Monday, June 15, 2009
A new Google web application helps track public transit routes and makes them available on iPhones, Blackberries, and other mobile web devices. Lawrence is one of the first cities in the nation to be part of the application's public transit database.
The Lawrence Transit System is now part of an application by Google that Robert Nugent, public transit administrator for the T, said could help increase the number of student riders. The T has been a part of the Google Transit application for less than six months and is the first transportation system in the state of Kansas to join.
The application, “Google Transit Trip Planner,” plans trips for public transportation users by taking into account bus schedules and then estimates the time and distance of the trip. Once in the application, riders enter an origin and destination and receive three options for planning a trip with the T system.
The application allows riders to adjust the time frame of their trip so that it will work around their schedule. It also shows riders the difference in cost between taking public transportation and driving to the selected location.
Nugent said he thought this was a great way to get people from one place to another.
“Students should look at the travel patterns of the T,” Nugent said. “It is not just on campus, but also from one side of town to another. And it is free with a new KUID.”
Kaitlyn Kash, Dallas senior, was without a car last semester. She said she relied on her friends and walked to and from place to place. Kash said if had been aware of the application, she would have been a frequent user.
“I was aware of the elections last year about the joining of public transportation, but that’s about it.” Kash said. “I never really heard anything about the T after that, and did not know much about it. If I would know what I know now, I would have used it a lot more,” Kash said.
In addition to KU campus routes, Nugent said the T had routes that went from one side of the city to the other.
Lauren Haskin, Kansas City, Kan. senior, said she sometimes used the T around town.
“I was not aware of this application,” Haskin said. “Normally the routes are posted in the booths, but now I can just get on my phone and look it up myself. It is pretty convenient.”
According to the Lawrence Transit System Web site, the application does not re-route riders around construction in Lawrence.
— — Edited by Jason Baker
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