DC/Nextbus Take Down Test Bus Tracker When Users Use It
Metro contracted with California’s NextBus to implement a bus tracking system in 2006 for at least $2 million. At first there was a beta that residents could use. Then the beta was closed when accuracy of predictions fell. But, the company apparently left a version of the site up and openly available, so clever users found it and used it. Now, Metro and NextBus are closing the backdoor and making residents wait for the July official launch. Metro says it doesn’t want complaints and anticipates higher cost for the site which is now 80% accurate versus an earlier 92% accurate it its time of arrival predictions. One of four Metro busses are late per the most recent figures available. Riders are campaigning to get the service back before the July launch.
Bottom line: If you don’t want people using your website, don’t make it publicly available! If you want to be like Google, make it available and take lumps and improve it. It works for Google.
