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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."
Is there nothing Google can't do? If anyone working at Google sees this, I am offering free personal sexual favors. Just do Los Angeles next.
Where all think alike, no one thinks very much.
I'm not sure, however, if even Google has enough computing capacity to figure out NYC's public transit.
Now I can find the quickest way from Bald Peak to Beaverton, then into Rocky Butte.
Dude....you just said....
He who knows best knows how little he knows. - Thomas Jefferson
Transport for London Journey Planner
Quite cool; allows you to plot a journey on several different types of public transport. Even includes the amount of time it takes to walk to the station, which makes it really really useful.
By summer it was all gone...now shesmovedon. --
It does have some new ideas, like price compared to driving, but otherwise it's not.
The Danish site Rejseplanen covers all public transportation in Denmark, from anywhere to anywhere, including address to address, along with estimated times for walking from Point A to Stop B.
As for people entering data into it? Well, that's also new compared to Rejseplanen, but why would you need it, when the site has access to every single itinerary in the country?
We do not live in the 21st century. We live in the 20 second century.
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!
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
Now other people will be able to take public transit more effectively, freeing up more room on the freeway for me and my Hummer!
...is the sound of everyone at HopStop shitting their pants. Shame, because HopStop works really well, at least for NYC.
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.
... 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.
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
The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
The problem with most transit systems and websites is that, like your link, they assume you already know what bus/train/etc. you want to take. What this service (and many 'trip planners') do is allow you to simply input the start and end locations, and it will determine what route(s) can be used and show you how to get there.