Comments on: Transit Websites http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/10/28/transit-websites/ Transit in the Greater Seattle Area Mon, 13 Feb 2012 02:34:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Comment of the Day - Seattle Transit Blog http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/10/28/transit-websites/#comment-82634 Comment of the Day - Seattle Transit Blog Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:54:10 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=9175#comment-82634 [...] been harsh on transit websites recently, but what about Link’s speaker systems? Link’s still [...]
[...] been harsh on transit websites recently, but what about Link’s speaker systems? Link’s still [...]

]]> By: Drew http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/10/28/transit-websites/#comment-77824 Drew Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:55:49 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=9175#comment-77824 He comes off very self-centered. I don't think that he even has the credentials to be criticizing like this either, look at his own webpage. It is not that logically organized or visually appealing. Based off that alone I would not be interested in his services or opinion. I like his idea of the google map, but that interface is clunky at best for this use.
He comes off very self-centered.

I don’t think that he even has the credentials to be criticizing like this either, look at his own webpage. It is not that logically organized or visually appealing. Based off that alone I would not be interested in his services or opinion.

I like his idea of the google map, but that interface is clunky at best for this use.

]]> By: Zach http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/10/28/transit-websites/#comment-77433 Zach Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:19:33 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=9175#comment-77433 Although it's not technically a transit agency, I really admire the simple design and clear transit directions for Singapore on www.gothere.sg The trip planner there is lightyears ahead of ours, and beats Google Maps hands down for usability.
Although it’s not technically a transit agency, I really admire the simple design and clear transit directions for Singapore on http://www.gothere.sg

The trip planner there is lightyears ahead of ours, and beats Google Maps hands down for usability.

]]> By: Ian http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/10/28/transit-websites/#comment-77281 Ian Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:44:42 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=9175#comment-77281 Thanks for reviewing my video! One point: I don't think Sound Transit should be #1 for 'Seattle bus schedule' - I think they COULD be. I feel more that it's silly that they're stuck way down at #8. Thanks everyone else for the lively discussion. This is how, I hope, Sound Transit can improve.
Thanks for reviewing my video!

One point: I don’t think Sound Transit should be #1 for ‘Seattle bus schedule’ – I think they COULD be. I feel more that it’s silly that they’re stuck way down at #8.

Thanks everyone else for the lively discussion. This is how, I hope, Sound Transit can improve.

]]> By: Casey http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/10/28/transit-websites/#comment-77243 Casey Thu, 29 Oct 2009 07:41:10 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=9175#comment-77243 Sound Transit was at Metro's East Base last week. Two ST people along with our Eastside planner. East base runs most of Metro's ST operated routes. We all know at the end of the year transfers will not be accepted on Link, and Link tickets no good for bus service. Well, sounds like ST is very serious about no longer giving out transfers on ST buses either. Sounds like a great idea to me, as a driver. I hate people using tranfers past expiration, and when I call them on it, they get pissed because not all drivers do it. I'm not anal, not if its clearly expired 2 or more hours past, you going to pay again. Plus its go hard to check them all when people flash them so fast. And I hate those with an archive of old transfer it their wallets. You will avoid paying twice by getting an ORCA card. Cash payers will pay every time they board. Now some people complain that the 1:30 for ORCA transfer is ripping people off.....I've been getting that alot on the bus. Well too bad.....Policy is as follows. Metro-cut transfers to 1:30-1:59 past your ending terminal time (Non-downtown, or out-bound trips). Inbound downtown or through-routed trips, cut transfers to 1:30-1:59 for your Pine,Pike, or Union timepoints. So if timepoint is 3:10, add 1hr,30mins...you get 4:40, then round up to the hour or half past the hour on the transfer......you cut it for 5:00. People are just used to getting longer transfers than what policy states and now ORCA won't, but thats just the way it is. ST policy is for transfers to be cut only 1hr-1:29. Even less the Metro. Also....the point of a transfer is for a "Transfer" to another bus. Not to keep using it for round-trip rides, unless you go back within an hour an a half. If we get rid of transfers, ST, Metro CT, Pierce, whoever brings in more money. Mabye not a lot, but every little bit counts. So I don't know if it will be for sure, but its sounds likely in Jan 2010. Hopefully Metro & the other agencies in Puget Sound follow ST's lead on getting rid of transfers. YOU DON'T LIKE IT....GET AN ORCA, saves me a lot of headaches as a bus driver. I know some drivers hate the idea of ORCA, but I don't know what they're talking about. It's great and I have hardly any issues with it. P.S. If you keep getting the "Please Try Again" message, it's probably because your tagging it incorrectly. Don't wave it a bunch of times, or go from one side to the other. Just tap it ONCE, right in the middle where it says ORCA, and it should fix you're issue. Thanks!
Sound Transit was at Metro’s East Base last week. Two ST people along with our Eastside planner. East base runs most of Metro’s ST operated routes. We all know at the end of the year transfers will not be accepted on Link, and Link tickets no good for bus service. Well, sounds like ST is very serious about no longer giving out transfers on ST buses either. Sounds like a great idea to me, as a driver. I hate people using tranfers past expiration, and when I call them on it, they get pissed because not all drivers do it. I’m not anal, not if its clearly expired 2 or more hours past, you going to pay again. Plus its go hard to check them all when people flash them so fast. And I hate those with an archive of old transfer it their wallets. You will avoid paying twice by getting an ORCA card. Cash payers will pay every time they board. Now some people complain that the 1:30 for ORCA transfer is ripping people off…..I’ve been getting that alot on the bus. Well too bad…..Policy is as follows. Metro-cut transfers to 1:30-1:59 past your ending terminal time (Non-downtown, or out-bound trips). Inbound downtown or through-routed trips, cut transfers to 1:30-1:59 for your Pine,Pike, or Union timepoints. So if timepoint is 3:10, add 1hr,30mins…you get 4:40, then round up to the hour or half past the hour on the transfer……you cut it for 5:00. People are just used to getting longer transfers than what policy states and now ORCA won’t, but thats just the way it is. ST policy is for transfers to be cut only 1hr-1:29. Even less the Metro. Also….the point of a transfer is for a “Transfer” to another bus. Not to keep using it for round-trip rides, unless you go back within an hour an a half. If we get rid of transfers, ST, Metro CT, Pierce, whoever brings in more money. Mabye not a lot, but every little bit counts.

