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Embark is pretty good but it doesn't solve the "what's the fastest way from this random location in SoHo to Port Authority" problem. I can tap on two stations a
by natesm 14y ago
Embark is pretty good but it doesn't solve the "what's the fastest way from this random location in SoHo to Port Authority" problem. I can tap on two stations and find the fastest way between them, but Google would tell me which option to take, of which there are a lot:
* Walk to W4th, A train (or C/E train) directly to Port Authority
* BDFM from Bway/Lafayette to W4th, A train
* BDFM from Bway/Lafayette to NQR at 34th, walk from 42nd.
* NR from Prince to 42nd
* 6 from Bleecker/Spring to Union Square, NQR to 42nd. This is a long and annoying transfer, which Google probably picked up on.
* 6/NR -> L -> ACE (probably not)
Since Embark's map is the stylized subway map, it doesn't really help with geographic locations.
There are other situations like this: should I take the J train at Bowery directly over the bridge and walk for a while on the other side, or should I walk to the 6 and take the L train under the river, getting off much closer to my destination? The estimated walking time factors into this - if there's a J train about to arrive and I'll narrowly miss the 6, the answer is obvious. If I'm going to have to wait for both, my time is better spent walking to a train that will get me closer to my destination.
- davidwhodge 14y agohey natesm, Thanks for your feedback. We always appreciate advice on how to improve Embark. I'm not 100% sure this is what you're referring to, but Embark does allow you to plan a trip between arbitrary locations and compare the times. You can type in a start and end address if you like. As you pointed out, this cannot be done from the map directly because it is a "schematic map" of the subway system. This is one of the tradeoffs of having a recognizable map where stations are easy to identify. Trip planning is certainly not a problem we address visually, but we will give you results that we think will get you there the fastest.
- dangoldin 14y agoGreat app. One piece of feedback I have which affects me is commuting from Hoboken, NJ to a place in NY. It basically requires me to take 2 different public transportation systems and Google was able to handle that scenario pretty well. I'm pretty sure it's a low priority but it does affect some people (namely me!)
- davidwhodge 14y agoThanks for the suggestion. We'll keep that in mind.