BC Transit launches schedules on Google Maps
BC Transit has released its full scheduling data for Greater Victoria to Google Maps' transit planning tool. Image © Google Inc.
BC Transit has released its full transit schedule for Greater Victoria on Google Maps, a popular tool used by transit networks from around the world.
The Google Maps transit feature allows transit users to enter a starting and ending location for travel. The system then calculates the most appropriate bus route (or routes) together with the estimated trip time. A detailed travel map, including walking directions to and from bus stops at either end, is displayed.
To illustrate just how easy to use Google Maps transit scheduling is compared to traditional electronic scheduling available on BC Transit’s website, a user selects Google Maps’ “get directions” feature, and clicks the “transit” button. The user then inputs a starting location (which can be their home, place of work, a bus stop, etc.). We’ll use 560 Johnson Street for this example, and a final destination of 1068 Tolmie Avenue, with a desired departure time of 11AM. Plugging this in, Google Maps instantaneously displays travel information as follows:
- From 560 Johnson Street, walk to southbound Wharf Street (About 2 mins)
- Take #6 bus towards north (11:06AM)
- 17 mins, 16 stops
- Get off bus at Quadra and Tolmie
- Walk to destination (about 2 mins)
The above information is also clearly represented by the map, showing the best walking route to and from both bus stops.
Mobile devices can also plug in to the Google Maps system and receive transit directions while on the go. Coupled with location capabilities that many modern mobile devices feature, Google Maps can immediately ascertain where an individual is and which nearby transit routes will best accommodate their travel plans.
The transit tool on Google Maps for Victoria is not yet fully integrated with all features available to transit users in other cities, such as displaying routes and bus stops without first entering travel coordinates, although this and other features will surely be rolled out over time. VV
Try Google Maps transit schedules for Victoria by clicking here (select “get directions” and click the transit icon). To follow the latest news and issues affecting Victoria’s transit system via VibrantVictoria’s dedicated discussion thread, click here.
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Responses to this Headline or Article
The five most recent replies to VibrantVictoria.ca's discussion forum's BC Transit (Victoria Regional Transit System) news and issues thread, the most relevant thread to the above headline or article:
Holden West
May 21, 2013 at 7:36 pmQuote: Haven't you ever watched an episode of "24" or "Hawaii Five-0"? Just zoom in and clean-up the image already.
The dangerous thing about running red lights is, it takes a lot longer to stop a heavy bus than it does a car.
Mike K.
May 21, 2013 at 9:24 pmFor those of us who have been t-boned in an intersection by someone who ran a red or t-boned someone who ran a red (raise your hands; I'm raising mine) a bus is the LAST vehicle you want to collide with.
I understand that there might be instances where a bus driver may want to run a red rather than slam on the breaks, but at 50km/h a bus should have plenty of time to react to a yellow light and come to a stop before entering the intersection. There's absolutely no excuse, none whatsoever, for a bus to run a red light.
The following are responses we received from BC Transit via twitter.
Quote: @vibrantvictoria Not cool. I'll pass this along, but please also send your safety concern totransitinfo@bctransit.com . Thank you.
We responded that perhaps we should forward the photo and details. The response:
Quote: @vibrantvictoria That'd be very helpful if you could. Safety is our #1 priority and we'd like to address this.
Mike K.
May 22, 2013 at 2:05 pmQuote: From Oct 22, 2012:
I see so many BC Transit buses running RED lights I wonder whether drivers are being trained to run them in lieu of wasting time idling at an intersection.
Otherwise how do you explain the following? I captured this on my dashcam last week in the late afternoon. The bus was traveling west along Yates and blatantly ran a RED light, not even a yellow light. The driver had ample time to stop when he or she saw the yellow light. This is absurd.
Image
Andrew Johnson from CTV contacted us today and mentioned that he is working on a story about buses running red lights in Victoria.
Mike K.
May 22, 2013 at 2:18 pmA press release issued by BC Transit about the re-routing of buses along the Leigh Road/Bear Mountain interchange.
Quote: VICTORIA – Effective June 15, 2013, BC Transit is permanently rerouting four runs in the West Shore. The rerouting is expected to take place at approximately 6 p.m. on June 15 as the City of Langford opens its new interchange on the Trans-Canada Highway at Leigh Road. Routes #56 Florence Lake, #57 Millstream, #57X Langford Express and #58 Langford Meadows will now operate via the Leigh Road interchange instead of through the intersection of the Trans-Canada Highway at Spencer Road.
Customers will also note in September, the former route #56 Spencer Road will be renamed #56 Florence Lake to better reflect the area it serves.
Schedules are not affected at this time, but customers are urged to consulthttp://www.bctransit.com/regions/vic for updates as we monitor the impact of the rerouting over the summer months. Should timing problems arise, run times will be adjusted accordingly.
jonny
May 22, 2013 at 2:45 pm^ Good work Mike! I see many busses run deep yellows and blatantly run reds.
