Filipino Commuters Get Real-Time Train Tracking with New App

MANILA, Philippines — Like many commuters in Metro Manila, 28-year-old software engineer and Cavite resident RJ Crusem grew accustomed to waiting at train stations with no idea how long it would be before the train arrives. Additionally, unexpected glitches in railway operations would cost passengers time for work and other personal activities. To turn this frustration of waiting into a solution, Crusem developed TrainSight, a public commuting visibility platform that tracks the operations of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT). It uses multiple source inputs, including user devices and a hardware tracker to be installed on the train sets, he said. “I had a thought if it was possible for passengers to know exactly where their trains are or if they are moving. I also drew inspiration from FlightRadar24, which monitors the arrival times of planes,” Crusem said. TrainSight aims to provide commuters with better information before entering or waiting at the train stations. It can currently support LRT-1, LRT-2 and MRT-3 train lines, with a provision for MRT-7. Crusem said his team is currently in talks with relevant agencies to support the launch of the application. “Our focus right now is to deliver a stable product, gather real user feedback and continue improving the platform after launch,” he said. Beyond convenience for commuters, Crusem said TrainSight could promote greater transparency and accountability in public transportation. “Operators will see the actual movement of their units on the ground. This could help them to respond faster to technical problems,” he said. Crusem hopes to expand the platform services beyond rail transit by developing tracking capabilities in road-based public transportation, including public utility buses. Trainsight will launch in Google Play Store in August and in Apple Store between September and October this year.