Recently I found that my Routesy app basically stopped working. Here's the reason, as stated by its developer:
http://www.routesy.com/
Where is Routesy and why is it broken?Routesy was a reminder that that if the current mayoral administration had introduced some good, much of it was was in transit infrastructure and administration. But as usual with our Absentee Landlord, something has to put in it somewhere to leave a sour taste.NextBus Information Systems, not to be confused with NextBus, claims that an agreement from 2004 gives them full authorization to collect $1 per download from any application developer. Even after I offered to make Routesy free, they still insist on collecting a fee.
The application was broken due to an unrelated change by NextBus, and I promptly submitted an update, but NextBus Information Systems contacted Apple to demand that they reject the update. NextBus, the company that provides the data located at nextbus.com, has not asked my application to be removed from the App Store.
I am committed to defending the position that transit data is paid for by taxpayer money and that no third party has the right to charge an arbitrary licensing fee for the data. I am currently reviewing my legal options for fighting this take-down demand.
In the meantime, please follow the Routesy feed on Twitter for updates as they happen. You can also let Muni know what you think by contacting them at 415-701-4500.
Thank you for your support.
Steven Peterson
