Lakeland Bus Lines Joins Google Transit Partner Program

DOVER, N.J., March 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Lakeland Bus Lines (LBL) partnered with Google by deploying data on Google Maps for providing its "Public Transit" schedule to travelers and riders. Lakeland Bus Lines is the first non-NJ state agency to launch a transit schedule for public use on Google Maps.

When you search Google Maps on your desktop or mobile device for driving directions in the New Jersey/New York area, the "Public Transit" link/icon appears as an alternative choice. When you click on the transit option link, the transit partner bus routes are shown that cover your specified trip's start and destination. By selecting the "short name" LBL, the stop icons appear on the map. Transit riders will also be exposed to and have access to this free "trip planner" on Google Maps directly from the Lakeland Bus Lines home page.

Both seasoned and new riders alike may discover new routes to destinations with this easy planning tool. Such convenient and simple planning means that transit riders and travelers won't have to sort through timetables. Riders can simply customize their trip by clicking the "Leave Now" option, or later by entering the necessary time, date and/or route options. "The trip planner has a clean UI design that is very easy to understand and use," says Rajiv Prasad, Chief Innovation Officer at Web Epoch. The trip planner provides the user with the most convenient trip options. Google Maps provides the rider with walking directions to both the stop and the destination once getting off of the bus. 

"A very cool search feature allows the use of business names and locales instead of an exact address. Web Epoch developed the Transit Feed Manager tool in Drupal for LBL. I worked with LBL Safety Director, Tom Taylor to understand LBL's unique bus operation schedule that allowed me to generate the feed needed for Google Maps. The value that the partnership between Lakeland Bus Lines and Google Maps provides riders is simply fantastic," says Rajiv Prasad. 

Google Maps shows "Street View" to let riders see the LBL stop location before arriving. This gives the rider a sense of the traffic conditions and whether or not there is a covered shelter or a bench at any given LBL bus stop before the arriving.

LBL Maureen Leo President said: "Customer service at Lakeland has always been a top priority, and this is just the latest example of how Lakeland is pursuing ideas to serve our ridership."

LBL Controller Greg Mazzarisi said: "LBL is pleased to Partner with Google to provide our customers with innovative tools. Google Transit will encourage ridership for both existing and new customers."

LBL VP Operations Leo Homeijer said: "LBL is taking steps to provide outstanding customer service. Our Website, mobile site and now Google Maps for Trip Planning is another tool that helps our customers help themselves on-demand. It's a powerful partnership with Google."

LBL Safety Director Tom Taylor said: "Safety and customer service is our top priority at LBL. With our partnership with Google, we can update new stop information in real time and allow our customers to have the latest technology available for public transportation."

Google Maps supports over 40 languages, so it is very convenient for a foreign language rider to have data available in their native language while visiting or learning a new language. Google Maps is also web accessible for visually impaired users. The Google Transit trip planner is available for iPhone, Blackberry, Windows Mobile, S60, and other Java enabled phones. Download the Google Maps App for your mobile device today.

Information for the LBL public transit system is now active and available on Google Maps for trip planning in our community. We encourage the public to take a look at this exciting transportation option at www.lakelandbus.com and enter the required information into the Trip Planner on the webpage. Remember that the Trip Planner is also available from www.maps.google.com. Just click "Get Directions," and then the bus icon.

Lakeland Bus Lines provides daily commuter services to and from New York City and the Wall Street area, as well as one-day trips to Atlantic City and Pennsylvania casinos.

For additional information regarding our Lakeland Bus Lines transit services, please call 973-366-0600.

"WE'RE HERE TO TAKE YOU THERE"

Google, Google Maps, and Google Transit are registered trademarks of Google Inc.

CONTACT: Roj Prasad, 1-973-335-7775, [email protected]

SOURCE Lakeland Bus Lines

Related Links

http://www.lakelandbus.com