I wanted to do a quick update on the Greensboro Transit Authority (GTA) post I made yesterday that had to do with adding the trip planner technology to the GTA Web site.
After reaching out to the City I was told that this is on their radar, but the time frame of implementation wasn’t mentioned. I don’t have any hard facts (yet) on whether or not adding the trip planner will increase ridership, but my gut says it will. By increasing the number of citizens that use GTA we can further advance the system, which will be great news for getting around Greensboro. Again, if you don’t see the purpose in having a convenient tool that allows you to easily plan your trip, visit the GTA Web site and see how long it takes you to figure out how to get from your house to Friendly Center and back.
From the comment section of yesterdays post,
“Good stuff going on so far on the blog this week, but I felt this one really deserved my share of comments.
First of all, we need to push for a PART-level integration of this software. Having used and worked with Triangle Transit, I think that the only way this can really work well is for it to be across the board with all systems. Case in point, the exchange that happens down at GTCC in Jamestown between Greensboro and High Point. Also, as you saw, the trip planner is already good, but it’s use will explode once the system is linked with Google Maps and the tracking devices are all on the buses. Case in point there, the NCSU Wolfline put tracking devices on buses about three years ago and ridership numbers swelled. Plus, they bought buses that run on biodiesel and are brighter on the inside than the ones previously in use that have made them popular. Greensboro made a huge step with HEAT and the Depot refurbishing, but they have a long way to go.”
I agree that PART needs to integrate this technology, and apparently they do too. After posting a link to yesterdays post on Twitter I received the following message below from PART.
Given the above message I assume that PART is still a ways (years) off from bringing this technology on board. Regardless of what happens with PART, the City of Greensboro needs to make this a high priority.
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Ryan:
I definitely think implementing a trip planner, and creating a more user friendly website for GTA will certainly increase ridership.
If GTA has any hopes of attracting a significant number of choice riders, it must make the transit experience as convenient as possible. You correctly point out that GTA’s current website is neither functional nor user friendly.
A really well designed website is especially important because most GTA bus stops are only designated by a route sign that only displays the route number. Anyone new to public transit would see this, and I imagine, be too intimidated. Giving residents the option to plan a trip before they leave their house, or even on the go if they have internet access through a blackberry or iPhone, would lessen the intimidation factor.
I’m pretty sure that GTA could secure federal funding to help pay for a new website. If not, I’ve suggested that they pursue grant funds from the Weaver Foundation and other community organizations. Improving ridership and increasing use of public transit seems to fit well with their stated goals of environmental protection and improving the lives of disadvantaged residents.
Kind of tied into the topic of attracting new ridership, I just wrote a new post about implementing a downtown circulator service and how it could help attract new GTA riders, not to mention help ease traffic and parking congestion downtown.
http://standupgreensboro.com/many-birds-one-stone-the-benefits-of-a-downtown-circulator
PS. The GDOT newsletter (below) touted late last year that Google Transit would be up and running in March. And everyone I’d spoken with earlier this year gave me a March/April roll out timeline. I don’t know what happened. For some reason, I get the feeling that GTA doesn’t seem inspired to be better than ordinary. Having attended the Board meeting back in April, most members appeared as if they could care less about GTA and improving mobility in Greensboro.
http://www.greensboro-nc.gov/NR/rdonlyres/7E184637-2921-4046-B943-8B948D08BD21/0/TrafficZoneWinter0809.pdf
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