Angelenos can finally get public transit directions on Google! (Earlier: L.A. Close to getting Google Transit) Just look for directions on Google Maps to see Google Transit in action in your hood.
Now UCLA students going to a show at the Wiltern will automatically get public transit directions when they search for driving directions — and perhaps decide to take the bus so no one has to be the designated driver.
The L.A. blogosphere’s overjoyed about Google Transit. The routing’s still a bit buggy according to Damien Newton at Streetsblog LA, who nonetheless sounds happy that Angelenos can get to Michael Jackson’s memorial via public transit more easily. According to Zach Behrens at LAist, Metro says we should see the new transit info “not as a launch, but rather as a data test.”
Juan Matute at The LA Subway Blog had the most terse post about the new app, and Fred Camino at MetroRider LA the most enthusiastic:
Before, it could be quite intimidating for a newbie to try to figure out a Metro route, and the lack of a simple usable trip planning solution may have kept them from ever trying the Metro. Now, a non-rider might be searching for driving directions on Google Maps only to discover a simple and easy transit route and hop on Metro for the first time because of this. And for tourists, Google Transit will be a godsend.
It is unclear why I seem to be the only female blogging about this — but in any case, I have a new opinion to add: Now, the Big Blue Bus really, really needs to get onto Google Transit. Check out the 1.25 hour, multiple-transfer public transit directions to get from downtown Santa Monica to downtown L.A. below — info that could really discourage a would-be transit commuter. In fact, the Big Blue Bus Rapid 10 makes the same trip, sans transfer, in about half an hour!
I had thought that the Big Blue Bus info might be included in the Metro’s mashup with Google Transit, because the Metro TripPlanner incorporates Big Blue Bus info. But now I’ll follow up with Big Blue Bus to find out what’s up –
Oh darn. I was assuming that BBB would be included.
I’m still thrilled to finally have Google transit up for Metro. I’m playing with it and liking it way more than Metro’s Trip Planner (which always seemed to think that walking for more than 5 minutes was impossible).
Hopefully BBB will be added soon.
Rachel (Heart of Light)’s last blog post..The weekend, briefly
Comment by Rachel (Heart of Light) — July 6, 2009 @ 4:22 pm
I was surprised to see that BBB wasn’t included, but hopefully it will be soon. Then again, when I was riding BBB, there was no customer service after 5 p.m.
How Green Is My Valley’s last blog post..L.A. Has Google Transit
Comment by How Green Is My Valley — July 6, 2009 @ 4:35 pm
I’m bummed about Big Blue Bus as well. I occasionally took it to UCLA back in the day–it always seemed like BBB had their ish together so much more than metro!
Rosemary’s last blog post..Los Feliz Saturdays vol. 6
Comment by Rosemary — July 6, 2009 @ 4:44 pm
I’ll contact BBB to find out what’s going on — Hopefully they’re not too far behind :)
Comment by Siel — July 6, 2009 @ 5:35 pm
Hey there, Green LA Girl (and Readers) –
Big Blue Bus has been working diligently towards bringing our information on to Google Transit for over a year. We are finally in the home stretch with the vendor who provides our scheduling software, and expect to be part of Google Transit within this calendar year.
On a related note, the proposal to redesign BBB’s website goes before City Council on July 28. With their approval, we’ll be able to rebuild the site to include online, real-time bus information and a trip planner similar to what you find at http://www.Metro.net, among many other helpful features.
I promise to keep you posted as our technology and services develop.
Thanks to you all for riding!
Linda Gamberg
Big Blue Bus
linda.gamberg@smgov.net
Comment by Linda Gamberg — July 6, 2009 @ 7:10 pm
Dear Linda & Siel -
Thank you so much for bringing news about Google Transit + BBB. I am so happy to hear that BBB is very close to going onto Google Transit. Next up, we have to find out where other agencies, like LADOT + Culver CityBus is at. (This is particularly relevant for UCLA.)
Yay! Sirinya
Sirinya’s last blog post..Metro is now on Google Transit
Comment by Sirinya — July 7, 2009 @ 8:08 am
I’m sorry you missed my post about LA Metro and Google. Maybe because I was the first one who wrote about it before the holiday weekend.
You can view it here: http://www.travelinlocal.com/the-los-angeles-metro-is-now-on-google-maps/
I do totally agree with your BBB assessment, along with Long Beach, LADOT, and all the other local mass transit providers.
LisaNewton’s last blog post..Having Fun in the Sun at Cabrillo Beach
Comment by LisaNewton — July 7, 2009 @ 11:24 am
Linda — Thanks for the info — but at the end of this year? What’s the holdup?! :P Ok — I know public transportation agencies have limited resources and will be patient — I’ll be looking forward to making my NY Eve travel plans w/ BBB!
Lisa — Thanks for the link! And to both you and Sirinya — Good point re: the other transit lines too. Now I’m wondering if the DASH is on there — I use that sometimes –
Comment by Siel — July 7, 2009 @ 8:42 pm
Great news! I have always found BBB to be really straightforward and easy to use, but since Metro is so expansive this is incredibly helpful!
Comment by Chris — July 7, 2009 @ 10:04 pm
Really? I’ve actually found BBB’s site to be extremely difficult to use. You can’t really do trip planning unless you already know where all the buses’ general routes are, for ex, and are willing to look at each map and its stop locations to figure out how to connect….
Comment by Siel — July 8, 2009 @ 11:45 am
Hey Siel,
Love what you’re doing here. I’ve got my fingers crossed for G-Trans on BBB, I ride the 3 alot and it would come in handy. Supposedly, Long Beach transit may be getting Google soon, which is good for me, but unfortunately not much use for the rest of the metro area :( Seems like BBB is now by far the most necessary addition to G-Trans in the LA area.
Drew’s last blog post..Google Transit: Here, but Still Texas-Centric
Comment by Drew — July 9, 2009 @ 12:27 pm
Thanks Drew. One day Google Maps will actually connect all of LA (and environs) :P
Comment by Siel — July 10, 2009 @ 5:33 pm