MTA issues app challenge

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (NY) is challenging developers to create new software applications that improve the transit experience of its 8.5 million daily riders. A panel of judges will evaluate the apps and select the winners; in addition, a public vote will determine two popular-choice winners. Developers will have access to more than a dozen datasets including General Transit Feed Specification schedule data, current service status, elevator/escalator status, and turnstile data. MTA App Quest will award $15,000 in cash prizes and MTA paraphernalia (like a five-foot custom-made subway sign, sterling silver token cufflinks, and the ever-popular MTA flip-flops). And if that were not enough, everyone submitting eligible applications will be invited to a behind-the-scenes tour of Grand Central Terminal. Applications will be accepted from July 11 through September 26; winners will be announced on November 1.

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