Slog
News & ArtsThursday, August 2, 2012
Transportation LINK on OneBusAway
Posted by Charles Mudede on Thu, Aug 2, 2012 at 9:06 AM
For those who are not yet in the know, the wonderful, life-transforming app OneBusAway now includes information about trains on the light rail.
And it works perfectly.
Note: Do not do what I did recently and forget to tap your Orca card on the head of a LINK robot. If this seemingly small error is caught, your whole name will be thrown into the system.
1
Well since the trains leave every 15 minutes, its not really critical to know when the next train will arrive. Its not like your going to have a quick smoke break while waiting as smoking is banned at all platforms.
2
The Mount Baker station! I love the elevated train and the view of Rainier(the mountain and the street.) The next station north buried in Beacon Hill is another favorite of mine, it reminds me of a cleaner version of the subways in New York.
5
One Bus Away doesn't work "perfectly" for me. In fact, it seems to be almost always wrong. I have on occasion trailed after three different buses, on different lines, in a row, each time arriving with a minute or two to spare in theory but only to see the bus trailing away from me down the road. Ah well, I guess it doesn't matter; the only bus that comes anywhere near my house (the 358) is going away, replaced by a "Rapid Ride" that stops fourteen blocks away. No more bus for me, I guess.
6
I always wondered how they knew if you didn't tap your orca card at the little robot head before boarding. Back when I had a upass (the old ones that you just had to flash to the bus driver), I never swiped anything but also was never asked to show my pass.
7
#3
Correct, it only updates when buses pass checkin points. But if a bus breaks down after one of those, OBA will display as if it had arrived and left.
For me at critical times it has been worse than useless...leaving me waiting for non existent buses or at places where the route had changed.
GIGO
Correct, it only updates when buses pass checkin points. But if a bus breaks down after one of those, OBA will display as if it had arrived and left.
For me at critical times it has been worse than useless...leaving me waiting for non existent buses or at places where the route had changed.
GIGO
8
@6
Fare inspectors do get on and check. You have to show your ticket (or non-electronic pass, which I guess no longer exists), and they carry scanners that check whether you've tapped your card.
Fare inspectors do get on and check. You have to show your ticket (or non-electronic pass, which I guess no longer exists), and they carry scanners that check whether you've tapped your card.
9
Probably 9 times out of 10 I forget to tap my Orca card before boarding, but always remember to when I leave. And I've never been accosted about it.
10
@5,
Maybe I'm just stupid, but every time I've tried to use One Bus Away, I couldn't figure out how to find the bus going in the direction I wanted to go. And it happened at least twice where I looked up the arrival time for my bus, got to the stop, and then saw the bus headed in the opposite fucking direction stop across the street right on schedule. I, meanwhile, had to wait an additional 15-20 minutes for the bus I actually wanted.
And don't get me started on how, every time I started up the app, it automatically gave me the entire map of the U.S. (forcing me to painstakingly zoom in) even though my phone's GPS obviously told it that I'm in Seattle.
The UI of that app is insulting.
Maybe I'm just stupid, but every time I've tried to use One Bus Away, I couldn't figure out how to find the bus going in the direction I wanted to go. And it happened at least twice where I looked up the arrival time for my bus, got to the stop, and then saw the bus headed in the opposite fucking direction stop across the street right on schedule. I, meanwhile, had to wait an additional 15-20 minutes for the bus I actually wanted.
And don't get me started on how, every time I started up the app, it automatically gave me the entire map of the U.S. (forcing me to painstakingly zoom in) even though my phone's GPS obviously told it that I'm in Seattle.
The UI of that app is insulting.
14
In the Windows Phone edition of the app, if you type "Link" to search for that route, the app takes you to a map of a place in England.
15
I don't buy your explanation that you "forgot" and am pleased Fare Enforcement put you in the system. Goddam scofflaw.
16
Last year, when I was still new to the train, I tapped, went up the platform, then quickly realized I was on the wrong side. So I went to the other side, tapped again--the mistake, as I learned the second tap cancels the first--and got "caught" by fare enforcement. Took a picture of my ID and gave me a warning.
Also I don't like that if you have a valid pass--but fail to tap--the fine is the same as someone who doesn't pay at all.
Overall though I really like it and wish there were more rail routes...doubt I'll use the Bellevue and Northgate ones very much.
Also I don't like that if you have a valid pass--but fail to tap--the fine is the same as someone who doesn't pay at all.
Overall though I really like it and wish there were more rail routes...doubt I'll use the Bellevue and Northgate ones very much.
17
@12,
iOS. Since you asked, I fired up the app and got taken to a world map, my mistake, it wasn't a map of the U.S. I then proceeded to tap just about every icon on the screen to try to figure out what you were talking about. The location button, that's that circle on the upper left, right? The thing that is not identified in any way, shape, or form as to what it does? Great user interface right there, for reals.
A mobile app shouldn't require a fucking user's manual.
iOS. Since you asked, I fired up the app and got taken to a world map, my mistake, it wasn't a map of the U.S. I then proceeded to tap just about every icon on the screen to try to figure out what you were talking about. The location button, that's that circle on the upper left, right? The thing that is not identified in any way, shape, or form as to what it does? Great user interface right there, for reals.
A mobile app shouldn't require a fucking user's manual.
18
One bus away lies. Totally useless. Metro drivers delight in showing up early and pulling away as riders run and shout, leaving then to wait another hour for the next bus.
19
@keshmeshi you are stupid. I'm about the least technologically knowledgeable person I know & I find the app completely intuitive & have never been taken to a world map. I've taught people dumber than I how to use it in under a minute at bus stops. I have a droid tho, I find people who rely on Apple, with their insultingly dull & buggy UI to di everything for them often can't tie their shoes. Don't blame the app for your failing. Tweet them & they respond instantly with help too.
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