Could Google Transit Become The Universal Trip Planner?

As the site adds more transit systems to its database, some hope that Google's transit route planner could become as useful as its car route mapping software.

1 minute read

April 13, 2008, 7:00 AM PDT

By Christian Madera @http://www.twitter.com/cpmadera


"Google Transit may well become the world's best way to run a railroad.

Already tremendously useful to cities that provide the site with mass-transit routes, it now comes to the city of Chicago, which has one of the most elaborate mass transit systems in the U.S. Go to Google Maps. Type in a query for directions. If your results include a button for "Take Public Transit," Google Transit will spell out directions to the closest station or bus stop, including schedule information.

The power of this is subtle. One huge impediment to wider adaptation of public transportation is the convenience factor--especially, in not knowing how long you'll have to wait for the next damned train. When it's raining or five below zero, you'll drive your car. When you're squeezed for time, you'll take a cab, even if mass transit is faster. After all, it's not faster if you wind up standing on a subway platform for 20 minutes."

Wednesday, April 9, 2008 in Wired Magazine

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Hot air balloons rise over Downtown Boise with the State Capitol building visible amidst the high rises.

The Five Most-Changed American Cities

A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.

April 23, 2025 - GoodMigrations

NYC MTA train on elevated rail with Manhattan skyline visible in background.

New York MTA Says No More Borrowing, Will Cut Costs Instead

The agency says it won’t take out any new loans to finance its planned improvements and is finding other ways to cut costs.

1 hour ago - Bloomberg CityLab

Tree-lined street with large old trees and full parking lane and one-way driving lane in Spain.

Research: More Complex Streets Are Safer

Streets that offer more perceived obstacles and distractions can force drivers to slow down and drive more carefully.

3 hours ago - State Smart Transportation Initiative

People biking along beach path with moored ship in San Diego, California.

San Diego Adopts First Mobility Master Plan

The plan provides a comprehensive framework for making San Diego’s transportation network more multimodal, accessible, and sustainable.

May 2 - SD News

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Senior Manager Operations, Urban Planning

New York City School Construction Authority

Building Inspector

Village of Glen Ellyn

Manager of Model Development

Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO