L.A. buses, rail synced to Google Maps in new partnership [Updated]
July 10, 2009 | 10:58
am
MTA officials hope a new partnership with Google Maps will make it easier for passengers to plan trips using the agency's buses and trains.
The MTA is the latest transit agency to join forces with Google to connect transit information on the interactive maps. According to the MTA, users will be able to get bus and train route information, schedules and stop locations using Google maps.
Passengers can type in dates, times and destinations into the map and get trip information, including transfer options and lists of landmarks along the routes.
“We have listened to our customers and have provided the Google transit planning resource they have requested,” MTA chief Art Leahy said in a statement. “As the third-largest transportation agency in the United States, it made perfect sense for us to join the Google phenomenon. We are extremely excited to now be a part of the most popular online mapping website in the world, and we have high hopes that a worldwide audience will now be able to more easily plan their Metro trips here in Los Angeles.”
[Updated at 12:45 p.m.: LAist has a roundup about other local transit agencies and their plans for Google Maps. The Los Angeles Department of Transportation is hopeful its DASH shuttles will be part of the MTA's bus feed, and other agencies including those in Santa Monica, Santa Clarita and Culver City are interested.]
[Updated at 12:45 p.m.: LAist has a roundup about other local transit agencies and their plans for Google Maps. The Los Angeles Department of Transportation is hopeful its DASH shuttles will be part of the MTA's bus feed, and other agencies including those in Santa Monica, Santa Clarita and Culver City are interested.]
-- Shelby Grad
Just what we need-google to know our bus trips now, too...
Posted by: Dave in the Valley | July 10, 2009 at 11:06 AM
It's about time. The MTA trip planner is maybe the worst Internet mapping tool on the whole Web. I'm guessing this is a cost-saving measure so they can spend less on their website, but thank God there's a better way to do this now.
Posted by: Mister M | July 10, 2009 at 11:16 AM
I just played around with this. It still appears not to be integrated with the Commuter Express routes. Thus, a route from Northridge to El Segundo either goes out to the Chatsworth station, thence Metrolink, thence Red/Blue/Green line, or busses to the Orange line to the Red/Blue/Green... when all that would really be required is a bus to Balboa, and then Commuter Express.
I think this would work much better if it was integrated with all the bus lines in the area (including Commuter Express, which I believe is LA DOT) and the flyaway lines (LAWA).
Posted by: Cahwyguy - Daniel | July 10, 2009 at 11:33 AM
No comment about how Big Blue Bus isn't included in the maps?
Posted by: Morris Jones | July 10, 2009 at 11:54 AM
It's about time!
Posted by: robertoc | July 10, 2009 at 11:55 AM
More importantly, are the buses trackable using GPS? Rapidbus.net has the Rapid buses on GPS with real-time arrival estimates. Does Google Maps? Do non-Rapids have any GPS tracking mechanism so I know how long I have to wait for the ever-late 210 bus? Also, why is Metro cutting back its Rapid bus schedules to not reflect that some people start work at 10am and not 9am?
Posted by: Pink | July 10, 2009 at 12:18 PM
Is it just me? I can't get it to work. When I type in my destination and time, I just get a bunch of useless information.
Posted by: Joanne | July 10, 2009 at 12:33 PM
Finally! Now if only the Rapid Bus Stop LED signs were working and accurate.
Posted by: Jack | July 10, 2009 at 01:25 PM
Cool, now I an can confirm that it takes 4x as long to take public transportation as it does to drive!
Posted by: G_Trojan | July 10, 2009 at 03:38 PM
I use google maps on my blackberry and it works AWESOME! (80's I know) The departure time are right on and I save so much time using it!
Posted by: JoaJoaJoa | July 10, 2009 at 03:54 PM
I will comment about how the Big Blue Bus is not on the map, and neither is the Culver City bus line! If you are at West Pico & Fairfax, and you want to get to Olympic & Sawtelle, you are taking the long way around if you take the MTA. I also want to mention that traffic is more congested on Santa Monica Blvd than on Pico, so you are not going to be a very happy commuter!
Posted by: UserNameRequired | July 10, 2009 at 04:51 PM
Can't wait to use it. Also. I found this great website of theirs that has short videos featuring things to do using Metro. I'm going to buy a day pass and do this. Good job Metro!
http://www.youtube.com/user/losangelesmetro
Posted by: Rick | July 10, 2009 at 05:27 PM
Works great on my G1.. Finally!!
Posted by: csg | July 10, 2009 at 06:06 PM
No doubt it will be the usual buggy Google nonsense.
Posted by: James | July 10, 2009 at 06:30 PM
Finally, this will be very helpful
Posted by: Bill Tilley | July 10, 2009 at 06:39 PM
Why can't you get SMS text messages @ Google to give you route schedules?
Posted by: lwps | July 10, 2009 at 09:24 PM
It's about time this happened, yay! It's given me some good ideas to improve my commute, though I'm terribly dissapointed in the laxidasial attitude of local transit providers to get with the program. Culver City especially seems extremely noncommital.
Posted by: Space Kimchi | July 11, 2009 at 01:38 PM