Global search enterprise Google is set to launch an update to its Maps service that will see public transportation routes become highly detailed, and will include timetables and journey information for buses and trains, as well as other methods of public transport.
News suppliers understand that the update will only be available in the UK. It will allow users to find and plan a route using public transport, with the service able access a database containing daily departure times for buses, trains, ferries, the tube, and even trams.
The company has described this initiative as the largest public information integration that it has undergone anywhere in the world.
Following the upgrade, Google Maps will tell users when the next departure is and how many stops they are from their destination. It can also tell them whether or not there are multiple changes in the journey, and how far from the next stop they are.
This move may take a lot of the uncertainty out of public transport, which could come as a big relief to those who use it. Users will be able to compare routes and decide on their preferred or most convenient journeys.
In order for this update to be possible, Google formed a partnership with Traveline, which collated data from approximately 1,500 private transport operators, including Centro and National Express.
The update will see public transport information available on the Google Maps app for Android and iPhone users, and those who use the service on desktop computers.
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