From locating your friends at a party to reaching out for help when you’re in a fix, festive-friendly apps that help you stay safe while having a blast
Party apps
For public transport: Transitpedia
The app converges various modes of transport to offer a unified travel solution between two points. It offers all the travel combinations possible between the two locations, right from a map to reach the nearest bus stop or taxi stand to suggesting the bus number to the nearest railway station.
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It can also help you find the right train along with platform number as well as any other mode of transport that you may need to reach your destination.
It gives an approximate cost-analysis for cabs, buses and auto rickshaws. Drawbacks: The last time we checked, some of the train timing were not up to date.
Where to get it: Google Play Store and iTunes store
Cost: Free
Alternatives: M-Indicator
Locate friends and share GPS with family: Glympse
Share your GPS location with friends and family over a period of time. The app stops automatically once the sharing has expired. You can also use it to locate friends and keep your loved ones informed about your location. It’s a great tool for outdoor parties or while travelling to unknown places. (Click here to read more about apps like Glympse)
Drawbacks: It requires you to keep the GPS turned on at all times, hence, a powerbank comes handy.
Where to get it: Google Play Store and iTunes store (also available for Android Wear devices)
Cost: Free
Alternatives: None
For safety: Ziman
The app comes with a built-in alarm trigger, which when activated during an emergency, starts transmitting pictures and videos to Zicom Command Center and response team gets in action by connecting the authorities and the emergency services. You pay R499 a year to activate this service. Just make sure you keep the GPS on. You can also use the app for free. However, the free version will only message your location to your friends and family.
Drawbacks: There’s no guarantee on responses from authorities.
Where to get it: Google Play Store
Cost: Free
Alternatives: Eyewatch
To locate party destinations: OUWT
Discover the most happening hangout options around you with real time data available on the app, OUWT. The nightlife app has more than 300 venues including bars, pubs, nightclubs, gastropubs and restaurants with in-house entertainment. (Read more about the OUWT app)
Drawbacks: No details about events or special nights.
Where to get it: Google Play Store and iTunes store
Cost: Free
Alternatives: None
Traffic updates: Ridlr
Find the shortest route between two points and learn about traffic conditions in advance with Ridlr. You can also use the app to locate the nearest pay-and-park service, check time tables and receive alerts and notifications on public modes of transport. You can use the app to recharge your Metro card on-the-go.
Drawbacks: Poor traffic incident reporting. If you travel only via road, we recommend Traffline which offers crowd-sourced alerts on traffic incidents.
Where to get it: Google Play Store, Windows App Store and iTunes Store
Cost: Free
Alternatives: Use both Traffline and Ridlr together
Hire a ride: Uber, Ola Cabs and Bookmycab
Heading home from the Christmas party? Try one of the app-based taxi services like Uber, Ola Cabs or BookMyCab, especially because they offer pick-up and drop and come with a built-in SOS button. (Read more)
Drawbacks: May cost a little more than regular cabs.
Where to get it: All app stores
Cost: Free
Alternatives: None
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