  Fishtoes2000 Member Username: Fishtoes2000 Post Number: 443 Registered: 06-2005 |
[I'm sorry if this has already been posted, but Google and I searched for it...] Google Transit now includes the SMART bus routes. I just noticed that yesterday. http://www.google.com/transit This seems so easy and straightforward compared with looking at the schedule and route map. | ||
Michigansheik Member Username: Michigansheik Post Number: 278 Registered: 09-2005 |
thats nice, hopefully DDOT gets there soon | ||
Upinottawa Member Username: Upinottawa Post Number: 1071 Registered: 09-2005 |
Actually, it would be amazing if Google could include DDOT AND Transit Windsor. As it currently works, you can request Google to give you information about a trip from Windsor to Detroit. Google will tell you it takes about 26 minutes by foot. One would assume it is faster if you swim.... | ||
Iheartthed Member Username: Iheartthed Post Number: 2801 Registered: 04-2006 |
Google is trying to catch up with HopStop. | ||
Professorscott Member Username: Professorscott Post Number: 1152 Registered: 12-2006 |
I'm asking someone at SMART if they know whether DDOT will be taking advantage of this service (which does not cost the transit system any money, by the way). I'll let you know what I hear. It's up to the transit systems to provide the necessary information to Google. Google doesn't pick and choose; any transit system is welcome to participate. Gathering the information is somewhat time consuming. Google needs to know in detail about every single bus trip on the system and exactly where all the bus stops are. It's a staggering amount of information to provide, when you think about it, and I certainly congratulate SMART for the effort. | ||
Innovator Member Username: Innovator Post Number: 79 Registered: 07-2006 |
http://www-personal.umich.edu/ ~copyrght/image/solstice/sum02 /imap4/ | ||
Professorscott Member Username: Professorscott Post Number: 1153 Registered: 12-2006 |
Innovator, That's an interesting map, though slightly out of date (it still shows a bus on Belle Isle, which is no more). No info along certain segments of some bus lines, such as Schaefer or Wyoming in Dearborn. Still, very interesting. When was it done? Prof. Scott | ||
Iheartthed Member Username: Iheartthed Post Number: 2805 Registered: 04-2006 |
quote: I doubt SMART provided them with that information. I worked on the HopStop project in New York a couple of years back and they collected all of the route information on their own using maps and sending out workers to collect information. For those unfamiliar with HopStop, you can check the web site here: www.HopStop.com It appears to be quite far ahead of Google on this front. I just mapped out directions from my apartment in NYC to my office in NYC on Google, and it didn't even offer the mass transit option. HopStop has also had time to build quite a following by those who live in New York, Boston, DC, Chicago or San Francisco. | ||
Professorscott Member Username: Professorscott Post Number: 1155 Registered: 12-2006 |
lheart, I know in detail about how the Google Transit site gets its data, and it's exactly how I described it (which is why it can cover as many cities as it does). I know SMART provided the information because I was at a meeting a month or so ago and Hayes Jones said that SMART was working on getting a trip planner up and running. He didn't say specifically that it was through Google, but apparently that's what it was. | ||
Focusonthed Member Username: Focusonthed Post Number: 1718 Registered: 02-2006 |
I don't know anyone in Chicago that uses Hopstop. But that may be because the CTA actually offers a trip planner, and has for quite some time. It's my understanding that New York's MTA only just recently offered one. edit: eek, they have the ride times off quite a bit. They list my bus 1.5 mile bus trip as taking 28 minutes, when it takes 20 during a snowstorm, 10 on a good day. (Message edited by focusonthed on March 06, 2008) | ||
Professorscott Member Username: Professorscott Post Number: 1156 Registered: 12-2006 |
That's funny, I plotted a rather long bus trip I take all the time, and the times were pretty close to the schedule (which in turn is not too far from good-weather actual times). What trip were you planning? | ||
Bob Member Username: Bob Post Number: 1702 Registered: 11-2003 |
CTA's trip planner works great. I have used it numerous times when I have gone on trips to Chicago. | ||
Focusonthed Member Username: Focusonthed Post Number: 1721 Registered: 02-2006 |
quote: Hopstop was significantly off. The CTA's trip planner is spot-on. 156 LaSalle from Wacker to Schiller. | ||
Swtlorrain66 Member Username: Swtlorrain66 Post Number: 5 Registered: 03-2008 |
SMART comes up here to Port Huron now. Only thing is, you have to call them. | ||
Professorscott Member Username: Professorscott Post Number: 1157 Registered: 12-2006 |
That's not precisely the situation. Blue Water Transit connects with SMART at 23/Gratiot and provides eight round trips a day to Port Huron at peak hours. Each system accepts transfers from the other. They are normal fixed-route lines; there is no need to make reservations. Six of the round trips are express from Port Huron and Marysville via I-94, the other two are local via M-29 through the waterfront communities (St. Clair, Marine City, Algonac, Fair Haven). I have a lot more detail than that if anybody wants it. |
