New Amtrak iPhone App

Last month (August 3rd to be exact) Amtrak released it's first iPhone app. In one month's time it's received 92 reviews, many of them highly favorable. Many of the reviews praise this free app for its ease of use and also the ability to update the user's iPhone calendar. Others criticize the app's propensity to crash. I can say that I have experienced only one crash in the many times that I have used this app, but I can honestly say that I absolutely love it. I have made reservations up until 12 hours before departure with no problems.
Here is a list of many of the great things I love about the app.

1. The look and GUI (graphical user interface) is great. Easy to use the first time.
2. The ability to save (or bookmark) multiple stations.
3. Instant confirmation with the ability to create a calendar reminder.
4. Station information for all domestic stations
5. Easy integration with Amtrak California.

Although I think this is a great step by Amtrak here are some fixes that I believe would be helpful in subsequent releases.

1. Saved payment data option. User has to re-enter payment information each time.
2. Some users have complained about the time zone issue, but I have only used in Pacific Daylight Time so far and haven't had any issues.
3. Not easily integrated with Amtrak's reward program.
4. Not easily integrated with Amtrak's discount program.
5. The "Rewards" and "Discounts" badges (since they are not used as frequently) take up valuable screen real estate at the top of the screen.
6. Integration with Amtrak's or Amtrak California's Twitter accounts would be great.
7. It would be nice if the train status section was live or interactive using GPS. Train status seems to be just reformatting the train schedules.
8. A U.S. route map.
9. A section similar to station descriptions that would describe onboard bicycle policy and also a section (or a link) describing bedroom accommodations.

It would be great to have a paperless check in system so I didn't have to insert my credit card into their station kiosk but this is a minor detail in a great app/system. Given all of the federal security issues (IDs and ticket signing) that are counter to customer convenience I still think they've done a great job.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone