Apple Maps Adds Amtrak Routes in Northeastern U.S. and Transit Directions for Boston

[kdarling]

This is one area I don't get with Apple... sometimes things just seem to take too long. Just like the SIRI upgrade... my goodness, everyone seems to have a better voice assistant now and you'd think since Apple was one of the first, SIRI would be kicking everyone's butt. And don't get me wrong... I do use SIRI and like what I use her for, but it seems others are progressing faster. Anyway... just wondering.

Apple bought SIRI. It wasn't originally developed in-house.

Hmm. Maybe that's the similarity with the transit apps they bought and never seemed to use.

I.e. perhaps code that's developed in-house gets a higher priority, so we have to wait for that to be developed and new route info collected. Internal turf wars, maybe. We've seen plenty of those at Apple.

Not to be taken too seriously. Just thinking out loud. Maybe someone has a contrary example.

 

[NickD73]

Maps is such a failure. I have it tucked way back in a folder with all the other standard apps I don't use. No point in switching to Apple maps when they'll forever be playing catch up with Google Maps.

 

[hagar]

The new Pro-active warnings in iOS to notify you when you need to leave, are also a complete failure. The other day, I was 4 minutes away from my next appointment, and iOS warned me 1:40 hours in advance to leave soon. Guess, they don't trust their own software neither and prefer to have wide margins

 

[Dekema2]

For a second, I thought this article was talking about more transit systems being added – i.e. the Metro Rail in Buffalo.

 

[npmacuser5]

All About The Data!

 

[DotCom2]

I use Apple Maps almost exclusively. I just hate it though when I want to look at a route that doesn't start from my "Current Location"! I want to plan a route say from point A to point B and I can never figure out how to do that. I think I did do it once but it certainly wasn't intuitive.
It always wants to plan it from my current location.

 

[appledefenceforce]

At this stage I don't even know why anyone would have any hope for Apple maps, or any Apple services for that matter. Everything is rolled out at the speed of snail. All the marquee features are mostly US only. So tired of having to pay a premium just to have fewer features.

 

[Marvin1379]

Thank you for calling the mapped area Northeast. I've run into so many from this area that say they're from the Midwest, or even West. Nope, you are East, Northeast specifically. I lived in Minneapolis. That's Midwest. Ohio, Indiana, you ain't Midwest.
/rant

It says "Northeastern," not "Northeast." The -ern adds more area. Though I would have probably written it with the capital N "northeastern" to eliminate all discrepancy. Northeast, Midwest, South are specific regions with unique culture. While, northeastern, Midwestern, and southern are the generally area of states.

 

[simonmet]

I'm happy with Apple maps (now). It's generally quicker than Google's app and I like it not tracking me the same way Google's invariably does (I.e linking with advertisers in Safari). I look forward to trying out PT in Sydney when it goes live.

 

[Aylan]

Apple is supposed to tell you the best entrance to the stations. This entrance suggestion is pretty wrong. The direction I am going is westbound so the entrance I should take is across the street, the one closest to the top-left quadrant. I guess it will take time to get better! I just submitted my feedback.

 

[nozebleed]

other than the novelty of taking a train, I dont get why someone would over a plane unless you have a phobia of course. 17hr trip as compared to a couple hours in the air max? and at the same price or more in some cases? no thanks

 

[Vanilla35]

Still, there's no comparison with the (free) competition:

- Waze: takes you everywhere, reroutes around traffic jams, warns about police control, weather conditions, objects on the road, ... It's just like having an extra set of eyes and I'm surprised not everybody is using it. (Tip: hide other wazers to avoid screen clutter). Apple should have bought Waze when it had the change. Even if it was just to tap into its resources.

- Citymapper: shows you route directions by car, bicycle and all kinds of public transport. Very convenient with lots of practical tips.

Waze is awesome. I used it for about a month, but gave it up because of the jittery map UI on my iPhone. Google owns Waze - bought them a while ago I'm pretty sure.

 

[avanpelt]

other than the novelty of taking a train, I dont get why someone would over a plane unless you have a phobia of course. 17hr trip as compared to a couple hours in the air max? and at the same price or more in some cases? no thanks

In the Northeastern U.S., unlike in the rest of the country, Amtrak runs frequently and pretty much like clockwork. When you also factor in that in most cities, the train station is right in the urban core, that often makes getting to your destination that much quicker.

I used to take the Northeast Regional trains from Baltimore to NYC several times a month for work and there is no better way to get to Manhattan from the anywhere between DC and Boston than taking the train, in my opinion.

 

[AbSoluTc]

Useless to me. Just like Apple maps is. Tried it again a few days back on a route and it had be get off the interstate just to get back on. Literally take the exit, stop light, get back on. I didn't need to do that. After that, it wanted me again, to get off the interstate, light, get back on. WTF? Why on earth would it do that?

 

[Nicky G]

I don't know why this list includes Baltimore as having transit directions in Maps. Light rail and commuter rail without bus routes is almost meaningless to any resident of Baltimore City.

