When it works it’s great but 50% of time it won’t open
The user experience is great when it works. But 5 out of 10 times it won’t pass the opening animation. I have tried killing all other apps, rebooting the phone and reinstalling when this happened and it took a good amount of time to get it to work again. Imagine you have to do this when the conductor is checking ticket. Embarrassing and frustrating. Unfortunately my commuter credit card doesn’t work on Caltrain vending machine but works in this app so I am stuck with this app.
Update: since my last review, the app started working most of the time and it’s a big help when it works. But recently I can no longer get the real time update for the mountain view station. Wonder why. ——-previous review Just downloaded the app yesterday and it worked when I tested at home. But I wasn’t able to use at the station. Kept on getting error messages of not being able to reach server and it asked to check internet connection. It looks like the app doesn’t work with cellular data. Not sure why. Such a frustrating experience. Almost late for the train yesterday. I was able to replicate the error at home by turning off wifi. All other apps works with cellular data and I checked setting to make sure this app is set to work with cellular data. Not sure what to do now. Please help.
The app is great for buying tickets online so you don’t have to deal w the hassle of the ticket booth at a station! It takes 30 seconds while you’re standing and waiting for the train. It also conveniently links the timetable and other tools. And parking is super easy to do on the app! The only thing is that I wish the live updates were better. But otherwise definitely worth downloading even if you only ride the Caltrain once.
So far this is a very difficult app to work with. Just registering, it kept on refusing to recognize my email address. After clearing the two fields two or three times and inputting the email address very carefully it decided that it was a valid email address after all. Looking for a round-trip ticket from Redwood City to Millbrae I am given the option of one way regular fare or a day pass which costs more than twice as much. Are there no round-trip tickets? In addition, if I had not read the reviews and complaints and the instructions in detail I would not have realized that you have to purchase your ticket just before boarding. Why? This is a very strange application and I’ve only been using it for a few minutes.
** Update to previous- I contacted app support and they responded in only a few hours. All I needed to do was Sign Out and sign back in and everything works. Updating my rating to 5 stars for the app and the developer support. 😊 Previous review - When I buy a 4-zone day pass, it immediately disappears and is not shown in the stored tickets area. I end up having to show my receipt email to the attendant to be able to ride.
This is a much nicer designed app than the previous ones I’ve used. However, what is the point of a Caltrain app if I can’t use it with my clipper card and can’t buy tickets in advance? I’ve used public transit apps all over the world and the majority of them have the ability to buy a ticket for a certain time. Having an app that doesn’t allow you to plan ahead (especially when it has wallet functionality) makes little sense. Please add clipper card functionality and the ability to buy tickets ahead of time.
I downloaded the app and read the FAQ before I made my purchase. However, the FAQs do not correctly reflect how the tickets work. According to the FAQs, the tickets are activated when users actively select and choose to USE the tickets. In reality, the tickets are activated at time of purchase, which not only cost me money on tickets I purchased in advance (but could not used because they expired) but also did not allow for any advance planning/ticket purchase. The refund page for Mobile Ticket issues also did not work at all (could not proceed through the survey process with the page kept on indicating that I missed the required field while I clearly did not).
I’m a daily commuter so I usually have my clipper card in my badge holder since I have the monthly pass. Since I’m very forgetful, I don’t always have my badge with me. Like a lot of normal humans, I’m usually running late. If I don’t have my badge and I realize it while I’m running to catch the train, I usually check with the conductor as I’m running in if I can buy my ticket once I’m onboard. They’re so nice about it. They just want to make sure I get onboard first and then I’ll buy my ticket from my phone. The app takes Apple Pay too! My one piece of feedback is that I wish the Caltrain App had the capabilities of Trip Planner for Caltrain app. It’s sooo convenient and if the Caltrain App had this capability, I would absolutely pay for it.
The app simply can’t connect to network - doesn’t work
This app almost got me in trouble. The app is no longer able to connect to the network or it’s servers from my phone. I checked several other apps & websites and everything seems to be working fine - on both Wi-Fi & cellular. After I first time opened & purchased my ticket & parking thru the app, it refused to work again. No matter how many times I kill the app, or reinstall it, the Caltrain app is not going beyond the opening animation of the moving train. It finally displays an error & times out. I was asked to show my proof of ridership & this app refused to open!!
