Google Transit Now In Beta

KIondike writes "Google's introduced Google Transit, a new Lab product where users (or, "people") can map trips around their city using public transit. From the Google Blog: 'With it, commuters will be able to easily access public transit schedules, routes, and plan trips using their local public transportation options. This first release covers only the Portland, Oregon metro area, but we are working to expand our coverage very soon.' The amount of data they give seems very comprehensive, including time you'll spend walking to the bus or subway, and the amount of money it would cost compared to driving."

Comments

Great work!

[SendBot]

Portland's tri-met system already has an excellent trip planner. Google's transit applies that along their map as they do with driving directions. Can't wait to see this for other cities!

Ottawa, Canada has their own system

[thebes]

For the bus system in Ottawa, OCTranspo has provided an application for just such a purpose. You can enter starting and ending destinations, and it tells you how to get there, including walking times and wait times. It works quite well, and isn't something I expected to get for free. It's called the Travel Planner.
OCTranspo

That Squishy Sound

[hirschma]

...is the sound of everyone at HopStop shitting their pants. Shame, because HopStop works really well, at least for NYC.

Re:is google trying to take over the world...

[ScrewMaster]

Information isn't the only criteria: it's the quality of the way in which it's delivered. I live in the suburbs of a major mid-western city, and while they have an online trip planner it's worse than useless. It's incredibly picky about case and syntax, typically requires half a dozen "searches" until it comes up with something close to what you want. Doesn't inspire confidence, that's for sure. If nothing else, if Google can keep their information accurate and up-to-date their presentation of it will make them a winner.

Rather than being spread too thin, I think Google's problem is more akin to a typical standing army: they have all these people standing around being paid ... you have to find something for them to do. That's just as much true for a few thousand buck privates as it is for a bunch of Ph.D's and engineers.