In a previous post I criticized TransLink decisions to use Google Transit while forgoing any kind of proper mobile application for looking up schedules. Now, thanks to Google and the latest release of Google Maps for Mobile, I have one less thing to complain about with TransLink.
That’s right: Google’s mobile mapping application now supports transit routing. And it works really well, too. Just pick a starting point (or if you’re device has GPS, you can use current location), pick a destination point, and you get a transit plan that gets you were you want to go. Just like the full version of Google transit, you can choose between multiple routes and you get step by step directions for transfers and what not, if you need them. Conveniently, you can also switch between driving and transit directions in case you want to compare times.
rib
February 4, 2009 at 11:09 am
Not to be negative, but rather than sending next-bus arrival times to people wealthy enough to have iPhones and Blackberrys.. hoe about flashing this info to electronic signs installed at the bus stops?
They have that feature only on the B-lines, but what about all the otehr bus routes in the city ???
Derek
February 5, 2009 at 11:32 am
Now that TransLink has their next bus service available via SMS (i.e. text the bus stop number to 33333 and get the list of arrival times for the next few buses), that should make this kind of information accessible to more people (not just the Blackberry/iPhone elite :P).
The cost of showing next bus times on electronic signs at every stop would not be trivial and I’d question the value-add in such a system… Afterall, you’re at the stop anyway so in most cases you’re getting on the bus when it comes (… if it comes? ha).