DC Circulator Now Available Through Google Transit

The DC Circulator now makes it schedule available through Google Transit. By making use of Google Maps, Transit provides D.C. residents and visitors step-by-step transit directions both in the web browser or on the mobile phone. Google Transit will let you find transit stops in your area, search for a restaurant, or view station information and schedules.

D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty announced on Feb. 22 that bus trips on the DC Circulator can now be tracked within Google Transit. Simply click on “By public transit” as the sorting option on Google Maps to see Circulator routes.

This may sound good news to D.C. residents and visitors but critics said it will practically be meaningless without the addition of WMATA.

Missing key information continues to be a problem for Google Transit users. A commenter on the Urban Turf post writes:

I tried out Google Transit and it seems to be missing some, um, key information like the metro routes. I tried mapping the best way to get to my office (Union Station) from home (Petworth) and it suggested I walk to the Columbia Heights metro and then take a bus. The suggested route took 10 minutes longer than the same site gave as the walking time!! Needless to say, if it’s this beta, then it’s useless. Plus you can already plan your route (and it works) on http://www.wmata.com so not sure what the value-added is here.

Another commenter in Greater Greater Washington posts:

Oh dear – the Woodley Park-Columbia Heights-McPherson Circulator line doesn’t display properly. It shows the bus veering off course at 14th and P Streets… the bus apparently then drives through several homes and offices on a hypotenuse until it hits McPherson Square at 13th and K; only then does it appear to re-find the road. Yikes!

photo credit: afagen