Matt Mayer, who resides in Shanghai, developed the first website for ExploreMetro in 2007. His motivation for starting the site was to combat outdated station names and timetable information and, more importantly, provide a place where maps load instantly.
The ExploreMetro iPhone app was launched last year and reached a million downloads this month. The app costs US$0.99, but Mayer is celebrating the millionth download by offering the app free over the next two days.
The app offers interactive subway maps, ticket prices and journey lenghts by destinations for Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Singapore. Tokyo, Taipei and Seoul are in the pipeline.
The app also speaks out station names in case users users need to ask local residents for help.
Mayer keeps a blog under the ExploreMetro site to keep viewers updated on subway related news for each of the cities.
