Google Maps and Google Transit

Google Maps

Google has a great API (application programming interface) for letting developers build their own Google Maps. I built one for Metro, as a demonstration for one of my Atlantic Oracle Training Conferences sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Association of Oracle Professionals (MAOP).



My version can also be found on my CASEtech website at: Washington DC - Metrorail
WMATA also has a version that's hidden on their website at: Metrorail Street Maps

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Google Transit

"Do you live in or near a city? Want to go someplace—to the airport, to dinner, to work every day—and not worry about the hassles and expense of driving and parking? Google Transit Trip Planner enables you to enter the specifics of your trip—where you're starting, where you're ending up, what time of day you'd like to leave and/or arrive—then uses all available public transportation schedules and information to plot out the most efficient possible step-by-step itinerary. You can even compare the cost of your trip with the cost of driving the same route!"

Google the folks that brought us search engines, maps, and real-big email boxes is beta testing Google Transit:

At the moment they're only offering this service for the Portland, Oregon metro area, but they plan to expand to cities throughout the United States and around the world.

What about Washington, DC? I would like to see WMATA provide Google with all the data they need to be able to implement Google Transit for the Washington Metropolitan Area. Then when we're looking for the best way to get from here to there, we can get the whole picture, in a map!

Until then, Metro has a great Trip Planner.

But I still think, you've got to love those maps for making it quick and easy!