Hop Stop San Francisco
Hop Stop Main Website
Hop Stop is an online trip planner -- giving you step-by-step instructions on how to reach destinations in San Francisco via Muni public transit.
Using your computer or your mobile device, you simply enter your starting point and your destination, and Hop Stop provides all of the in-betweens:
- Which bus or train to catch and where
- Where to get on and where to disembark
- Precise directions on walking distances
Using Hop Stop couldn't be more intuitive. The interface is clean, and site navigation is simple.
At the website, click on the San Francisco tab, and you'll land on the Directions page. Enter your starting point and your destination, then specify a few parameters:
- Do you want to travel by rail only? Bus only? Rail and bus?
- Would you prefer more transfers and less walking, or fewer transfers and more walking?
- What is your departure time?
Once you've designated your preferences, click Get Directions. Hop Stop renders a page with step-by-step instructions.
Hop Stop directions appear with symbols indicating which portion of your trip will be via bus, train or on foot.
Walking sections of your trip, for instance, are shown with a silhouette of a person walking. Bus and subway lines are indicated with symbols and the line number. Some routes provide a 360-degree image of your location.
To use Hop Stop mobile services, you must first complete a short, free registration at the Hop Stop website. Include your mobile number or PDA information.
Once registered, you can use Hop Stop mobile service in three different ways:
- Using your PDA, go to Hop Stop's PDA page to get directions and maps
- From your mobile telephone, send e-mail or text message -- Hop Stop will reply with directions
- You can also phone Hop Stop's toll-free number from your mobile: Speak your location -- Hop Stop will send your itinerary
Specific instructions are available with your personal Hop Stop account once you're registered.
Hop Stop will remember locations you've previously used. Choose these locations from a pull-down menu.
Users of Hop Stop can rate their favorite or least-liked transit lines for others to review.
Hop Stop also has a database of popular spots in the city. Just type in the name of a restaurant, bar or local attraction. If it's in the database, the address will automatically appear.
Businesses may add their location to the Hop Stop site using a pop-up form.
Hop Stop San Francisco has been in town since June of 2006.
Chinedu Echeruo, founder of Hop Stop, describes the service as Mapquest . . . but for subways and buses. Echeruo created Hop Stop to fill a trip-planning void in New York City (2005), then launched Hop Stop in four additional cities: San Francisco, Boston, Washington D.C. and Chicago.
Hop Stop continues to add cities, with several currently in beta.