Just like the electrification overhaul, the app could use one too. 1. A better parking map for each station 2. The option to save my station preferences since I’m logged in (Caltrain should gather data anonymously to see how many people use the same stations every day) 3. The live map can optionally ask for my location so that I can see which train I’m in and track stations in real time. 4. Modernize it and make it more user friendly. C’mon, you’re in Silicon Valley!
App won’t load past initial screen. I just get an error message that says to delete the app and reinstall. Did that (and restarted phone for good measure) and nothing changed, still can’t access the app. Worked great last time I used it a little over a month ago. Looks like there is a major bug issue that was introduced about a month ago which is when the “can’t access” reviews started showing up. The question is why in the world Caltrain hasn’t done something to fix it by now. Caltrain/Samtrans - is anyone out there?
I’ve been using the app for a couple of years now. I’ve never had any issues with it. I am visually impaired and I use voiceover on my phone and the app has always been compatible with the screen reader. Thank you to the developer for keeping the app well-maintained, stable, and accessible to all.
Not sure what some other reviews are saying- this app is super easy to use as long as you are fully connected to it. Super easy to purchase tickets to exactly where you’re looking to go! It’s very similar to other train/subway apps in the sense that once you have it downloaded and know where you’re going...it makes your trip easier.
Simple installation, easy to buy a ticket. “buy it again“ feature makes buying ticket even easier; “from origin to destination” feature makes buying successful at anywhere. Had tiny confusion setting password and fingerprint for credit card, but got it when started buying first ticket.
I am a frequent Caltrain rider and recently I have been 100% unable to use the app in any capacity. Whenever I open the app, I just see the animated loading screen no matter how long I wait for the app to load. I’ve tried just about everything I can think of to make the app load and it just does not work. I’ve been on wifi, off wifi, I’ve deleted the app and reinstalled it, restarted my phone and app more times than I can count, and I’m using the most recent version. It’s been like this for more than a month.
As a random commuter I find the app to be a great tool for buying tickets as needed. I look forward to the app improving as I seem to be a early user. The app has room to grow. The scheduling component could improve and not be tied to the mobile address. Also a alert of train location to GPS would be good.
I really like the app it’s easy and I can forget loading my clipper card. The ticket history makes it easy to rebuy what I need without having to scroll through stations. I’ve only been double charged twice due to connection/app malfunction but they quickly issued a refund. Their customer service is great!
After using this app and losing $6 and possibly $12 (which I apparently can’t get back), I’m convinced Caltrain is a scam. I’m visiting from out of town and need a ticket for today to visit a friend in the city. I read all of the FAQs on the app and watched the videos on the Caltrain website, but nowhere did it indicate that you have to buy tickets within 4 hours of using them, no more. I now have a ticket that expires at 1pm and can’t buy a return ticket until I’m at the train station on my way back. So inconvenient and a waste of money. I’d rather rent a car and drive downtown!
I’ve been a daily Caltrain commuter for the past 10 years, and it still boggles my mind that a Whole Foods or Walgreens can activate a monthly pass immediately, but Caltrain itself offers no way for someone to purchase or renew a monthly pass that’s immediately active. It creates such an annoying hassle for monthly commuters, and makes no sense that they don’t offer a solution. This is Silicon Valley - let’s figure this out.
I take the train down to San Jose from Millbrae everyday. The app makes it really to buy tickets and passes as well as provide links to the schedule. Whether you’re a tourist or a regular traveler this app is very easy and useful to use.
I couldn’t believe that of all places, passengers in Silicon Valley would need to line up in front of vending machines to purchase a train ticket. Thank you for making that a thing of the past. Of course CalTrain is still decades behind the level of service that you get in some European countries (not to mention Japan), see for example the SBB app from the Swiss railways.
