think it was worth the $1.99 that I paid.

I was excited about this app hoping it would be for ALL the CTA, but its for EL trains only. It's a bit overpriced, and I have buyers remorse. I'll rewrite my rating in the future with more stars if they add a BUS TRACKER!

Very helpful app, especially for being able to view the maps and schedules while offline (since the red and blue lines are often without signal underground). I also wish that the app would show scheduling in a manner similar to the iTrans Metra app, but I realize that with the CTA being late enough sometimes that a train takes the place of the next one on the schedule that this might be impossible. It's had a big price drop since I bought it at $5, but it was worth it even then. Improvements could only help it be even more useful!

Does not even show the city streets, this is just the same map that is in all the trains. Save your $2.

Did not show construction on the tracks. Did not show away around the on going construction. Does not allow you to put in cross streets to get from one location to another.

I use iTrans CTA often, and so far it has been a great app. However, I see that the Metra version shows times of arrival (to each station along the route) and this version doesn't. There is also no way to change the current start time while looking for directions. I