Google Transit adds TTC to trip planning feature
TTC data now available through City’s Open Data platform
Google and the Toronto Transit Commission today announced that the Google Transit trip planner (www.google.com/transit) now includes TTC schedules for all bus, streetcar and subway routes. The TTC also announced today that real-time data for next streetcar arrival information is available, free, to anyone wishing to make use of the data for custom applications. Real-time data for all bus routes will be available in 2011.
Earlier this year, the TTC launched its Internet Trip Planner. TTC customers can enter destination information in “from” and “to” fields from the TTC’s home page. Using the TTC’s schedules, the trip planner calculates the length of time the trip will take and suggests the quickest, most efficient route. Customers can select all modes of transit, or just a combination, such as subway, bus and/or streetcar, as well as routes that use accessible buses and subway stations with elevators.
With Google Transit, transit users can now plan their trips around the GTA by TTC, GO Transit and York Region Transit.
“The TTC is committed to improving service in every way possible and that includes using technology to give riders access to the best and most up-to-date information available,” said Toronto Mayor David Miller. “This is yet another step in the evolution of the TTC.
“As the TTC continues to introduce new technologies and ways of communicating with customers, I'm proud to be part of today’s announcement and partnership with Google,” said TTC Chair Adam Giambrone. “TTC riders and visitors to Toronto alike can now access a world-class product like Google Transit, making their journeys easier to plan from their home, office or mobile device.”
“We’re excited to welcome the largest transit agency in the country to Google Transit,” said Chris O’Neill, Google’s Managing Director for Canada. “Google Maps seeks to help users explore the world around them, equipping people with not only geographic map information, but also public transit information. It is an important part of helping people easily and quickly navigate their local environment.”
As part of the City of Toronto’s commitment to openness and transparency, all real-time TTC data will be generated as an XML feed (the format will change soon as system improvements come online) for its streetcars at http://www.toronto.ca/open.