When's the next train? Check your iPod.

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) has made its train schedule and system map available as a free iPod download.

The transit agency, which links San Francisco with points east and south of the city, claimed today it's the first in the nation to offer iPod downloads.

With BART QuickPlanner for Apple iPod, riders can look up departure times and station information and view the BART system map in color, the transit agency said. BART also plans to send automatic notifications whenever information changes.

Seems the agency has some experience with such ventures. It also offers schedule downloads for Palm and Pocket PC devices, and web-enabled mobile phones. All of them are free through BART's Web site.