Just in time for the summer rush, the mindlabs of Umlatte deliver a useful web-based phone application for tourists and Philadelphians. iSepta, a quick and easy tool to determine train times and routes, is one of the best we’ve seen for navigating Philadelphia’s subway and regional rail. While it’s been developed for the iPhone, it works with just about any PDA or Blackberry. We use the city’s public transit often and this on-the-go guide is really well done.

Per their website, the developers discuss their mission: “Our number one goal was to make it as simple and intuitive as possible. Although SEPTA’s presentation of schedules works great on paper pamphlets, it leaves something to be desired on mobile devices…” Be sure to check out iSepta if your visiting the Philadelphia area, or live there and need a to get around more efficiently. Click Read More for additional information and photos.

The photo above shows the old schedule on the left versus the iSepta interface on the right

Use iSepta by visiting the site on your iPhone

/// Features on iSEPTA

Start / Stop: Catching the next train is as easy as choosing your start and stop stations, which will return information for the next 5 trains.

Recent Trips: Your five most recent trips you have planned will now show up on the home screen along with the next three trains for each trip.

Route Numbers: The appropriate route number is now displayed with each train

Text message support: Simply text “iseptanow start station name to stop station name” to 41411 and receive the next 3 trains. For example, typing “iseptanow market to doylestown” will return the next 3 trains from Market East Station to Doylestown. You only have to type enough of the start and end stations to make it unique, so “iseptanow mark to doy” will also work.

/// Related Links from around the web

Philadelphia City Paper on iSepta
Phillyist on iSepta
TUAW on iSepta