Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

CharmPass vs NYC Bus Time App (MTA)

CharmPass 4.9★ · Free to download 70
Winner CharmPass
NYC Bus Time App (MTA) 3.3★ · Free to download 30

CharmPass is the better option for purchasing and managing transit tickets, despite its glitches, while NYC Bus Time App (MTA) struggles with basic functionality and accuracy.

Full reviews: CharmPass · NYC Bus Time App (MTA)

CharmPass offers a convenient way to purchase and use transit tickets, though users report frequent glitches and poor customer support. NYC Bus Time App (MTA) is plagued by issues with accuracy, crashing, and missing essential features like saving favorite routes or providing maps.

Head to head

Features edge: CharmPassR1R9R10R12
CharmPass CharmPass allows users to buy and activate tickets, including discounted student fares, and offers Apple Pay. However, it lacks a dark mode, a trip planner within the app, and senior/disabled fare options for daily passes. Users also report issues with tickets disappearing or being double-charged.
NYC Bus Time App (MTA) NYC Bus Time App provides real-time bus tracking and service alerts. However, it is criticized for missing key features like the ability to save favorite routes, bus maps, transfer information, and comprehensive schedules. Some users also report that new bus routes are not shown.
Ease of Use edge: CharmPassR2R4R8R10
CharmPass Many CharmPass users find it quick, easy, and convenient for buying and using tickets. However, others find the screen design confusing for managing tickets and experience difficulties with the app getting stuck on loading screens, signing them out, or failing to open.
NYC Bus Time App (MTA) NYC Bus Time App is described as simple and easy to use by some, with a clean interface. However, many users find it hard to use, especially on phones, and report frequent crashing, freezing, and issues with the app not working or loading at all.
Reliability edge: CharmPassR3R6R8R15
CharmPass CharmPass is praised for being on time and precise with arrival times by some users, and generally works well. However, it frequently suffers from glitches, internet connection errors, inaccurate bus tracking, tickets expiring prematurely, and issues with passes disappearing or being charged incorrectly.
NYC Bus Time App (MTA) NYC Bus Time App is considered reliable by some for its accurate timing and live updates. However, many users report it is unreliable, with inaccurate timings, phantom buses, schedules not being up-to-date or incorrect, and the app frequently crashing or freezing.
Price/Value edge: CharmPassR9R17R28R32
CharmPass CharmPass is free to download and offers convenience in purchasing tickets, saving users time and money by avoiding physical transactions. Users appreciate student discounts, but note the lack of senior/disabled daily passes.
NYC Bus Time App (MTA) NYC Bus Time App is free to download and provides basic bus tracking. Some users wish for ad removal, but overall it is seen as a simple, free tool for bus times.
Support tieR1R29R53R81
CharmPass CharmPass users report poor support, with no response after accidentally activating a ticket or when tickets disappear. Some users express frustration with the lack of resolution for persistent app issues.
NYC Bus Time App (MTA) Reviews do not provide sufficient information to assess the quality of support for NYC Bus Time App (MTA). One user noted a developer response to an update issue, but this is not indicative of general support.
Pick CharmPass if

Pick CharmPass if you need to conveniently purchase and manage transit tickets on your phone, especially for MARC commuter buses, and are willing to tolerate occasional glitches and potential issues with customer support R2R28.

Pick NYC Bus Time App (MTA) if

Pick NYC Bus Time App (MTA) if you need a very basic, free app primarily for real-time bus tracking and don't require advanced features like saving routes or maps, and are prepared for frequent app malfunctions and inaccuracies .

Evidence note: The evidence for NYC Bus Time App (MTA) is thinner due to fewer reviews, and many of its reviews are complaints about the app not working at all, which makes it difficult to assess features or ease of use when the core functionality is failing.

