Nah, a phone is pretty indispensable. If you’re waiting for the train at 3am, the only person on the platform, your phone might be the only way for you to know that that countdown clock is lying, and that the subway is down. I would not recommend trying to tackle the MTA with a paper map alone. I wish signage and announcements were as good as you’re hoping
My 5 visits to NYC all happened before smart phones were ubiquitous and I never got lost. Of course the 3 am case might be an exception. I don't think the system has become worse, but the average user has just become more helpless.
I recently travelled 2 weeks by train in foreign countries. I did not turn on GPS a single time. It's just a cause and symptom of helplessness if people need that. Yes, I used my phone to make hotel reservations. 20 years ago I did the same using tourist offices, phone books and payphones. But the difference is really marginal. Travelling was not a problem without smart phones.
You say "might be" like I'm not describing a thing I've experienced :) You're going to have a tough time convincing anyone that having real time updates on train status is a net neutral. I am excited you have not yet had an issue, though. I had train trouble yesterday, the Q only ran to Times Square.
