Google Transit

Already available online, the new program called Google Transit acts as a new source of information for business commuters. The article announces the partnership between Google and the MTA. While the article focuses on the improvements of public transportation in New York City, Google Transit is also up and running in Chicago, San Diego, Burbank and Orange County according to an article by Zach Behrens called “Will Metro and Google Transit Ever Happen?” in the Los Angeles News online. Even loading the Google transit page shows the vast coverage it has across the globe.
Google Transit is a new way commuters can quickly plan a trip and use their time more efficiently. The information provided in the program includes walking, bus, subway, and rail system data. All the information is updated daily and focused for the public to avoid the stress of traveling.
In my opinion, the new program in Google is brilliant. Each year Google’s main site has grown and offered more and more useful tools. Now, as Governor Patterson in New York said, “it is a truly innovative marriage of information and infrastructure.” Google Transit is connecting more businessmen and women to the Internet, and still including the old ways of traveling. While this is nothing like having a business meeting over the Internet, I believe it is just as important. In essence, the use of maps is becoming minimal. The Internet has been the new source of information for a long time now, but it does not stop growing. Google is replacing paper maps, especially when the Internet can be easily accessed on cell phones and computers. Not too mention the Google services are free to the public. And in the article, it pointed out that the partnership of MTA and Google does not cost the taxpayers anything. At the same time, MTA welcomes the new program because their revenue increases as more commuters use the train or subway as Google makes them easier to use.
As more travelers are being educated on the public transit systems, I believe the city and companies within are benefited in several ways. First, Google Transit sends you to the necessary sites in order to book your trip. Most companies have assistants to book trips for their employees. Whether the assistant or commuter is booking it, both employees can do so quickly and therefore increase the work flow of their day. Second, the city's transit systems will run more smoothly as travelers known where they need to go already and are not slowed down by a messy travel plan. Lastly, if more people are using public transportation, hopefully the tension of heavy traffic and increased emissions from cars will decrease.
I have always supported Google and what it has to offer. In turn, I am happy to know that the MTA has acknowledged the usefulness of Google. The article written by Zach Behrens questions if Google Transit will cover the LA area. At the rate that Google is growing, there is no doubt in my mind that it will soon happen for LA too.

http://www.hvpress.net/news/126/ARTICLE/5288/2008-10-01.html

http://laist.com/2008/10/02/will_los_angeles_google_transit_eve.php