Yes, Virginia, there IS a Google Transit

A lot has been said on this blog about the promises of bringing Google Transit to the DC Metro area (see: here, here, here, here, here, here & here...you get the idea).  And a lot more could be said (I REALLY could go on all day), but let's cut to the chase:

GOOGLE TRANSIT IS HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quietly, this past weekend, the Alexandria Transit Company (aka DASH) became the first local public transit system to have its schedule integrated with Google Maps. Well, INSIDE the beltway, at least.  Baltimore's MTA, Fairfax CUE, Loundon County Transit and Morgantown's Mountain Line Transit Authority are available as well.  But let's not miss the important point here: this is the first transit information available on Google that I'LL USE.

So trip planning has taken a whole new dimension for me.  Now, when trying to get from point a to point b, c, d, e & f, I have the option of getting directions for walking, driving and public transportation.  Google can tell me, for instance, where to walk to find the nearest busstop, when the bus will arrive, where it will take me and how far to walk from there.  And it will give me the next three available itineraries now or for any point in the future.

On top of that, this weekend also saw an iPhone upgrade to the Google mobile map application that brings the transit information, as well as walking directions and StreetView (see this earlier post about THAT) to my smart phone.

Thank you, Santa! This is will be the best Christmas commuting EVER!!!!

[Ok, it's not perfect yet.  The information for my bus stop seems to be missing for the after-hours AT3/4 route, but, hey, let's not quibble.  This is still better than socks.]

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Kevin Beekman lives in Alexandria, VA

Comments

[Morgen]

Cheers! We are moving forward with Google Transit here in San Luis Obispo, and I am certainly looking forward to making the announcement as you have here. Similarly, we've been talking about Google Transit for quite some time, on our blog and on our website, and the release is going to feel good. Congrats and happy planning!