Gothamist: Map of the Day: Brail's Transit Route Map

I_M_Noman

Tue, 13 Dec 2005 13:45:04 -0500

Hmph -- the map tells me to transfer to a non-existent train! I'm supposed to transfer to the #9 at Times Square, take it to Marble Hill, and then walk back over the Broadway Bridge. Sorry, Charlie.

Greenlight

Tue, 13 Dec 2005 12:53:27 -0500

Re: Waterwalker's comment (#2): I got the same kind of result going from Roosevelt Island to York & 65th! Instead of telling me to, I dunno, take the train from the Roosevelt Island stop to Lex & 63rd and then walk over, the site suggests I swim northwest, dodge traffic on the FDR, and trespass through Roosevelt University. Even mapping from 21st St & 40th Ave in Queens to the same destination, the site tells me to walk south to the Queensbridge station, take the F one stop to Roosevelt Island, and then take the same swim the rest of the way. And starting from Vernon Blvd, it forgoes the subway and suggests I swim (twice!). Apparently, if the direct distance of the points (not taking any street plans into account) is shorter than any convenient subway routes, it defaults to the swim-and-walk-through-buildings route. I don't think the makers of this "map" took water or streets-- or any actual maps, other than the MTA's-- into account.

eric

Tue, 13 Dec 2005 11:54:06 -0500

it needs improvement. it has you walking diagonally, through buildings, it doesnt involve the buses, and too often it has you get on the train for one stop, even if it'd probably be faster just to walk it.

S.D.

Tue, 13 Dec 2005 11:21:33 -0500

Nice. I wonder how the google transit map will compare?

roo

Tue, 13 Dec 2005 10:48:49 -0500

Coming soon to a city near you, something remarkably similar: http://www.google.com/transit

Kevin Walsh

Tue, 13 Dec 2005 10:41:37 -0500

It's a neat-o interface, but I told it to get me from my house in Flushing, 43rd Ave and 159th Street, to Springfield and Linden Blvds in Cambria Heights... here's what it says: Walk for 37 minutes, 9 seconds to the Main Street - Flushing station. Board the Seven diamond. Transfer at Woodside - 61st St to the Seven. Transfer at Broadway - 74th St to the E. Transfer at Kew Gardens - Union Turnpike to the F. Get off at Jamaica - 179 Street. Walk for 1 hours, 15 minutes, 5 seconds to your destination. Estimated time: 2 hours, 45 minutes, 41 seconds Ah, I see it only does walking and subways. The real solution is take the #12 on Northern Blvd to Francis Lewis Blvd, change for the #76, change for the #77 at Hillside Ave. Estimated time 44 minutes, 14 seconds. www.forgotten-ny.com

girlacross

Tue, 13 Dec 2005 10:38:10 -0500

Yeah but it still lacks some practicality. To go to my friends place from mine in Lefferts Gardens, they'd have me taking a 12 minute nighttime stroll through the heart of Bed Stuy. And another test had them sending me on the 2 and switching to the Z (!) to get from Prospect Park to East Williamsburg/Bushwick.

waterwalker

Tue, 13 Dec 2005 09:23:53 -0500

Very cool - but - I put in a starting point of 63rd & York, and the first instruction was: Walk for 7 minutes, 29 seconds to the Roosevelt Island station. Board the F. Neat trick if you can do it.

IBM

Tue, 13 Dec 2005 09:18:20 -0500

Amazing!