Frequently asked

Does CharmPass offer discounts for seniors or disabled passengers?
CharmPass does not offer senior/disabled fare options for daily passes, forcing seniors to carry cash, although it does offer student discounts R9R17R34.
Can I save my favorite routes in NYC Bus Time App?
No, many users of the NYC Bus Time App (MTA) complain that it lacks the ability to save favorite bus routes, requiring them to look up routes each time R71R80R88R103.
Are there issues with tickets disappearing in CharmPass?
Yes, several CharmPass users report issues with purchased or saved tickets disappearing from the app, sometimes reappearing temporarily or being completely lost R33R49R53R55.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 118 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R1] CharmPass 1/5 · US Quick to charge card, no support after.: So I downloaded and installed this app for a quick trip to DC. I accidentally clicked the outgoing ticket and it activated it with no way to deactivate it. Call the support number, sent an email, snd no one got back to me. So it seems I would have to buy another ticket. It was only 13 bucks but still, it’s not right. Deleting it from my phone now.
  2. [R9] CharmPass 3/5 · US Disappointed: This app does not offer Senior/Disabled fare option. It only has mobility options for one trip not disabled daily passes so seniors are forced to carry cash in this city…
  3. [R10] CharmPass 1/5 · US Poor screen design: It is too confusing looking at current tickets, stored tickets, past used tickets to quickly get to the ticket you need.
  4. [R12] CharmPass 3/5 · US Trip planner: I wish the trip planner was within the app itself, going to a separate app with different user interface is tedious
  5. [R2] CharmPass 5/5 · US CharmPass: Quick & easy so convenient. I love the MTA!
  6. [R4] CharmPass 1/5 · US Terrible app: There’s an unknown error that’s not letting me access the app.
  7. [R8] CharmPass 5/5 · US The app!!: This is my first time catching the bus in over nine years. My coworkers told me I should download the app. I never knew this app existed. It is so easy to use and always on point with arrival times. It makes catching the bus and the train so much easier. I think I’ll put off buying that new car for a while.😇
  8. [R3] CharmPass 3/5 · US Works 70% of the Time: Overall, it works okay as a way but is love if the MTA could join SmartTrip from WMATA. I’m a MARC commuter. MTA instructs riders to open and activate tickets as the vehicle approaches however there are regular instances when the app doesn’t open and reports an internet connection is not available despite other internet enabled apps being able to be used.
  9. [R6] CharmPass 3/5 · US Convince Tools: This app is a good tool . Yes it has glitches. It should be debug to fix the problem. Tickets are visible and clear with a fun behind screen graphic 😁
  10. [R15] CharmPass 3/5 · US 1 complaint, sorry not sorry: There’s been too many times where I’ll be watching the arriving bus for work(22), and the app will go to 0 minutes and then go back up some minutes. I depend on the accuracy of this app to get me to and from work on time. Given this app is more accurate than my google maps, it’s not perfect yet. I’d appreciate if this issue is fixed pronto.
  11. [R17] CharmPass 5/5 · US So considerate and community forward: Honestly taking the train was always anxiety inducing but now that the Marc has implemented student 50%off tickets I feel much better about train tickets. It’s so helpful as a college student especially in this tough economy! Ty Marc
  12. [R28] CharmPass 5/5 · US Very convenient!: I can buy tickets anywhere on my phone and without pressure of understanding the ticket buying process on an unfamiliar automated ticket issuer. I don’t have to worry about having proper currency in my wallet.
  13. [R32] CharmPass 5/5 · US Life saver!!!: This App saves me time and money!!!
  14. [R29] CharmPass 1/5 · US Annoyed: If you’re unable to fix the problem with the loading screen, pay me and I’ll do it because this bug is absolutely ridiculous
  15. [R53] CharmPass 1/5 · US Steals money: Deletes your tickets as soon as you buy them or your saved tickets disappear. The support is no help and basically says they can’t help and steal your money.
  16. [R81] NYC Bus Time App (MTA) 3/5 · US Need to use update: I was unable to use the app at all, and complained; (yes, I tried deleting and reinstalling, probably 3 times). The developer replied to my complaint that I needed to update, which I did, and the app appears to be working again. Which begs the question: where was this update when I was trying to get the app to work??? So, I would normally give this app a higher rating, but I’m
  17. [R34] CharmPass 4/5 · US Smooth riding: Loving the convenience of the app. Just wondering when there’s going to be a discounted pass for seniors
  18. [R71] NYC Bus Time App (MTA) 5/5 · US Accurate: It’s a great app but it would be nice if you could save favorites.
  19. [R80] NYC Bus Time App (MTA) 5/5 · US Upgrade Feature: This app would be easier to use if favorite bus routes could be more easily selected.
  20. [R88] NYC Bus Time App (MTA) 5/5 · US Nice app: accurate timing, should add a favorite feature so when you open the app you don’t have to scroll for your bus but it’s perfect overall
  21. [R103] NYC Bus Time App (MTA) 2/5 · US Save favorites?: Why can’t u save a few bus routes? New phone and don’t see this option
  22. [R33] CharmPass 1/5 · US Tickets: I lost my tickets and I don’t see history of my purchase.
  23. [R49] CharmPass 1/5 · US Taking away my paid bus pass: I had a 31 day pass that dose not expired into 9/1/2025. I go on my app and it is no longer there. I also had a 7 day pass that I have never opened but it is no longer available when I know for sure I did not use it because I was using the 31 day pass.
  24. [R55] CharmPass 1/5 · US Tickets disappeared-iPhone 16: DC-Union to Balt Penn. 16 tickets with a 2026 expiration date disappeared. App says no stored tickets. But when I bought a new single ticket, the 16 stored tickets suddenly reappeared. But disappeared again within 3 hrs because the same thing has now happened again on return trip.

Synthesized from 118 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store