Avoid overcrowded subways with Pigeon

Traffic congestion can suck the joy out of your daily commutes. The brunt of it is usually experienced by those who rely on public transportation to get to their destinations. Drivers of vehicles have Waze, a GPS navigation app with turn by turn directions that can help. In addition to this, the app can also notify users of obstacles, accidents, detours and other hazards along their specified routes.

Commuters, now have Pigeon. It’s a crowd sourced transit app that notifies users of delays, crowd build up at stations, unexpected incidents along their planned route, power outages, escalator outages and dirty or unsafe conditions. The app sends this information via notifications to users’ smartphones, even before they step out of their homes.

Photo Credit: Google

Photo Credit: Google

Unlike most transit information systems, Pigeon is able to add context to delays, which allows commuters to plan their route around said problems. In addition to this, the app’s reporting feature enables riders to post information on their delays, comments and images. These reports are then displayed on a map, along a rider’s chosen route and in a shared activity feed.

More than just a transit app, Pigeon can also serve as a community based social media channel. It allows users to commiserate over shared experiences like travelling in an overcrowded train, funny pet images as well as live performances by local entertainers. It aims to be an all inclusive app that promotes a sense of camaraderie between riders on their daily commutes.

Laura Rokita, co-founder of the app worked closely with Google’s Area 120 team to provide the public with a transit app that is not only informative, but reliable as well. It was initially launched in New York in September last year, but has now expanded its reach to include Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington D.C.

The app is available for iOS users for now, but Android support will be coming soon. Users can check its availability here.

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