Everyone knows by now that you can use Google to find a taxi. But now, residents of Portland can use Google to plan an excursion using mass transit. This is incredibly cool, especially considering that Google compares the cost of driving the same distance. Google is going to save the world and save us some cash while they’re at it.
This is a bit more practical in Portland than it would be in Tampa. For one, there’s a train, which bypasses traffic quite neatly. For another thing, departure times are listed as 6:21, 6:34, 6:49, and 7:05. Yeah, in Tampa, the trip planner would include a good book or the paper (and an abundant helping of patience.)
Still, a part of me is inwardly begging them to partner with HARTLine. If you work with HARTLine and you’re reading this, check this out, please.
I think Tampa is just about ready for a light rail system… I posted about it here
-Ben
[...] I know transportation is important to some of you. Other local bloggers have been asking questions, suggesting alternatives, begging for real options, cheerleading rail, and taking notes of mass transit (and technology) in other communities. But even as far back as February, BloGax commented that the biggest obstacle would be getting the various public agencies on board. Nailed it, didn’t he? [...]
[...] Way back in December, Tyler found Google Transit which gives Portlanders a quick way to determine various mass transportation schedules and comparing the times and costs to driving. And although he acknowledged that it made great sense in Portland, Tyler practically begged Google to partner with HARTline here in Tampa. [...]
Very cool!