4 ms·
The underlying issue is that some agencies can't for some odd reason or another give out their data. There is either some archaic policy in place or for some hi
by jbermudes 15y ago
The underlying issue is that some agencies can't for some odd reason or another give out their data. There is either some archaic policy in place or for some historical/contractual reason the data isn't actually owned by the agency but instead by some contractor that provides the technology to generate the data. Some smaller agencies might not even have a department that is aware of that issue/possibility because they once again subcontract it all out and the contractor isn't going to suggest to release data for free to get free projects.
The best way to change that is to request it at the local level. If local developers put pressure on their transit agencies then that will help speed up the process.
- apievangelist 15y agoI'm working on deeper stories along these lines. Many of these agencies have signed into extremely long, and closed contracts, that give away ownership of "our" data.
- ajays 15y agoI agree. A lot of times the contractor who built the system will either (a) see the value in the data, and put in a clause walling it off, or (b) try to obfuscate the data so it's not easy to get to, so that they'll get more money to free the data. SF's MUNI had a huge mess on its hands with the whole NextBus thing. Eventually the developers prevailed, but this is SF, where you can't throw a stone without hitting some developer. Imagine the situation in not so tech-heavy cities.