The new CTA Bus Location Map shows buses moving in real time.

Two new transit map services debuted this week from the CTA and Google that make it easier for riders to plan their trips. Google has added Chicago to the growing number of cities it offers public transit trip planning for on Google Maps -- allowing riders to use the familiar interface to plan their rides. A great added feature is that it provides an estimated cost comparison for the trip by transit and driving. My work commute at $2.00 per train trip came in as a cost savings over driving at $2.25 per trip. It would be wonderful to see a carbon calculator added in as well for driving and transit directions.

The CTA also debuted its bus tracker service yesterday, allowing riders to see where their bus is in real time either online or with their mobile phone. This could potentially end the dilemma of whether to keep waiting or take a cab, or help riders save time when they need to choose between multiple route options. Select bus lines are available now, with more coming online in the coming months.

Now if only Google Maps could add Metra and Pace and include real-time bus and train locations as opposed to scheduled times...

Google Transit Chicago
http://www.maps.google.com/chicago

CTA Bus Tracker
http://www.ctabustracker.com