Alexa can help you travel by public transit, too
The first thing I do when I get in my car to go somewhere is pull out the map app on my phone.
Until I learned about Alexa Transit, which debuted earlier this year.
Now I can plan my route—including real-time traffic and public transit schedules—before I leave the house. And better yet, it taps into navigation data from 450 public transportation agencies, so it works whether I’m taking a bus, a train, or driving myself.
- Stations and timetables To find the closest option, say “Alexa, where is the nearest bus [or train] stop?” and she’ll give you the stops and how far they are from you. If you know your preferred stop, ask “Alexa, when does the next train depart from [your station]” and she’ll tell you the next departure time.
- Route planning by car If you want to know the best way to get from your town to another, just ask, “Alexa, what is the fastest way to get to [place].” If you live in a place where driving is the fastest, she’ll check current road conditions and tell you the fastest route, and how long it will take.
- Route planning by public transit If you don’t want to drive, ask, “Alexa, what is the best way to get from Annapolis to Baltimore” and she’ll give you the fastest route, including departure station and any transfer points; estimated time to get there; and when the next bus or train departs.
- Long-haul trip planning Daydreaming of a long road trip? You can ask her how long it will take to get from your home to, say, Yellowstone National Park. Her default is to give the main highway route, and estimated hours of driving time based on current traffic conditions. (P.S. Yellowstone is only 33 hours from the East Coast! That’s good to know for vacation planning next summer.)
Pro Tip: The public transit data is only as good as the agency providing it. If you live in a place with well-established public transportation like buses or subways, you’ll get more options than if you live in a suburban or rural town with more limited options.