Although you might consider “Öffentlicher Personen-Nahverkehr” a ridiculous word monster, you have to admit it, at least it works.
Here is my trip description to get around this summer in 21st century Bay Area in California (In parentheses the ticket price in US$).
- Bus (1.75)
- BART (4.25)
- CalTrain (4.00)
- Taxi (12.00)
- Bus (1.75)
- Bus (1.75)
- CalTrain (4.00)
- BART (4.25)
Stations neither explain where the trains are going to, nor on which platform they arrive.
I had to use four different payment systems.
People in California seem to be able to integrate their Websites with XML and Service APIs better than their real life issues. Like transport.
OK, everybody has a car. “Everybody” has a great paying job, too and “everybody” likes polluting.
There sure is potential (a web-app ?) for integrating transportation to a smooth experience.
Start-Ups, if you need a consultant, giving input from a German (we know how to public transport :), just drop me a line.