On Google maps there is a drop down feature on the upper lefthand corner that shows bike trails and transit.It only works for a few major citys.
I have also noticed that there is a great discrepancy in the quility of online transit maps from the Transit Authritys own websites.....For MBTA you cant get bus and commuter rail maps on the same page, Chicago is a confusing mess,MARTA crashes everytime I try to load it.LA Metro does not show connecting bus lines at each station, Washington DC is not to scale and does not show VRE or MARC lines.
Unfortunately the only solution is some FTA / FRA regulation to clean up this messy situation. ? ?
blue streak 1Unfortunately the only solution is some FTA / FRA regulation to clean up this messy situation. ? ?
Somehow I doubt that is ever going to happen. The best solution I have found to figuring out which bus routes connect with Amtrak trains is to look up the local bus authority. However, it can be very confusing. I have been able to figure out bus routes in Rhode Island well enough to find the buses I need from the Amtrak station but that is only because I grew up there and I'm familiar with the state. I've also been able to negotiate Philadelphia. But it isn't easy.
Most transit websites reasonably assume that users are familiar with the local geography. Geographic exactness and showing every route can lead to unreadable clutter. The CTA's site shows its surface and rapid transit routes reasonably accurately and the city map is subdivided so you don't have to try to see everything at once. Links to timetables for individual routes aren't that hard to find. Metra's site has one general map of its routes with links to timetables for individual routes. PACE could be a bit better but considering the size of the area it covers, it does reasonably well.
CSSHEGEWISCHMost transit websites reasonably assume that users are familiar with the local geography.
We've been using maps for some time now. I am reluctant to belieive transit maps are impossible. New York City has a pretty large and confusing transit system; yet maps o both subways and buses are available.
I don't see that it is reasonable to assume that no person new to an area wants to use transit. Of course the decision to deny them direction may well turn new people away from transit.
or that the Commuter Rail info booth wont give info on the subway and vice versa. This is a problem on MBTA and in DC Metro where the subway attendants don't carry VRE schedules as well as other places.
You're right, Bonas. If you want to change from a train to a local bus or similar thing you have to be sure to prepare before you leave and carry detailed instructions and still ask as you go.
John
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