My brother-in-law very nicely pointed out today that Google Transit won't make WMATA any money, hence the lack of interest.
Okay, well, yeah, I argue, but we really need this. And it's free!
Well, Metro has its own planner, he very nicely pointed out.
A few hours post-conversation, DCist covered the money issue and a few minutes ago I tried to give Metro's website another go. (Edited to add: You can find answers from Metro here, and responses from Greater Greater Washington here. Got so excited, I left it out!)
And I remember what the website lacks.
If you want to plan the route from the webpage, you have to choose rail or bus. This is a particuarly big problem: what if the best route uses both? Google Transit includes all methods to reach your destination (and is willing to go outside the city you're in). If you bypass the options you can look at a map of the Metrorail and you can print it or put it on your iPod (good luck). The map is "interactive" and though I'm a fan of the classic Metro map, the option to use a Google Map is more helpful because it includes the surrounding areas of each station. This is the same content if you plan your route on the rail.
There is seemingly nothing new here. The new website is certainly better and easy to navigate, but the website lacks the specific and precise directions Google Transit can provide. And that's what we need. DCist is right: "We deserve better."
Response from WMATA
WMATA lets riders down with refusal to use Google Transit, from the archives
Metro Says Google Transit Could Happen if it Made Them Money Metro responds; wanted money from Google Transit via Greater Greater Washington











Comments
Figuring out the bus schedule has been a discouragement to me. But why would WMATA an organization often operating in the red want to encourage riders?
--Mic
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