Boston Public Transit Does It Right: Opens Scheduling Data
from the nice-move dept
We were just talking about how NY's public transit authority, the MTA was following in the footsteps of other short-sighted transit groups, by claiming ownership of scheduling data, and trying to squeeze license fees for anyone who uses it. Instead, if they were smart, they'd recognize that their money is made by making it easier and more convenient for people to take public transportation. It appears there are at least a few public transit authorities that recognize this. Rosedale points out that up in Boston, the MBTA is actually taking an open approach to its data. They're opening up all of the data and allowing developers to create their own apps:"Our priority is to consistently improve customer service for the riders who rely on the T and RTAs everyday to get to their job or their doctor's appointment on time," said Transportation Secretary Aloisi. "With the help of thoughtful technical developers, making this data public will spawn many possible applications to help transit users use their cell phones or laptops to find and use the right bus or train in the right place at the right time for them."Nice to see at least a few out there who have figured this out.
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Filed Under: boston, copyright, data, facts, openness, public transportation, schedule, trains
Companies: mbta
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Public Data
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Surprises
I find it disturbing just how awesome I found that to be. It should, surely, be common-practice to make it easier to use public transport? Still: kudos to the MBTA.
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What?
"Good on 'em", I say!
I wish someone would make CCT easier to deal with. Looking at bus schedules you'd think they hired the seriously impared to made up the info regarding scheduling.
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Didn't work in London
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Re:
To go with the rather cliche saying now... To not do things (especially useful ones like, help commuters and tourists get where they need to go) because of the 'threat' of terrorism, then the terrorists have already won. We are FAR from being the only country that has to deal with that threat, and hardly even in the top five of ones that deal with the reality on a regular basis.
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Now if you can just avoid the gangfights in your train...
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MBTA needs to release real-time info
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Re: MBTA needs to release real-time info
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To be fair
From what I can tell there are a lot of great computer geeks in the area planning on some great projects with this new data. Stay tuned and we'll see what happens.
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NYC way easier to use than Boston
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