The "Mad Scientist" blog!


This is a "mad scientist" blog in that I collect speculations, inventions and wonky, weird and other ideas that come to mind. I like to think that all of them are out or even far out but on the possible side of it.

They are mostly my own creation but you are invited to submit some yourself if you own them or are your originals. On the same token please note that all content and in particular original ideas are copyright by their respective authors.

If you like it, comment; you don't like it then comment too. But keep it professional.





Saturday, January 16, 2010

BUSINESS IDEA: personal route planner for public transport

Hi,
  given the existence of travel agencies it appers rather strange that a true independent path buyer does not exist. Most online companies are only working with one travel medium ( train, bus, car rental or plan ) and only resort to a switch when there is nothing else available. None of the agencies appear considering taxi companies -- I am waiting to be contradicted!

  The idea is a bazaar style system where I would put up a trip (start, end), frequency, number of person to travel and times. Transport companies would note what services do overlap with they cover area and could put in an offer. For example a trip from my place of living to my place of work. I would need to be at work around 9am and would leave work at around 5pm. Adding of course either location companies can then look if a location is within their area of coverage.

  The planning would be as such: the taxi company would state that it can drive me (and how fast) from home directly to work for a price, or drive me to the nearest train or bus for another price. The bus company would say suggest to take bus stop X at and what times are available. A train company would do the same. Perhaps a car rental place would offer me a car for a week for this distance at a discount price. Maybe a private person would let me ride for the cost of the fuel.

  The individual agencies would offer a travel vector which then will be calculated to several routes. The business would then offer these routes to the requestor and for a fee would book each item. You may be able to set a price, a preferred travel medium or choose the fastest route. It probably is an app that fits nicely into the mobile world.