Gmail. Google Maps. Google Docs. Google Earth.
With an ever-growing list of global services, Google is taking some time for Montreal. Google Transit worked with the public transport companies in the Montreal area to develop a new tool to help commuters plan their trips.
Société de transport de Montréal, Agence métropolitaine de transport, Société de transport de Laval and Réseau de transport de Longueuil each provided data in order to ensure a comprehensive tool for all Montreal area commuters.
The service, which uses data from Google Maps, allows users to specify starting and ending points, then choose their departure or arrival times. The itinerary, which also accounts for walking and transfer times, is displayed either on a map or with satellite images.
The Montreal Transit Commission worked with Google by providing schedule and route information, according to Marianne Rouette, director of public relations at the STM.
The STM already offers a similar service called Touts Azimuts. Rouette said Google’s service isn’t considered a threat. “Touts Azimuts will still be very useful,” she said. “It includes everyday modifications to the bus network and is, because of that, more to the point.”
Google Transit will only provide information on planned routes and schedules.
Because Google will be providing links to the city’s transit organizations, STM chairman of the board Claude Trudel expects their visibility to increase. “It will undoubtedly encourage the use of public transit by Montrealers and visitors,” he said in a press release.
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