Google Transit Gets NYC Savvy

Google might have some geniuses at their desks, but the MTA is likely to somehow foil their goal of accuracy on their Transit maps. You may recall that earlier this year the company hadn't quite figured out the city's public transit system, but word is that this week they'll be announcing that their Transit option is now NYC-friendly, with full maps integration and a partnership with MTA (the feature has actually launched already).

We tested out one route, from 4 Times Square to 770 Broadway (back in April the same inquiry yielded a suggestion of walking!), and it suggested taking the R/W line or the M6 bus. Seems accurate, but will the times be realistic? The bus ride, around 10 a.m. on a Monday, is said to take around 21 minutes, whereas the subway will take 10. For comparison, Hopstop (which didn't recognize the starting address) thinks the R/W will take 18 minutes, and the M6 will take 23. The two aren't far off from each other, but will either be able to give real-time service delay alerts?

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By Jen Carlson in News on September 22, 2008 2:07 PM

Comments [rss]

chinedu

Hello Mzungu,

HopStop does provide intra-city directions. See an example of directions from Manhattan to Boston.

http://www.hopstop.com?action=route&route_id=fcb879512dfv0d7l

Chinedu/HopStop.com

mzungu

i'm hoping google can step up and provide info that hopstop doesn't- like how i can get to upstate or even to boston from manahattan on on public transportation. yeah, i'm sure it's obvious to some people, but i don't use the trains enough to know all that

Discipline

Why the heck doesn't it count walking time as trip time?

Spirit of 76

Maps don't give time in transit. Not that these sites are that accurate. That ten minute figure for the train probably doesn't include having to wait another five to ten minutes on the platform.

jchez

Speaking of bridges, last time I checked for walking directions on Google I decided to ask it how to get from Washington Heights to Fort Lee in New Jersey (some 2 miles across the GW). Google turned the trip into a literal marathon. It suggested that I walk to Battery Park, take a ferry to NJ then walk back up to Fort Lee - some 27 miles.

That's why Google and all GPS systems give you that warning about using common sense and being aware of your surroundings.

Rfive

It would be nice if it gave alternative routes, similar to hopstop, but it works nicely so far. Kudos google.

Alex

This thing needs work. Just testing out my route to work gives some weird suggestions. If I start out on 87 Bowery (right near the Fung Wah) it has me walking to delancey for the J, then taking it downtown to the Canal St stop for the uptown 6 (87 Bowery to 1 Park Ave).

If I input 90 Bowery (across the street), it has me just walking straight to the Canal St 6 train. I doubt taking the J downtown to Canal Street saves so much time that it isn't worth it to cross the Bowery and walk straight to the 6.

slyseekr

They're "by walking" feature is pretty novel, but until a week or two ago, the only bridge they would let me walk across was the Manhattan bridge!