The Caltrain Mobile app talks all about how you can buy tickets digitally and yet there’s nowhere to buy tickets on the app. There used to be, however the last few times I’ve used Caltrain I checked the app and cannot find anywhere to buy tickets even though it still talks about being able to buy them digitally. What happened?
Update: it was fixed. Thank you! It takes 5 to 10 app opening attempts (with force close) for the app to get past the initial splash screen to even be able to purchase tickets, rendering it completely useless. Please fix this.
After reading some reviews I waited until I was in the parking lot of the Caltrain station to purchase my tickets and parking pass. The App never loads. Stays on the first loading screen. I ended up purchasing paper tickets inside. I tried multiple times to load the App, while waiting for the train, on the train, at my destination, etc. It is a good thing I didn’t buy my tickets on the App! I wouldn’t have been able to show proof when boarding.
I don’t usually write reviews but the quality of this application, combined with the gravity of the need I had in this moment, moved me to speak up. This app transcends all expectations that one might have given the quality of their website. 10/10 would recommend 🚝👌🏾
While traveling from San Francisco to Mountain View for work one fine morning, I opened the app for purchasing a day pass and sadly the app didn’t load for 15mins and eventually crashed. I tried this again the next day and same app crash. I hope something can be done about this problem, occurs specially during commuting hours in the morning and evening. I’m not going to use this app anymore for my Caltrain ticket needs.
App used to work great but now it often has issues connecting when not on Wi-Fi, which is basically every time you want to buy a train or parking ticket considering there is no Wi-Fi available at stations or on the train. Restarting my phone used to work to “fix” this connection issue but now that doesn’t work anymore. Basically plan extra time in case the app doesn’t connect so you have time to buy a paper ticket.
Should provide an option for guest checkout if CalTrain would like to use this as faster than using their machines. Simply will not work. I cannot get passed the login stage. I’ve created an account and reset the password several times. Continues to say something is wrong.
This app is looking good. It’s nice to see live departure times. What about estimated arrival to destination and length of trip to destination just like on the paper schedule? Can Clipper Cards connect with this in the future? Hope that’s in development... thanks for efforts of improving this app.
I was very excited to get this app because it says it can accept debit cards (whereas ticket machines can only take credit cards) and I use a debit card to make purchases with my transit FSA I created through my employer. I have a monthly pass, so I buy zone upgrade tickets when I go beyond my regular zones. But unfortunately, the app doesn’t allow you to buy zone upgrade tickets! :( It’d be great to see this ability in a future release.
Can’t purchase a ticket if you’re in the same zone
Recently, if purchasing a ticket within the zone you’re departing from, the app won’t allow you to choose a stop within the same zone. Other than that, this app is a must have!
I was not the only one - and we both had to go the kiosk to buy parking ticket. CalTrain should see if they have peak hour problems . If the product list is static ( I.e. parking/tickets) they should move to a bottom tab ( like trip tools) - minimizing clicks and interaction with server. Instead of banner - it should land directly on next page with bottom tabs static list .
It works smoothly, integrated with Apple pay, choose where you going from and where to, and your are done. I don't use the train very often, so this app saves me time in purchasing a ticket from the machine. Well done.
So I’ve download and uninstalled and redownloaded this app about 3 times now and every time I try and open it all that happens is I see the starting page “powered by Moovel” and the outline of a train moving in the back…for minutes and more minutes and then I give up. Tried clicking on it, scrolling up and then going back to it, everything k can think of and a lot more than one should have to do.
I don’t understand how anyone can give this app anything less than a five star rating. Super easy to use, convenient, great interface. I lost my wallet and I only had this app to buy a ticket I was in and out in under 30 seconds.
When's the next train, how many fare zones between me and my destination, how much will my ticket cost? Good luck trying to get get answers to any of those common questions. It's hard to fathom why the app was designed to be so user unfriendly or if any end user testing was conducted at all. I miss the CaltrainMe app so much. It had quick access to useful information in an intuitive interface. Basically, the opposite of this.
no matter how many times i download it or reset my network settings the app refuses to move past the splash screen rendering it completely useless and disabled. Extremely frustrating when i’m running late and don’t have time to tag on with my card. This app is suppose to allow me to purchase tickets ahead of my arrival so i can just head straight into the train. The APP IS USELESS!!!!!!
