Metro said Monday it is continuing to negotiate with Google to offer its bus and rail schedules on the giant search engine, despite reports to the contrary that prompted hundreds of riders to sign an online petition seeking the information.
Yet the financially strapped transit system says it is still willing to do the deal — if it can get some money.
“We also have to get something out of this deal,” Metro spokeswoman Candace Smith told The Examiner. “It can’t just be a private company getting something off the back of a public agency.”
Google Transit already has more than 80 transit systems aboard, including local services such as Fairfax’s CUE Bus system and giants such as New York City’s subway system, which like Metro faces budget woes.
Metro began talks with Google earlier this year to place its information on the popular mapping tool, which lets Google users plan their trips by car, foot or public transit. But the talks stalled in the fall, Smith said.
More than 400 people have signed a petition sponsored by the “Greater Greater Washington” blog, asking for Metro to give Google its schedule information.
One petition signer from Takoma Park wrote: “What’s good for riders is good for WMATA,” she wrote. “As a Metro rider myself, I welcome efforts like this to make the system more convenient for everyone to use.”
E-mails also poured into Metro board chairman Christopher Zimmerman, who said it appeared Google was using its status to push the agency.
The petition founders did not respond Monday to a request for comment.
Google spokeswoman Elaine Filadelfo said Google Transit is working with transit agencies worldwide to help promote the convenience of public transportation.
Smith said Metro’s newly redesigned site, which debuted Dec. 8, offers more detailed and accurate information than Google with fare prices and real-time scheduling information.
Furthermore, she said, Google wanted the transit agency to bear all legal liability if the transit data were wrong.
It also came down to money. Google would get ad revenue and draw away users from the transit agency’s site, Smith said.
The transit agency’s site had more than 16 million page views last month. In the fiscal year ended in June, Metro said it made about $68,000 on its Web site advertising, up from about $51,000 the year before.
“We want it to continue to grow, especially now,” she said. “We’re looking at new and inventive ways to make money. … We have a bleak financial future.”
