Google Transit Help

Use Google Maps to Plan Transit Trips

As usual in Google Maps, enter the specifics of where you want to go (origin and destination). Now you get to decide how to get there (by car, walking, or by public transit) and optionally when you'd like to leave or arrive (specify time-of-day and/or future date, otherwise next-available trips). Planned service for weekdays and holidays will be accurately reflected in the trip plan by choosing the date of travel.

Google uses all available public transportation schedules and information (provided by participating transit agencies) to provide up to three suggested trip plans with the most efficient step-by-step transit directions, which you can print and take with you, or access from your mobile phone while you are out and about.

We recommend you check all of the suggested trip plans provided, as one may provide a trip that better meets your time, or your budget.

Need a little help getting started? Check out this video demonstration of how to use Google Transit.

Compare the Cost

• Each trip plan Google provides will display a cost comparison of your public transit trip plan with that of driving a car (based on Cherriots adult cash fares, and federal mileage rates).
• Since there are no transfers, each leg of a trip will add additional cost per boarding. The total cost should always be shown for each trip plan, but the least expensive plan may not be provided first.
• Cherriots Day Passes, Monthly Passes, and Discount Passes are available but Google does not provide this information in the trip plan.
• Save money by purchasing a Day Pass if you will ride three times or more in a day!

Problem using Google Transit?

• See if the problem is covered in the FAQ below (and pick up a few usage tips while you're at it).
• Keep in mind Cherriots' part is only to provide a data feed to Google Transit.  
• Any issues about the performance of the Google trip planner, the quality of the trip plans received, feature requests, etc., should be directed to the Google Transit Discussion Forum
• Any issues about bus service, our website or suggestions for the FAQ below, please provide comment on our feedback page.
• For route and schedule information call Cherriots Customer service at 503-588-2877 (BUSS) or visit the Schedules & Maps page.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Why do I get this message? "Sorry, we don't have transit schedule data for..." at the time and date you specified.
A: Service dates in the future are available only up to the end of the current month, or the end of the current published quarterly service, whichever comes first.

Q: Why don't the routes appear to follow the actual streets of the route?
A: By default, routes are simplified as straight lines from stop to stop, and do not follow the actual routing of the bus on the roads. This can be improved by providing Google with additional route shape information, and we are working to implement this in the future.

Q: Is there a way to use the map to choose an address/location, or do I have to make a trip plan by typing them in?
A: Yes, you can use the map to specify your origin and/or destination. Simply zoom in to the desired spot on the map, right-click your mouse there, and choose either "Directions from here", or "Directions to here". Once you have trip plan showing on the map (with green A and B map pins), the right-click options menu will change. You may then either drag them to a new location, or right-click either of them, and choose "Remove this destination".

Q: Do I have to know the exact address of where I'm going from/to?
A: No, just type in the street name, street & cross-street, or name of the location, and you will be prompted "Did you mean:" with a list of address matches to choose from. Once you choose one for each endpoint, a plan will appear if there is one available. If you don't find the match you are looking for, try again using fewer keywords. Remember, if you can find it on the map, you can right-click instead of typing (see the answer above for details)

Q: What's up with these (strange) walking directions?
A: The default option for Cherriots is "Less Walking." If you choose "Fastest (Best) Route", Google may direct you to walk to a bus stop with more frequent service rather than walking to the nearest bus stop. Walking directions and/or walking times can be inaccurate, impractically long, or seem to suggest walking across impassable obstacles. Google is working to improve walking directions to eliminate inaccuracies. Tip: To see the walking segment distances, pop open the details (under a "Walking" segment, look for the plus sign "+").

Q: Why aren't the stops/timepoints labeled on the map?
A: New stop features are "coming soon" from Google, such as stop names searchable in the map, icons on the map depicting each bus stop, and pop-up transit info for all stops on the maps.

Terms and Conditions of Use:

Cherriots strives to provide quality information through Google Transit, but cannot guarantee 100% accuracy. This is a new and experimental service that is still being refined both by Google and participating transit agencies. It is recommended that riders double-check all suggested trip plans from Google with Cherriots published schedules, and holiday service.   Please also see the Google Transit Terms and Conditions.