New MapQuest routing includes transit option

MapQuest, Inc., has released a new rail transit option that links the pedestrian mode with public rail transportation routing in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Washington D.C. and Boston, reaching roughly 90 percent of the nation’s rail ridership. With more U.S. individuals now residing in urban settings rather than suburban or rural, there is an even greater need to provide relevant information and routing to MapQuest’s growing city contingency. The new transit routing option provides departure and arrival information, helpful hints to alert train passengers and station search information in designated cities. “MapQuest is in the business of getting people where they need to go,” said Christian Dwyer, senior vice president and general manager, MapQuest. “We are excited to launch the new transit routing option on MapQuest.com to reach urban commuters who rely on alternative modes of transportation.” On average, some 14.7 million people use metro public rail options in the six launch cities. “MapQuest has always listened to our customer needs. The rail transit option is a direct response to one of the top requested features from our customers, and help us continue to be the trusted source for all types of maps and directions.” MapQuest worked with San Francisco-based, geospatial data and mapping company, Urban Mapping, to develop its transit option, and has plans for additional city content is 2011.