If things look a little greener around here this April, there's a good reason. Our editorial staff is busy expanding the ideals of Earth Day into a month-long celebration of energy conservation, alternative transportation, recycling tips and about a million ways you can be a better friend to the planet. Welcome to Green Month, Milwaukee.

The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) has agreed to contribute information to Google Transit's trip planning service to offer Milwaukee County bus passengers an easier way to plan their bus trips.

I say it's about time.

"The trip planner allows MCTS to further its goal to connect the community to bus transportation," said Anita Gulotta-Connelly, MCTS managing director. "We are excited to be able to offer, at no charge, an easy means for our customers to plan their route online."

Unless you're a regular bus rider, knowing which route to take can be confusing. This new tool makes it easier. To access the tool, to MCTS Web site at RideMCTS.com or to google.com/transit. To use the trip planner, riders enter the starting point and destination, either as an address or business name.

Users can also customize their itinerary by selecting the date and time of the trip. An itinerary based on MCTS bus schedules will be displayed in Google Maps mapping service, and includes information on route numbers and locations, schedules, transfer information and return trips.

And, because Google Transit is a fully-integrated feature of Google Maps, public transit directions appear as an alternative when users search for driving directions within the MCTS service area.

MCTS is one of several transit systems nationwide participating in Google's Earth Day Challenge to activate by Earth Day.

"We are delighted to have the Milwaukee County Transit System as a part of Google Transit, especially as a part of our Earth Day initiative. We hope this will encourage more use of MCTS services and be a useful tool for residents and visitors alike," said Tom Sly, new business development manager at Google.

Next, Milwaukee, let's build innovative rail and get it on Google Transit too.