 

[Shirasaki]

The new Pro-active warnings in iOS to notify you when you need to leave, are also a complete failure. The other day, I was 4 minutes away from my next appointment, and iOS warned me 1:40 hours in advance to leave soon. Guess, they don't trust their own software neither and prefer to have wide margins

But I have tested this feature a few times and their recommendations are fairly accurate. I often end up arriving late to destination if I leave late, and the time window just slides with my leaving time.

Tbh this is somewhat awesome, although it cannot give me transit direction.

 

[kajoob]

At least it is tough for a train to get lost.

You clearly have never had to take Amtrak.

 

[Voenix Rising]

As part of its efforts to add transit directions in iOS 9, Apple has recently updated Apple Maps to include multiple Amtrak routes in the Northeastern United States. Available mainly in the cities where transit directions have been implemented, the longest Amtrak route available runs from Chicago to New York.

Supported routes include the Northeast Regional, Acela Express, Keystone, Lake Shore Limited, Pennsylvanian, and Maple Leaf, many of which operate between cities in the Northeastern United States.

The Acela Express, for example, runs between Boston, New Haven, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington DC. Lake Shore Limited runs from New York/Boston to Albany to Chicago, while Maple Leaf runs from New York to Niagara Falls to Toronto.

Amtrak routes in the South, West, Midwest, and Northwest are not currently available in Apple Maps, but the information will likely be implemented as Apple expands transit information to additional areas across the United States. Transit directions are currently available in Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, and San Francisco.

Along with Amtrak support for several cities where transit directions are supported, Apple has also added transit information for the Boston area. Boston was initially added to Apple's list of supported cities earlier this month, but the page was later updated to note the feature wouldn't officially be working until a later date in October.

As of this morning, transit directions are available in Boston, allowing Boston residents to access directions by Amtrak, commuter rail, buses, and more. The next city to gain transit directions will be Sydney, which was also added to Apple's list of supported cities earlier in the month. While Boston transit information is live, it does not yet appear to be available in Sydney.

(Thanks, Alec!)

Article Link: Apple Maps Adds Amtrak Routes in Northeastern U.S. and Transit Directions for Boston

Funny how this isn't showing up on ANY of my Apple Devices, either under iOS9 or El Capitan. "Transit information for Boston is not available."

 

[kungpaaao]

Google and Apple are a wash in search/accurate date in maps. I've seen google off because of old data and Apple spot on.

However, I use Google services for most anything. Random info talk to Chrome. Siri was a failure out the gate and never went back. Google is just better at getting to places, since I bike a lot (that's part of it - bike routes).

I will keep holding faith in Apple (or anyone) for services.

 

[fitshaced]

Let's be having Sydney already. Actually, I'm surprised Melbourne isn't first. Perhaps Apple thinks Sydney is the capital of Australia and have never heard of Canberra. Not that Canberra ever needs to be on the list.

 

[Soccertess]

Question is, can I just set Google maps as my default map?

And when will we fire Siri..

 

[Tech198]

At least it is tough for a train to get lost.

lol... sure is.

busy schedule... They don't have time to get lost.

 

[Unrealtechno]

View attachment 593922

Apple is supposed to tell you the best entrance to the stations. This entrance suggestion is pretty wrong. The direction I am going is westbound so the entrance I should take is across the street, the one closest to the top-left quadrant. I guess it will take time to get better! I just submitted my feedback.

Feedback is key, does a lot more than ranting on a forum. I applaud you!

 

[Jamesk811]

As part of its efforts to add transit directions in iOS 9, Apple has recently updated Apple Maps to include multiple Amtrak routes in the Northeastern United States. Available mainly in the cities where transit directions have been implemented, the longest Amtrak route available runs from Chicago to New York.

Supported routes include the Northeast Regional, Acela Express, Keystone, Lake Shore Limited, Pennsylvanian, and Maple Leaf, many of which operate between cities in the Northeastern United States.

The Acela Express, for example, runs between Boston, New Haven, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington DC. Lake Shore Limited runs from New York/Boston to Albany to Chicago, while Maple Leaf runs from New York to Niagara Falls to Toronto.

Amtrak routes in the South, West, Midwest, and Northwest are not currently available in Apple Maps, but the information will likely be implemented as Apple expands transit information to additional areas across the United States. Transit directions are currently available in Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, and San Francisco.

Along with Amtrak support for several cities where transit directions are supported, Apple has also added transit information for the Boston area. Boston was initially added to Apple's list of supported cities earlier this month, but the page was later updated to note the feature wouldn't officially be working until a later date in October.

As of this morning, transit directions are available in Boston, allowing Boston residents to access directions by Amtrak, commuter rail, buses, and more. The next city to gain transit directions will be Sydney, which was also added to Apple's list of supported cities earlier in the month. While Boston transit information is live, it does not yet appear to be available in Sydney.

(Thanks, Alec!)

Article Link: Apple Maps Adds Amtrak Routes in Northeastern U.S. and Transit Directions for Boston

Meanwhile in Sydney...

 

[Shirasaki]

Meanwhile in Sydney...

Just use tripview for a decent solution of public transit, for now.