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

[Aaron Antrim]

Sprint would provide internet access for this project.  There's a deal  
that any public agency in California can take advantage of to get  
wireless packet data service for between $40 and $50 month (I can't  
remember the exact figure).  I posted to on this same topic back in  
April: http://redwoodtech.org/pipermail/list_redwoodtech.org/2008-April/000745.html

Wi-fi access on commuter transit service, in particular, is starting  
to pop up in Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, and plenty of places I don't  
know about yet.  TriMet's (Portland) new commuter train service will  
have free wi-fi onboard.

Aaron

On 13 Jun 2008, at 10:29 AM, Tina Nerat wrote:

> What company can provide the access to the Internet for this  
> project? Wi-Fi equipment on the buses has to connect to some kind of  
> Internet connection. Verizon or AT&T mobile services? Just curious  
> on the mechanics of it…. (or if there’s some service here I’m not  
> aware of). Wish they had had this when I took a commuter bus to work  
> every day in San Diego from 1997-2000. Thanks, Tina
>
> From: list-bounces at redwoodtech.org [mailto:list-bounces at redwoodtech.org 
> ] On Behalf Of Aaron Antrim
> Sent: Friday, June 13, 2008 10:18 AM
> To: list at redwoodtech.org
> Subject: [RTC List] Google Transit for Blackberries, Palm,and other  
> "smart-phones"
>
> 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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