iPad uses GPS to tell you when the next bus will arrive

[Don C]

http://marketplace.publicradio.org/displ...us-riders/

The MBTA is making GPS information about the location of every bus available and with a new iPad application, you can know the exact location and arrival time of the next bus coming to your location.

[hal]

yes, because people that own ipads are VERY likely to be mass transit users too...

[kj4btkljv]

hal wrote:
yes, because people that own ipads are VERY likely to be mass transit users too...

Well, maybe after getting the $800 64GB WiFi + 3G one they won't have any more money left for gas in their own car...



Jeff

[crispy]

Not just for the iPad? I could see that being popular for any network connected device (iPhone, Touch or other).

[Mr Downtown]

There are a half-dozen CTA (Chicago) Bus Tracker apps for iPhone/iPod Touch. A couple of them apparently use GPS to know what stop you're standing at. If (like me) you don't have a smartphone, you can get the next three buses for any given stop via text message. Darn handy in the winter.

I'm pretty sure they have them in San Francisco and a few other cities as well.

[motopsyco]

Yeah, we got here in San Francisco too. However, this is SF Muni after all and I tell people that the bus will arrive anytime between now and never. Like the other morning going to work.

Cheers!

[davester]

hal wrote:
yes, because people that own ipads are VERY likely to be mass transit users too...

This is a very unfortunate attitude that prevails in much (though not all) of the US. In many countries and parts of the US (New York, San Francisco, etc) mass transit does not have the "lower class" stigma that it does here. This really needs to change. Mass transit in some areas is far superior to using a car to get around. There are many american metropolitan areas that have sufficient density for mass transit to transform the act of getting around to one of ease and convenience, but are currently mired in awful traffic and no viable mass transit because of the stigma. I'm not criticizing you personally hal, because once the populace has relegated mass transit to the mental dustbin of underclass status it fulfills that expectation by becoming crummy and unreliable due to lack of funding. There needs to be a renaissance in public transportation in this country.

[hal]

davester wrote:
[quote=hal]
yes, because people that own ipads are VERY likely to be mass transit users too...

This is a very unfortunate attitude that prevails in much (though not all) of the US. In many countries and parts of the US (New York, San Francisco, etc) mass transit does not have the "lower class" stigma that it does here. This really needs to change. Mass transit in some areas is far superior to using a car to get around. There are many american metropolitan areas that have sufficient density for mass transit to transform the act of getting around to one of ease and convenience, but are currently mired in awful traffic and no viable mass transit because of the stigma. I'm not criticizing you personally hal, because once the populace has relegated mass transit to the mental dustbin of underclass status it fulfills that expectation by becoming crummy and unreliable due to lack of funding. There needs to be a renaissance in public transportation in this country.
I knew a comment like this was coming... and I agree... but the truth is, that outside of a very few large metros with efficient mass transit, mass transit is used primarily by the poor.

I only live an hour from you, but seeing people checking iphones while at a bus stop is not something I'm likely to see any time soon.