Loading Profile...
Google Transit Partner Program
Through the free Google Transit Partner Program, transportation agencies such as CVTD can integrate schedule and route data into Google Maps, giving millions of Google users access to public transit information using a common and familiar interface for planning trips. Google Maps is the largest mapping site in the world, and the benefits to the Cache Valley Transit District of a free partnership with Google are enormous. Both long-time residents and one-time visitors will be able to simply click "By Public Transit" on any Google Maps page to see how CVTD buses connect their destinations in Cache Valley.
By participating in the Google Transit Partner Program, CVTD will gain increased ridership by attracting new riders who have never considered public transit before. As quoted in a recent Herald Journal article, 49.7 percent of CVTD riders are students and only 7.7 percent have an annual household income above $50,000. According to the most recent Census data, Utah leads the nation in household computer ownership at 72 percent and is the fifth-highest ranking state in Internet usage. Harnessing the power of the Internet and specifically Google Maps will allow the district to reach a new demographic of Cache Valley travelers. Google will also add links to the existing CVTD website, further promoting awareness and web traffic for the district.
CVTD benefits further from a partnership with Google by helping seasoned riders explore new or alternate routes that they are unfamiliar with. For example, students riding the bus to the university every morning may be unaware that public transit can also take them to restaurants downtown or to work at one of the manufacturing plants around the valley in the evenings. Because Google Maps also makes its trip-planning service available on portable devices such as the Apple iPhone, mobile users can instantly plan a trip on the bus system at any time from any location. Multiple studies have shown that information technology improves the image of transit authorities, and the mere existence of a real-time information system improved the overall feelings of travelers towards the public transportation operator (see Cassidy and White. "Use and Perceptions of Real Time Passenger Information Systems." Journal of Advanced Transportation 29.1; see Infopolis2. "Review of Current Passenger Information Systems (Deliverable 1)". Commission of the European Communities.).
The open, standard data format allows Google Maps to easily plan trips across multiple transit systems. Although at present there are no Utah or Idaho transportation agencies participating in Google's program, Cache Valley Transit District would be leading the charge, proving itself to be a progressive and forward-thinking organization in line with its value statements. This preparation for the future, apart from boosting CVTD's public image today, will prove to be an invaluable asset when the Utah Transit Authority begins publishing route information through Google and millions of users are able to effortlessly plan trips meshing UTA, CVTD, and other public transportation schedules together into a single seamless trip.
By participating in the Google Transit Partner Program, CVTD will gain increased ridership by attracting new riders who have never considered public transit before. As quoted in a recent Herald Journal article, 49.7 percent of CVTD riders are students and only 7.7 percent have an annual household income above $50,000. According to the most recent Census data, Utah leads the nation in household computer ownership at 72 percent and is the fifth-highest ranking state in Internet usage. Harnessing the power of the Internet and specifically Google Maps will allow the district to reach a new demographic of Cache Valley travelers. Google will also add links to the existing CVTD website, further promoting awareness and web traffic for the district.
CVTD benefits further from a partnership with Google by helping seasoned riders explore new or alternate routes that they are unfamiliar with. For example, students riding the bus to the university every morning may be unaware that public transit can also take them to restaurants downtown or to work at one of the manufacturing plants around the valley in the evenings. Because Google Maps also makes its trip-planning service available on portable devices such as the Apple iPhone, mobile users can instantly plan a trip on the bus system at any time from any location. Multiple studies have shown that information technology improves the image of transit authorities, and the mere existence of a real-time information system improved the overall feelings of travelers towards the public transportation operator (see Cassidy and White. "Use and Perceptions of Real Time Passenger Information Systems." Journal of Advanced Transportation 29.1; see Infopolis2. "Review of Current Passenger Information Systems (Deliverable 1)". Commission of the European Communities.).
The open, standard data format allows Google Maps to easily plan trips across multiple transit systems. Although at present there are no Utah or Idaho transportation agencies participating in Google's program, Cache Valley Transit District would be leading the charge, proving itself to be a progressive and forward-thinking organization in line with its value statements. This preparation for the future, apart from boosting CVTD's public image today, will prove to be an invaluable asset when the Utah Transit Authority begins publishing route information through Google and millions of users are able to effortlessly plan trips meshing UTA, CVTD, and other public transportation schedules together into a single seamless trip.
I’m excited
2
people like this idea
I like this idea!
Tell me when this idea gets some attention.
The more people who like this idea, the more it gets noticed.
The more people who like this idea, the more it gets noticed.
Create a customer community for your own organization
Plans starting at $19/month
