Amtrak
Last updated on 15 February 2012. Originally submitted by Michael Hansen on 27 November 2011.
Posted in:
Description of App
Experience a whole new way to take the train with Amtrak. Get simple and intuitive access to all the travel information you need, book your trip on the go, and stay up-to-date as trains arrive. Do it all without the hassle of your laptop, making calls or extra trips to the office.
With the Amtrak mobile application you can:
- Plan and book travel
- Modify reservations
- Review your upcoming trips
- Check train status and view schedules
- Search stations for location, building amenities and hours of operation
- Connect to your Amtrak Guest Rewards account
- Enjoy Amtrak Passport: check in, collect stamps and reach milestones
Version
1.0.3
Free or Paid
Free
Compatibility
This is a native iPhone and iPod Touch app that is displayed in 2x mode on an iPad
Device(s) App Was Tested On
iPhone 4S
Accessibility Comments
When checking train status, the date selection field is inaccessible with VoiceOver. From what I can tell, a sort of calendar is displayed, but I am unable to select the correct arrival date of the train.
VoiceOver Performance
VoiceOver reads most page elements.
Button Labelling
Most buttons are clearly labelled.
Usability
Some parts of the app are accessible with VoiceOver, but not enough to make it usable.
User Options
0 AppleVis user(s) have recommended this app for VoiceOver users.
2 AppleVis user(s) have reported that they have contacted the developer about accessibility issues with this app.
Comments
#1 Agree with initial findings
I agree with the initial reviewer's findings. There are certainly portions of the app that are useable. However, because so much of travel planning and train checking depends on submiting date information, the app grinds to a halt as a blind person cannot select dates from the application. I have submited comments on the general Amtrak online comment form, but have received no substantive response. I just spoke with a reservation agent to try to get some help. She submited an email to their tech department on my behalf through her system but had no external email address that she could give me. She gave me a corporate number in Washington D.C. that she encourages me to try. If I meet with any kind of success or problems, I'll post more on this and share the number with Applevis users.
#2 More on contact with Amtrak
The D.C. number mentioned in a previous comment rang through to someone's voicemail who didn't identify themselves as directly working for Amtrak. I did leave a message just to see what happens. I also submited another contact form on Amtrak.com and the contents of my message is below:
Dear Amtrak, I am writing to comment on the iPhone app that Amtrak has been heavily advertising for the last several months or so. Of course, to have the power of Amtrak at your fingertips, wherever you go is just fantastic. However, this power is not being extended to blind travelers on Amtrak. Many blind people today are availing themselves of Apple's iOS devices because of their built-in screen reading technologies. However, the Amtrak iPhone app only works part of the way with Apple's screen reading program called Voiceover. One very big problem is that when using Voiceover, a blind user is unable to select dates from the virtual calendar. This means that they are unable to check the status of a future train, book future travel, etc. I would really encourage Amtrak's technical department to do the research necessary to make the appropriate changes in a future update of the iPhone app. One great starting off place for app developers is the web site called applevis.com There, developers can find numerous links to tools and instructions on how they can make new as well as existing apps accessible using Voiceover. Please feel free to contact me with questions or for further assistance. Regards, Chris Foster
#3 2/15/2012: Updated app entry
2/15/2012: Updated app entry to reflect that the app is pretty much unuseable due to the problems with the virtual calendar.
#4 Amtrak's iPhone App's continued lack of accessability
Of late, I have been using Amtrak quite a bit. Whenever I am on hold on the 800 number, I am constantly peppered with voice announcements telling how great the Amtrak app for the iPhone is. Of course, readers on this app entry know that the vertual calendar makes this untrue for blind users. Yesterday/this morning, I got in to a twitter conversation with Amtrak and I thought I'd post it below.
Amtrak: Got an iPhone and want convenient updates about Amtrak? Done. Our iPhone app is free from the app store! http://t.co/2rxIQJgY
Me: again, it is currently not accessible to blind users through VoiceOver. Fix it and I'll scream for joy!
And no need to encourage me to contact customer service. I've tried this numerous times with no success. Time to turn it up a bit.
Amtrak: Thanks for your comments. We have forwarded them to the appropriate department.
Me: Fantastic! Thanks very much for helping out with the process. Let me know if I can be of further assistance.
Currently, I am traveling. However, when I get home, I will contact a couple of people at Amtrak's corporate offices and see what we can accomplish here. We know what we can do with Starbucks, so let's se where this will take us.