ARN

Google Transit makes Aussie debut in Perth

Google Maps team now targets users on the move with Transit.

Australia has finally joined Google Transit more than two years after its US launch.

The system integrates transportation routes and timetables with the functionality of Google Maps.

Alan Noble, head of engineering for Google Australia and New Zealand today launched the application in Perth as the first installation for the Southern Hemisphere.

"You can find the quickest route to take, when buses and trains are leaving and because it integrates with Google Maps, it can recommend some cafe's in the area," Noble said.

"Public transportation is difficult enough for mere mortals to understand."

"We are hoping with the Perth deployment that the other transit agencies around Australia will see what we are doing and hopefully get excited."

The system integrates with WA transportation authority Transperth.

Google Transit was created in Portland, Oregon from the company's initiative which allocates 20 percent of engineers' time to develop interest projects.

Google uses an XML feed to collate information and it is up to the transportation operators to provide relevant details.

Noble declined to say when other states will be added to the system, but expects operators to participate due to the success of the Perth implementation.

"We really do depend on the agencies to provide us with the transit information so we couldn't predict how soon we will see deployments in all Australian cities," he said.

Nominations for the 2012 ARN IT Industry Awards open on Tuesday, June 12.

More about: Google, Transportation
References show all

Comments

Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
Users posting comments agree to the ARN comments policy.
Login or register to link comments to your user profile, or you may also post a comment without being logged in.
Related Whitepapers
Latest Stories
Community Comments
ARN Directory | Distributors relevant to this article
Aquion , Avnet Technology Solutions
rhs_login_lockGet exclusive access to ARN's news, research and invitation only events.
ARN Distributor Directory
Find distributors by name | vendor | location
Channel Deals
/deals/aca-pacific/415_bonus-500-gift-card-with-every-sgi-is5000-sp-s
ACA Pacific

Bonus $500 Gift Card with Every SGI IS5000-SP Storage Subsystem. Ends June 30th, 2012.

More details »
ARN Vendor Directory
Find vendors by name | category

iAsset is a channel management ecosystem that automates all major aspects of the entire sales,marketing and service process, including data tracking, integrated learning, knowledge management and product lifecycle management.