Apr 24, 2008 8:07 pm US/Pacific
Google Providing SF Transit Info On Map Service
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5 / BCN) ―
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom joined officials with the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency and Google Thursday to announce the latest online tool for the city's public transit riders.
Google Transit, which was launched in San Francisco this week, allows users of Google Maps to obtain directions and information about public transit stops and schedules.
At a news conference at City Hall Thursday, Newsom said the tool will help "modernize and streamline'' public transportation and provide ease of access.
Similar to obtaining driving directions from Google Maps, visitors of the Web site now have the option to click a "Take Public Transit'' link that will provide a drop-down menu that provides public transit routes and times.
SFMTA Senior Director Carter Rohan said the partnership will leverage local public transportation by using Google's worldwide familiarity and that the tool will allow SFMTA to reach a broader audience.
"This is a great tool for the transit system,'' Rohan said.
Google Transit also recently added public transit information for Bay Area Rapid Transit, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority and Caltrain vehicles.
The service is available for commuters in more than 20 other U.S. cities, as well as cities in eight other countries.
Officials said Thursday that already established online services such as NextBus, which provides transit info in real time, and 511.org are typically used by commuters who know where they're headed and how they're going to get there.
Tom Sly, new business development manager for Google, said Google Transit will be used by "outsiders, visitors and residents.''
Sly also said that every time a user looks for driving directions in San Francisco on Google Maps, the transit option will promote public transportation.
The transit service is limited to bus stops and schedules, however officials hope to integrate real-time information and GPS technology.
The service, which is available in 11 languages, will not generate any direct costs for the city or the SFMTA, officials said.
Google Transit can be accessed directly at
http://www.google.com/transit.
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