Arbor Update

Ann Arbor Area Community News

Google Transit does the AATA

22. April 2008 • Bruce Fields
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Google Headquarters, Ann Arbor, by rosefirerising

Google maps will now give you local bus directions between any two points (example). Neat-o. (Thanks to YpsiNews, via Phillip Farber and Ed Vielmetti.)

Ed notes that they’ve also done Detroit, and points out that there are now a couple ways to get between Ann Arbor and Detroit on transit. Google maps doesn’t seem to know about them, though.



  1. I actually noticed that today. What a fantastic way to integrate the two features!


       —Christy    Apr 22, 10:43 PM    #

  2. This would be a lot more useful if the data set also included the U of Michigan buses, which are free to anyone who gets on. Often the best route around the campus area is a big blue bus and not an AATA bus, but I never ever know when to expect the others.


       —Edward Vielmetti    Apr 22, 11:17 PM    #

  3. Google Maps… one of the most useful websites in existence. Excellent new feature.


       —Skyler    Apr 23, 09:12 AM    #

  4. Ed,

    Try this for the UM buses: http://www.pts.umich.edu/. On the left is a link to schedules/routes and a link to the Magic bus, which shows where each bus is in real-time.

    I agree it would be better if google included them, and greyhound, amtrak, michigan flyer, etc.


       —S.    Apr 23, 11:54 AM    #

  5. Thanks S. The Magic Bus stuff looks neat; I wish there had already been built for it some simple text-only mobile phone ready web user interface, like the Mobile Ridetrak http://mobile.theride.org that I use every day for the AATA. simple matter of programming.


       —Edward Vielmetti    Apr 23, 08:59 PM    #

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