So I don’t know if it will be for sure, but its sounds likely in Jan 2010. Hopefully Metro & the other agencies in Puget Sound follow ST’s lead on getting rid of transfers. YOU DON’T LIKE IT….GET AN ORCA, saves me a lot of headaches as a bus driver. I know some drivers hate the idea of ORCA, but I don’t know what they’re talking about. It’s great and I have hardly any issues with it.

P.S. If you keep getting the “Please Try Again” message, it’s probably because your tagging it incorrectly. Don’t wave it a bunch of times, or go from one side to the other. Just tap it ONCE, right in the middle where it says ORCA, and it should fix you’re issue. Thanks!

]]> By: Zed http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/10/28/transit-websites/#comment-77230 Zed Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:04:11 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=9175#comment-77230 That's the only reason I go to the Sound Transit website.
That’s the only reason I go to the Sound Transit website.

]]> By: Adam B. Parast http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/10/28/transit-websites/#comment-77226 Adam B. Parast Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:46:07 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=9175#comment-77226 I think that ST homepage should be dedicated for the day to day use of the system. Additional information like ST2, documentation, contractor information etc. should be located on something like a 2nd homepage. More of a information access page. Yes ST has multiple audiences but daily riders should be the main focus.
I think that ST homepage should be dedicated for the day to day use of the system. Additional information like ST2, documentation, contractor information etc. should be located on something like a 2nd homepage. More of a information access page. Yes ST has multiple audiences but daily riders should be the main focus.

]]> By: Jojo http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/10/28/transit-websites/#comment-77222 Jojo Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:35:39 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=9175#comment-77222 sort of similar to www.ratp.fr The plan interactif is freaking amazing..though kinda slow on my computer.
sort of similar to http://www.ratp.fr

The plan interactif is freaking amazing..though kinda slow on my computer.

]]> By: Patrick http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/10/28/transit-websites/#comment-77180 Patrick Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:50:11 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=9175#comment-77180 That is a really nice page. It gets a little messy toward the the middle. They should but a button on the left side under service alerts for get email/rss/text updates and a button under that for projects. Most people that are going to sound transit's website are trying to get from point A to B and as such most of the websites should be dedicated to that not that link light rail is now in service (I think everyone knows that it is open) or up coming meetings. On another note does anyone know why Metro's website is going to be down for a couple of hours tomorrow?
That is a really nice page. It gets a little messy toward the the middle. They should but a button on the left side under service alerts for get email/rss/text updates and a button under that for projects.

Most people that are going to sound transit’s website are trying to get from point A to B and as such most of the websites should be dedicated to that not that link light rail is now in service (I think everyone knows that it is open) or up coming meetings.

On another note does anyone know why Metro’s website is going to be down for a couple of hours tomorrow?

]]> By: Tim http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/10/28/transit-websites/#comment-77157 Tim Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:30:20 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=9175#comment-77157 So <b>T</b>acoma's <b>I</b>ntracity <b>T</b>rain/<b>S</b>treetcar?
So Tacoma’s Intracity Train/Streetcar?

