This summer, the D.C. Metro has been undergoing major construction to fix some safety and maintenance issues. To avoid a complete metro shutdown, it has been decided that the work will occur in “surges.”

With the construction changing almost on a weekly basis, commuting can be a difficult challenge to overcome. We’ve decided to compile a list of apps that will make your life easier as the metro construction continues into March of next year.

Waze:

The free GPS app works on both iPhone and Androids, and according to the app store, prides itself on being “the world’s largest community-based traffic and navigation app.” The crowd-sourced app gives you turn-by-turn instructions, and users of the app are constantly adding to the latest information, including any pulled over vehicles, accidents, traffic stops, police cars. By driving with the app open, it adds to the information. The app updates itself throughout your commute to give you the most efficient route to get you to your final destination.

Go DC Metro:

Even though the SafeTrack surges are difficult to navigate, there’s an app that can help you stay on track, while still using the metro. Go DC Metro is an interactive metro map that allows you to click on any station and see real-time arrival times for the metro. In addition to showing real-time arrivals, the free app also has an alert system that shows real-time delays that are affecting the metro system. These alerts can always be checked by clicking in the lower right corner of the app. However, the app has not been updated to include the silver line.

Metro and Bus:

This free app is updated with information from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMTA) and includes metro and bus routes. If you allow the app to access your location when using it, it will alert you to the nearest bus route to you, the latest information about arrival times, and the scheduled arrival times. The app has alerts in the upper right-hand corner that has traffic alerts that are causing bus delays, allowing you to adjust your commute to best suit you.

Uber:

The app has been making headlines for taking the commuting world by storm. Uber is currently available in 505 cities worldwide, and that number continues to grow. All you have to do is download the app, make an account, and you’ll be ready to go in a matter of minutes! Once you have your account, you set your starting location and click “Request” and then you enter your destination. You’ll even be able to see the route that your driver will be taking to get you there. You’ll see all the info about your driver including a photo, and car model and make, and license plate number so you can ensure that you approach the right vehicle.

Your account is hooked up to your bank account, so there’s no need to worry about cash. If you’re splitting the ride with multiple people who have an Uber account, you can easily click “Split Fare”. One of the best features of the Uber app is that you can let your loved ones know your Estimated Time of Arrival by sending them a text via the app with a link for your trip. Uber has been hailed as being much cheaper than the typical cabs found in most major cities, adding to it’s growing popularity.

Bus Stop DC:

All you have to do is download the free app, and then allow the app to know your location while using it. It finds the nearest Metro Bus stop near you and then tells you the three next times that busses will be arriving at the selected stop. You can bookmark your most used routes, favorite bus stops, and get minute-by-minute updates on the expected arrival time. This app is very useful for when there is a break in the metro line, and you have to find an alternative way to get to the next stop.

See below for the list of upcoming construction.

Surge 6:
August 1 – August 7: Red Line
Stations Affected:  Takoma & Silver Spring
August 6 – August 7: Blue, Orange and Silver Lines
Stations Affected:  Stadium-Armory, Benning Road & Minnesota Ave.
August 8: Yellow
Stations Affected: Pentagon to L’Enfant Plaza
Surge 7:
August 9 – August 18: Red Line
Stations Affected: Rockville
Surge 8:
August 20 – September 5: Blue and Yellow Lines
Stations Affected: Franconia-Springfield & Van Dorn Street
Surge 9:
September 9 – October 20: Orange Line
Stations Affected: Vienna, Dunn Loring & West Falls Church
Surge 10:
October 10 – November 1: Red line
Stations Affected: Brookland & Rhode Island Avenue
Surge 11:
November 3 – November 11: Orange and Silver Lines
Stations Affected: East Falls Church & West Falls Church
Surge 12:
November 12 – December 6: Green Line
Stations Affected:  Greenbelt & College Park

Surge 13:
December 7 – December 24: Blue Line
Stations Affected: Arlington Cemetery

Surge 14:
January 2 – January 13: Blue and Yellow Lines
Stations Affected: King Street & Eisenhower Avenue

January 23 – February 3: Blue and Yellow Lines
Stations Affected: King Street & Eisenhower Avenue

Surge 15:
March 6 – March 19: Orange and Silver Lines
Stations Affected: East Falls Church and West Falls Church

Are there any apps you use on a daily basis when commuting into the District? Let us know in the comments!

Cover Photo Credit: Fine Art America

Written by: Katie Byrnes