The Springfi eld Mass Transit District announced last week that they’ve integrated their bus schedules with Google Maps and several other online map services, making it simple to get directions for using public transportation. If you’re used to the old way of squinting at the route map while trying to decipher the schedule, the new way will seem like a breeze. “Telling your phone ‘OK, Google, how do I take the bus to UIS?,’ and getting a response with specifi c directions makes this a really exciting transformation for SMTD and our passengers,” said Steve Schoeffel, head of SMTD’s service planning and marketing. Integrating the bus schedule with technology is part of SMTD’s effort to broaden the appeal of public transportation, both to residents and visitors. Schoeffel says a two-person household can save more than $10,000 per year by downsizing to one car, and public transportation fi ts prominently in the urban lifestyle of young professionals. “The more appealing and user-friendly we can make SMTD, the more passengers we will have, and with increased ridership, the more service we can offer for the benefi t of regular passengers and new passengers alike.” Check out details with video online at www.smtd.org/apps.