Complaining about Calgary Transit
Please, excuse if this blog comes down to a place of personal ranting, however, dear readership, as an auto-therapeutic practice preventing further harm or damage i need to share my frustration about the website of Calgary’s transportation company with you. I have written it all up as a customer feedback email, that i actually sent them.
Dear web team of Calgary Transit,
I value very much the existence of public transport, even when there may be some service irregularities, and I think Calgary Transit is a valuable part of the city’s life. However the CT website has very fundamental shortcomings. In fact, looking up connections and bus schedules on the CT website is an extraordinarily frustrating experience. Being forced to enter bus stops or road names in a specific way and even when entered correctly being told that there are technical difficulties is just not acceptable. Furthermore the site is very slow and it is not possible to bookmark certain connections or bus stops. There are many other things I could mention, but I am certainly not the first one to complain. I just don’t understand how Calgary Transit - the transport company of such an economically thriving city - gets by with this kind of service. What are the plans? When will this problem be solved? Would you consider putting the route data on Google Transit? I would really appreciate any clarifying answers on this. Thank you.
September 13th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
without this kind of actions, nothing would change. that’s the right way to do it, my friend!
September 16th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
did you get any answer?
September 16th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
yes, a two-liner stating that they are working on it and that the new site would be available in a couple of months.. they didn’t really say anything about opening the data and possibly providing google transit with it.
September 27th, 2008 at 5:51 am
you think it’s bad now? Ha! Previously their home page contained a java applet that took 15-30 seconds to load! Imagine that, you type in http://calgarytransit.com, and your browser appears to just… lock up .. for nearly half a minute… while you’re wanting to rush downstairs and not miss the only bus for the next 45 minutes.
CT just don’t get it. Add to that their failing grade on providing bike racks on the few routes that they said they would, and you have to wonder about the quality of management of the organization.
September 27th, 2008 at 6:03 am
yes, speed is one issue, but the interaction design - or the lack thereof - makes this site utterly useless. compared to simple timetables this website is a waste of time and nerves. how glad i am my bike doesn’t need no trip planning forms!
February 21st, 2009 at 7:50 am
[...] le Transit Since my last rant about the Calgary Transit website five months ago on this blog and many rants with locals, much has happened. First Ca [...]