Google Maps Adds Transit Crowdedness Predictions and Live Bus Delays
Google Maps now uses historical data to predict how crowded buses and trains will be, while also introducing live delay tracking for buses in nearly 200 cities worldwide.
Google Maps introduces a new feature that predicts how crowded buses, trains, and subways will be during a journey. The app taps into historical ride data to give commuters a heads-up about whether their next transit vehicle is packed with people or has plenty of available seating.
This crowdedness prediction tool rolls out initially across 18 cities in the UK, with plans to expand to almost 200 cities worldwide on both Android and iOS devices. Alongside this feature, Google Maps starts providing live delay information for buses in locations where local transit agencies do not already share that real-time data directly with Google.
The live delay feature tells users exactly how late their bus is, how long they need to wait, and offers more accurate travel time estimates based on current traffic conditions. By showing exactly where the delays occur on the route, Google Maps helps commuters better estimate their arrival time or quickly find an alternative path to avoid gridlock.