[RTC List] Google Transit for Blackberries, Palm, and other "smart-phones"

[Aaron Antrim]

I thought RTC members would be interested to know that the new version  
of Google Maps for mobile includes transit directions.  See below for  
the press release I sent out on behalf of Humboldt Transit Authority.

Here's another example of how data in standardized formats (in this  
case the Google Transit Feed Specification) becomes more accessible  
and useful.  Someday soon, I hope to work more on an application I  
started that uses GTFS data to tell employers with parking impacts  
which of their employees live near public transportation stops, and  
are therefore good candidates for a targeted outreach program.

Note also that Redwood Transit System is interested in offering 802.11  
Wi-Fi internet access on-board their buses with cellular packet data  
to Wi-Fi bridges.  We've determined this can be done for $600 per year  
per bus.  A pretty good value for reaching a half-million potential  
riders/year.  I've volunteered to advise them and help move the  
project along.  Would anyone else from RTC be willing to join in the  
effort to advise, or have any tips on where to find partner/sponsors  
who would be interested in advertising trade on the bus exteriors and  
interiors?

Cheers,
Aaron

Begin forwarded message:

> Humboldt County residents with web-enabled mobile phones and PDAs  
> can now plan trips on public transportation more conveniently when  
> they're on-the-go.
>
> Last week, the new version of "Google Maps for mobile" added transit  
> directions.  Google Maps for mobile is a free download for owners of  
> Blackberry, Palm OS, Nokia/Symbian, Windows Mobile, and other Java- 
> enabled mobile devices at www.google.com/mobile/gmm.
>
> "This version of Google Maps for mobile even has a few tricks not  
> yet available on the desktop version of Google Maps. For instance,  
> you can find the last transit trips of the day (to figure out how  
> late you can stay at the party) and more easily browse through  
> earlier or later trips," says Joe Hughes of Google in a blog post  
> announcing the new feature (googlemobile.blogspot.com/2008/06/get- 
> bus-and-train-directions-on-go-with.html).
>
> People who own iPods, or non web-enabled PDAs and mobile phones can  
> also carry electronic schedules with them, which are available for  
> download at www.redwoodtransit.org/schedules, www.eurekatransit.org,  
> and www.arcatatransit.org.
>
> "By publishing our schedules to Google Transit, we have been able to  
> help Humboldt County residents who are feeling the crunch of rising  
> gas costs to more easily figure out bus schedules and reduce their  
> transportation costs," says Neleen Fregoso, General Manager for  
> Humboldt Transit Authority, which operates Redwood Transit System  
> and Eureka Transit Service.  "Having schedule information available  
> on mobile phones and PDAs makes it even more convenient."
>
> Humboldt Transit Authority can be contacted at 443-0826.
>
-- 
Aaron Antrim
Trillium Solutions
707.633.4464
www.trilliumtransit.com

Join my LinkedIn network:
www.linkedin.com/in/aaronantrim
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