Google Maps monthly bill goes up from $1000 to $30000 for Metlink Wellington

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Google Maps monthly bill goes up from $1000 to $30000 for Metlink Wellington

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UHD

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#2040925 20-Jun-2018 10:56

I'm pretty sure Apple uses Here for their data too. Here is pretty slow to update a lot of stuff (am an editor) and is missing quite a lot compared to Google.

langi27

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#2041675 21-Jun-2018 13:26

Does this open the door to other goolge map uses, there's at least 4 or 5 free to download apps on my phone that uses the google maps service.

for example, Plugshare, Rankers Camping, Polar Beat, trademe.

Will these free apps get hit with a massive monthly bill they have to pay?

sidefx

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#2041686 21-Jun-2018 13:50

Unlikely - I suspect (with zero knowledge of how they're actually using the google maps services... but this is the internet so I'm not going to let that stop me) this is a combination of them having a relatively "large" user base (compared to free apps) and probably inefficient design, architecture and\or programming, i.e. lack of aggregating data\caching\etc.

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stinger

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#2041689 21-Jun-2018 13:53

gzt: I read the article. It says AT is already using OpenStreetMaps.org. Is there any reason Metlink needs to use Google?

AT Metro use Google Maps, not OpenStreetMaps.

sdav

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#2041710 21-Jun-2018 14:01

Totally based on nothing but it wouldn't surprise me that this runs deeper and Google are having an open whinge about central government plans to claw back tax from large organisations (like the Google's) even though the service they create literally depends on taxes being paid so roads back be built etc etc...

sidefx

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#2041711 21-Jun-2018 14:01

stinger:

gzt: I read the article. It says AT is already using OpenStreetMaps.org. Is there any reason Metlink needs to use Google?

AT Metro use Google Maps, not OpenStreetMaps.

Their journey planner (which sounds similar to the service metlink is complaining about) seems to use smartrak for mapping? (though what that's build on I'm not sure?)

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mattwnz

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#2041718 21-Jun-2018 14:13

sdav:

Totally based on nothing but it wouldn't surprise me that this runs deeper and Google are having an open whinge about central government plans to claw back tax from large organisations (like the Google's) even though the service they create literally depends on taxes being paid so roads back be built etc etc...

I would doubt it. I think it is more to do with making money off the product. The fact is that many online services don't make any money or run at a loss, in order to grow the customer database. So once they have got that core customer base, then they can rise prices, to allow them to run as a profitable business. They would also factor in that they may lose a certain percentage of that customer base with the change, but the ones that remain would more than make up for it. That is business.

KiwiSurfer

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#2042959 23-Jun-2018 20:41

AT uses Apple Maps for their iOS app.

AT uses OSM for the journey planner on their website.

Looks like AT planned ahead while GWRC seem to have been surprised by this.

raytaylor

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#2042992 23-Jun-2018 23:26

This is the second time that google has raised their prices that I know of for the mapping service.

Its based on number of API calls made - so in theory the metlink app could use a "cdn" type service where the app could be re-written to query non-google servers for information where possible.

Our software provider at work changed from google maps to bing (yes bing)about 2 years ago at the last price rise :-(

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madduck

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#2043000 23-Jun-2018 23:53

There are great apps out there, such as TransportR and Oeffi, which take in timetable data and facilitate the planning. Metlink should IMHO provide the data on an open API and let us figure out how to interface with good stuff. Their app/UI is a nightmare anyway.

Disrespective

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#2044857 27-Jun-2018 16:07

madduck: There are great apps out there, such as TransportR and Oeffi, which take in timetable data and facilitate the planning. Metlink should IMHO provide the data on an open API and let us figure out how to interface with good stuff. Their app/UI is a nightmare anyway.

There is some work on accessing the data streams already. I utilise this with my openHAB system to provide data of the stops nearest my house and part of my commute.

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