Mobile Public Transport Routing - GottaGo for iPhone
In March 2008 I spend some time talking about the opportunities of open transit data - making public transport better discoverable. By that time - one of the ideas I was throwing around was the "urban nomad compass". A mobile phone based tool that can instantly show me the public transport connections from my current location (via GPS) and my next destination.
A lot has happend since then - the tools are now available:
Today a new release of GottaGo has been made available in the App Store. To install search for "GottaGo" on the iPhone App Store and pick the one with the ! at the end - or via iTunes follow this link: http://liip.to/gottago. I had the opportunity to put the new release into real-life test in the last few weeks. I'm pleased with the result.
Last Saturday I discovered new ways navigating inside Basel. Although I'm familiar with the trams and buses - finding the fastest public transport connection between me and my destination - using multi-hop connection with tram and bus - is not something ordinary people can do without help of such a tool. (I know there are people knowing the whole schedule in their brain - but I have other hobbies).
But what is the difference between the mobile timetable and GottaGo? 2 things:
A lot has happend since then - the tools are now available:
- First was SBB to release it's own NaviGo. I only did a short test - but I was disappointed as they tried to solve too many use cases. And the feature I use most is hidden behind a lot of clicks.
- Then Google added the public transport routing into the Google Maps for Mobile. It's the coolest implementation - as it is map-based - but lacks public transport data coverage throughout whole Switzerland. Note that the built-in version in the Apple iPhone can't do it - yet.
Today a new release of GottaGo has been made available in the App Store. To install search for "GottaGo" on the iPhone App Store and pick the one with the ! at the end - or via iTunes follow this link: http://liip.to/gottago. I had the opportunity to put the new release into real-life test in the last few weeks. I'm pleased with the result.
Last Saturday I discovered new ways navigating inside Basel. Although I'm familiar with the trams and buses - finding the fastest public transport connection between me and my destination - using multi-hop connection with tram and bus - is not something ordinary people can do without help of such a tool. (I know there are people knowing the whole schedule in their brain - but I have other hobbies).
But what is the difference between the mobile timetable and GottaGo? 2 things:
- you don't have to provide your departure station. Sometimes it's faster to walk 5min to another bus stop - instead of taking the tram just near-by! The "normal" timetable don't tell you that.
- it's instant - having my favorites/history present - some tabs with your finger - and run
"Sometimes it's faster to walk 5min to another bus stop" Tell that to Urban ;-) Some people prefer to wait instead to walk. But that case does probably work as well with gottago :-)
Posted by
2ni |
September 24, 2008 9:13 AM
Thanks for the review and test. A must have application for me. Unfortunaltely I cannot use it because I am still on iPhone 1.4 since there are still some apps missing on 2.1 like MMS!!!
Posted by
ahdigital |
September 28, 2008 9:36 PM
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