Why is GO Transit using Google Transit?
GO Transit is pleased to offer Google’s Transit Trip Planner on gotransit.com.
Google Transit provides the technology to bring the GTHA’s transit systems
together for trip planning purposes. GO has
promised to
help passengers quickly and courteously, and participating in Google Transit was
a natural fit. This service provides an easy, free and fast way for GO customers
to get trip information.
What other agencies in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) are
participating in Google Transit?
- TTC
- York Region Transit (YRT)/VIVA
- Hamilton Street Railway (HSR)
- Mississauga Transit (MiWay)
- Burlington Transit
- Brampton Transit, and;
- VIA Rail
…more to come!
Is there a way to plan a trip through Google using GO Transit
exclusively?
Google’s Transit Trip Planner uses a combination of participating agencies to
calculate the best trip plans. There is no way to select an individual transit
agency for your trip plan; however, you may now select the transportation mode
by which you travel.
If the trip planner suggests combining two or more transit agencies, do
I have to pay individual fares separately?
Depending on what transit systems you ride, yes – for now. An integrated fare
payment system for transit agencies in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton areas is
already in the works with the PRESTO fare card system.
The PRESTO card offers seamless fare integration between participating
transit systems. Visit the PRESTO
site for more information.
Are the times provided in real time?
The times provided by the trip planner are the scheduled times found in the
GO Transit timetables on our website. This also means that temporary detours and
service disruptions are not reflected in the trip results. Arrive early to
ensure that you do not miss your train or bus. Please check our
Service Updates page, or
sign-up for
E-News for
up-to-the-minute updates.
Is Google Transit accessible?
Google Transit has accessibility features for persons who use screen readers
or Braille displays. The technology of Google Maps provides an easy-to-use
interface that gives trip information on these devices.
Can Google Transit be accessed on mobile devices?
Google Transit can be accessed on mobile devices through the
Google Maps
application.
What can I do if aerial map view is out-of-date?
If the aerial view on Google Maps is out of date or difficult to see, you may
choose to notify Google using the “Report a problem” tool in Google Maps. GO
Transit is not responsible for the accuracy of Google Maps, including the road
networks and satellite images.
What if I know a better routing plan?
Google Transit uses a complex system to determine the best three options for a
search or query. This process (officially called an algorithm) considers factors
such as minimum travel time, minimum number of transfers and minimum walking
distance/time. It is meant to be a tool to help customers access schedule
information.
Why is my trip plan suggesting I "backtrack" to complete my trip, and
how do I know the required fare in this case?
Backtracking refers to suggestions that you travel away from your destination
only to have you travel back again (towards your destination). While it may seem
odd for the trip planner to provide a backtracking option, it may be logical
from a travel time perspective at certain times during the day.
In some cases, when you plan a trip using the Google Trip Planner, you may be
provided with a planned trip that involves backtracking, transfers, or extended
wait times. In the event this occurs, please contact GO Transit or the local
transit provider to confirm the connections and determine the fare.
