(Joshua Roberts/Reuters)Metro’s ability to offer virtual tours of its stations could cost more than half a million dollars when the system is set up for the entire system, according to an online document listing bids received last month. The transit agency unveiled the StationView virtual tours earlier this month, saying the technology would allow people with disabilities, visitors and casual users to suss out the stations’ layouts through Google Maps or the agency’s website. When the tool was announced Feb. 1, several Metro watchers on Twitter gave the service the thumbs down, with many questioning its cost. Why did Metro pay a contractor $163,000 to create "virtual tours" for 6 @Metrorailinfo stations and add them to Street View? pic.twitter.com/CKoTyhueh1 — 💯% 8 car trains running on 3 minute headways (@HeadwaysMatter) February 8, 2019There are at least 3 was #wmata could have gotten "virtual station tours" besides paying a contractor $25,000 per station.

Source: Washington Post February 13, 2019 10:52 UTC