]]> By: Tim http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/10/28/transit-websites/#comment-77154 Tim Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:28:16 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=9175#comment-77154 No, he specifically said "nobody's coming to your website to read the news." I think the title of his video should be "How Sound Transit should design their website to best suit Ian Lurie". This guy is highly opinionated and self-centered. His constant use of the word "should" shows that 1) He believes that his way is the only way and 2) He has no sources to back up his claims. I give this guy a F- on his video. Actually, take of the - so I can put an "AIL" at the end.
No, he specifically said “nobody’s coming to your website to read the news.”

I think the title of his video should be “How Sound Transit should design their website to best suit Ian Lurie”. This guy is highly opinionated and self-centered. His constant use of the word “should” shows that 1) He believes that his way is the only way and 2) He has no sources to back up his claims.

I give this guy a F- on his video. Actually, take of the – so I can put an “AIL” at the end.

]]> By: shabadoo http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/10/28/transit-websites/#comment-77095 shabadoo Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:48:58 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=9175#comment-77095 Down south a bit, <a href="http://www.trimet.org/" rel="nofollow">Trimet</a> has a new front page that I think is fantastic.
Down south a bit, Trimet has a new front page that I think is fantastic.

]]> By: Kaleci http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/10/28/transit-websites/#comment-77084 Kaleci Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:15:58 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=9175#comment-77084 I like "automagically." :D
I like “automagically.” :D

]]> By: Kaleci http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/10/28/transit-websites/#comment-77082 Kaleci Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:14:37 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=9175#comment-77082 When transferring, ORCA remembers you paid a $2.00 peak fare on Metro when changing to Sound Transit. Using a paper transfer, which you won't be able to do after January 1, you only receive a one-zone credit, or $1.50 towards the regular fare. One trip - you've saved 50 cents.
When transferring, ORCA remembers you paid a $2.00 peak fare on Metro when changing to Sound Transit. Using a paper transfer, which you won’t be able to do after January 1, you only receive a one-zone credit, or $1.50 towards the regular fare. One trip – you’ve saved 50 cents.

]]> By: Winchester http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/10/28/transit-websites/#comment-77074 Winchester Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:29:15 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=9175#comment-77074 Ian didn't say to remove the rider alerts, just relocate them. As for the news, project updates and meetings/events I agree that they are important but they don't need to take up that much screen real estate. Just put a button for each of those items but don't include any their content until someone clicks on one of those buttons.
Ian didn’t say to remove the rider alerts, just relocate them. As for the news, project updates and meetings/events I agree that they are important but they don’t need to take up that much screen real estate. Just put a button for each of those items but don’t include any their content until someone clicks on one of those buttons.

]]> By: John Jensen http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/10/28/transit-websites/#comment-77063 John Jensen Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:06:09 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=9175#comment-77063 http://www.tfl.gov.uk/
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/

]]> By: Sherwin Lee http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/10/28/transit-websites/#comment-77056 Sherwin Lee Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:53:21 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=9175#comment-77056 ST should really take a look at TFL's website. It's a gem.
ST should really take a look at TFL’s website. It’s a gem.

]]> By: Sherwin Lee http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/10/28/transit-websites/#comment-77055 Sherwin Lee Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:52:48 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=9175#comment-77055 I laughed when he said that no one reads the sidebar with meetings, project updates, and news, because we do.
I laughed when he said that no one reads the sidebar with meetings, project updates, and news, because we do.

]]> By: L. Smith http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/10/28/transit-websites/#comment-77051 L. Smith Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:41:18 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=9175#comment-77051 Since a group working to extend it is called Tacoma Streetcar, maybe they'll change the name when an extension is added.
Since a group working to extend it is called Tacoma Streetcar, maybe they’ll change the name when an extension is added.

]]> By: uuh huh http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/10/28/transit-websites/#comment-77022 uuh huh Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:47:17 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=9175#comment-77022 Folks- Don't forget a big part of ST's audience isn't just transit riders, but also contractors, consultants, small businesses, and job seekers. ST has always been mostly a construction outfit up to this point. Its operations are growing, and need to become a bigger driver of web content for sure. But the construction stuff just got a huge boost from ST2. With 15 years of construction spread across three counties, that will be the case for awhile.
Folks- Don’t forget a big part of ST’s audience isn’t just transit riders, but also contractors, consultants, small businesses, and job seekers. ST has always been mostly a construction outfit up to this point. Its operations are growing, and need to become a bigger driver of web content for sure. But the construction stuff just got a huge boost from ST2. With 15 years of construction spread across three counties, that will be the case for awhile.

]]>