So helpful to be able to buy a ticket on the train. Thank you for developing this long-awaited feature! One thing I might suggest is advertising it more, so people are aware. Thanks again
I really enjoy having the app, just needs to be a little bit smarter on location and history to make a smoother buying experience- keep up the good work. Also, it would be nice if it passed on the same rates as the clipper cards. I’d be happy to load credit on my account if that helped...?
app refuses to start - and link to App Support says page not found
Not sure who the developer is, bu whereas the app used to work on my iPhone it does not work now. Never gets out of the login screen - then says to delete and reinstall. Three tries later and no start. And the app’s link for support here in the Apple Store takes you to CalTrain “page not found”. Come in CalTrain - you can and should keep this up!
I was using this to pay for parking over the last month and it worked well. I have tried to use the app last Thursday 5/26 and today 6/31, I get the loading screen but nothing loads and occasionally an error message.
I tried to buy a day pass for tomorrow. I now have a day pass for today, which is worthless, and no real support option. It's not worth calling or whatever, but if you're going to transact in the app, you need problem resolution. Wrote to Caltrain from my laptop. Will maybe update review if that gets resolved, but the app process is still bad. There's a contact button, but it expects "Mail" to be installed
App fails to make it past the loading screen, ends up with a message saying that it can’t load and to delete and reinstall the app. Tried that along with reboots and iOS updates and still no joy. Looks like this has been a recurring and or ongoing problem for quite a while, surprised that it hasn’t been fixed yet.
It’s cool I can buy a single day ticket and all but this doesn’t help day to day commuters. Trip planning tools just dumps you to the website which isn’t easy to read on mobile. Why can’t I pay for parking with this either? This app won’t replace anything for me yet. CaltrainMe is way easier for quick trip info which I need daily.
Its a great app to have when you don’t frequently commute on public transit to warrant a clipper card. The only issue that I have is that it is hard to use the app to figure out the schedule for the trains if you’re not used to it.
I use this app very conveniently for purchasing day tickets. The only downside is that it does not allow for parking purchase. So I still need to stop by the ticketing machine which is a bummer. When that feature is coming?
The schedule interface is hard to use on a phone, and the map button just takes you to the (not-mobile-enabled) web page! There are zillions of transit apps that have this figured out, and also let you buy tickets on advance for future use (NJ Transit is one example).
Was really hoping for a better live map and schedule than the website (where the live map is usually missing entire trains, and the schedule is impossible to read on a phone). But alas, the app literally just takes you to the website!!!!
The official mobile ticketing app from Caltrain! The Caltrain Mobile app lets you purchase and use fares instantly on your phone—anywhere, anytime. Just download the free app, register your debit/credit card or PayPal account in our secure system, and you're ready to go. WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS APP: - No paper fares to keep track of. - No need to carry cash, count exact change, or find a ticket machine. - Buy and use fares instantly using a debit/credit card or your PayPal account. - Pay a single fare or multiple fares for a group of riders. HOW IT WORKS: 1. CHOOSE RIDER TYPE 2. CHOOSE YOUR STATION OF ORIGIN AND DESTINATION 2. CHOOSE FARE 3. CHOOSE QUANTITY 4. CHOOSE PAYMENT 5. CHECK OUT COMMON QUESTIONS: Q: Do I need to be connected to the Internet? A: Cellular network or a wireless Internet connection is required to purchase tickets, but you can use your activated tickets offline. Q: What if my battery dies? A: Just like with paper tickets, you're responsible for making sure you have a valid fare at all times, so be sure to plan ahead! IMPORTANT REMINDERS: - Don't uninstall the Caltrain Mobile app or erase your phone while you have active tickets on it. Your tickets are stored on your phone (which makes it possible to use them without a cellular network or a wireless Internet connection), so uninstalling the app can permanently erase your tickets! - Purchase your ticket right before boarding. - Show your ticket to the conductor upon request. - Watch your battery level! Just like with paper tickets, you're responsible for making sure you have a valid fare at all times.
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