Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Custom Public Transit Search Engine

Google today announced a new customized search product which allows users to create specialized search engines. This allows me to add a new feature to this blog. You will now see a search box at the top of the page which customized to give you search results from public transit sites throughout the world. This should result in a better more focused search results. Hopefully, it's useful finding information about public transportation systems. Please give me feedback on how well it works! Happy searching!

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

United States Public Transit Systems Directory

The American Public Transportation Association has a nice website with a directory of hundreds of public transit agencies throughout the United States. Clicking on a state brings you to a comprehensive list of transit agencies in that state along with links to their websites. It's a great way to find contact information for transit agencies.

American Public Transportation Association Public Transit Systems

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

HopStop: An Alternative to Google Transit

HopStop is a service very similar to Google Transit. It's a good alternative to use for cities that Google doesn't cover yet. HopStop has subway and bus directions for five cities: New York, Boston, Washington, San Francisco, and Chicago. These are all cities that are not yet on Google Transit. They list five cities as "coming soon": Philadelphia, Atlanta, Maryland, New Jersey, and Long Island. (Interesting that two of these are actually states not cities.)

The core of the service is just like Google Transit. Enter a starting point and ending point and HopStop will give you directions using public transit. Like Google, you can enter a starting day and time. It gives you the option to use the bus system, train system, or a combination of both.

In addition to directions, HopStop also has a city guide which is a search engine for nearby attractions, bars & clubs, hotels, restaurants, and shopping. HopStop also allows users to rate the bus and train routes. Users can get a sense of the quality of various bus and subway lines.

The final major feature is HopStop Mobile. Registered users can get directions via SMS or via voice by calling a toll-free number.

Overall, HopStop seems like a good service if you live in a city it covers. It'll be interesting as HopStop and Google Transit expand to include more cities and gain more users.

How to Contact Chicago Transit Agencies

Here is contact information for various Chicagoland public transit authorities:


Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)

Questions, comments or complaints about CTA's services.
Also to request Maps, Brochures, Schedules.
1-888-YOURCTA
(1-888-968-7282)

Email: ctahelp@transitchicago.com


Metra (Commuter train service)

Metra Passenger Services
547 W. Jackson
Chicago, IL 60661
(312) 322-6777 - Weekdays 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM


Pace (Suburban bus system)


Passenger Services
(847) 364-7223
passenger.services@pacebus.com


Regional Transportation Authority (RTA)


RTA Administrative Offices
175 W. Jackson Blvd, Suite 1550
Chicago, IL 60604
Weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(312) 913-3200

RTA Customer Service
175 W. Jackson Blvd, Suite 250
Chicago, IL 60604
Weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(312) 913-3110

communications@rtachicago.org

RTA Community Outreach
(312) 913-3144