Anyone in the Portland area who uses #TriMet care to Test Flight my app? It’s a re-write of the currently shipping version of PDX Transit however it is now 100% SwiftUI and uses Swift Data and Swift Concurrency — includes App Shortcuts, Widgets, & a SwiftUI version of PDX Transit for Apple Watch. Also has fun things like on device translations for service alerts and look around in Maps. Unlike the previous version, it has an iPad optimized layout too.
#pdxtransit #portland #publictransit

I had to get CREATIVE on getting the sub sequence of transit stops for a Leg from when you’re supposed to board and then exit.

I ended up adding the large size widget for the single transit stop widget which links you to its service alerts in the app. I’m happy with these.

I learned a lot about using #WidgetKit these past 8 days. I created two types of Widgets for #PDXTransit based on the bookmarks you save in the app Still tweaking the UI though but you get the idea.

Not quite done yet but this Widget with your bookmarked transit stops for #Trimet is feeling more and more real! It works too!

I’m always very thankful for our excellent #TriMet + Hop card system (instant reload! automatic day passes!) but especially so when I go back to the Bay and have to deal with the chaotic mess of everything (Caltrain, BART, Muni, SamTrans, VTA… but nothing is automated to save you money) + crappy Clipper card system

I just called customer service to get a $20 refund via A CHECK IN THE MAIL because reloading took MULTIPLE DAYS and required “picking up” = physically tagging your card. It’s 2025!

Got a bit more feedback… really enjoying the look of this so far.

My app, #PDXTransit, turns 10 years old this year this August. I wrote it when I moved to Portland back in 2015.

Well, this year for its 10th birthday, I plan to release a complete re-write using the latest technologies from Apple including an iPad-specific user experience.

Here's a sneak peek at what I've been working on the past few years with #SwiftUI, #SwiftConcurrency, and #SwiftData!!!

(and of course it comes with a re-write of its companion app for Apple Watch!)

#TriMet's max-track-specific snowplow #Portland

This is SO COOL and SO VALUABLE.

I’m using the Translate API now in PDX Transit to let users be able to translate #Trimet Service Alerts into their language. By default, it offers from the languages they’ve added to their device in Settings. For me, it offered Spanish.

It uses local ML Models to translate upon pressing the Translate button. Check it out!

#Portland is basically the reason #Siemens is even a relevant company in the US. First generation of light rail vehicles in Portland? A proven Belgian design built by Bombardier in Canada.

Then the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Buy American act came in, at the same time Portland wasn't willing to join the sane side of the world by solving this with all the heavy shit under the floor and raising the platforms like sensible people.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/_QGgIrmbxsk

Adding Look Around really does add a lot of value to #PDXTransit. It’s not always available but for the majority of the time it is and it’s especially nice when the default camera position is facing the transit stop head-on!

Instead of a button toggle, I think I’ve landed on probably the cleanest solution for Look Around’s previewer. Using a TabView with the “page” style modifier so users can swipe left/right between that and arrival times.

I may need to use TipKit to provide an initial hint that this is swipe-able since the “dot” indicators at the bottom are a tad bit difficult to see.

I've updated the UI for Look Around with a Preview first before launching into Look Around.

I'm thinking I like this better and makes the Arrivals view feel more immersive. I might get rid of the segmented control and have a button in the titlebar of the floating card with an on/off state instead.

Tapping on the preview image launches the user into full screen Look Around.

I've added MapKit's Look Around feature to #PDXTransit's #SwiftUI re-write. Funny how much this simple API can add a lot of value to the app!

I finally found a reason to use my scrolling marquee that I made for Music Widget, QuickTune, etc. etc. for an iOS app...

My PDX Transit SwiftUI re-write!!! Check it out:

(still a work in progress but you get the idea!)

This tracks. Half of Portland's afraid of its own shadow and won't take transit because it's "beneath them" and the other half has 18 roommates, works two jobs and can barely afford a monthly Trimet pass after food, rent and utilities.

Though also knowing Portland, it wouldn't surprise me if "other riders behavior" includes "existing while black" and "speaking Spanish".

https://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/2024/10/roughly-half-of-trimet-riders-feel-unsafe-82-say-other-riders-behavior-is-the-reason-why.html